In January of 1998, Tara and I were both at BYU but didn't know each other yet. I had a Book of Mormon religion class as the Joseph Smith Building (JSB). For those who don't know much about the JSB is the religion building, and there are study tables in a common area, however it's very quite, almost like a library. I had a free hour before the class, and sat down the first week of the semester to study. I looked up and was taken aback by a beautiful young lady sitting across the table from me. She was wearing a white button up shirt with blue jeans, had short brown hair, astoundingly beautiful eyes and a wonderful smile. I was smitten! The problem was, that I was here in this quite room and didn't get up the nerve to talk to her.
For the next few weeks, I looked for opportunities during this hour break to find her and maybe meet her. Days passed where she wasn't there, or I coundn't sit near her. The idea of just walking up to her and introducing myself in the middle of this very quite atmosphere was very daunting. Then one day I decided that I was going to meet her. I circled the building and found that she was sitting right outside my class in the hall. I made my way and found a seat right across from her and sat there trying to get up the nerve to say something. Right when I'm finally about to say something, a girl (Tara's roommate at the time) comes up and begins to talk to her, and talks to her for the next few minutes until class starts. So I go disappointedly to my Book of Mormon class.
My professor lectures on, as I ignore him sitting engrossed in thought about what to do next to meet this girl. Then I decide to do something completely immature (all though for some stupid reason at the time I didn't think so): I'll write her a note. I guess the idea of handing her something rather than walking up to her and talking seemed less daunting and an accomplishable task. So I wrote her the following note:
After class ended, I walked out of my class in into hers across the hall. I walked right up to her and held out the note and handed it to her, and I think just said "This is for you. Have a great day" smiled and walked out, hoping I wasn't sweating and that you couldn't see my heart beating. She took the note stuck it in her pocket and didn't read it until an hour later! Then she decided the next day after discussing it with her roommates a bunch to go ahead and email me. (Regardless to say, I was checking my email every hour). In her email, she asked me to call her. I did and we talked for a very long time that day, met the next day in person and had our first date that weekend. The rest of the story will get shortened to we fell in love in ways I'm still working to understand got engaged on March 31st (engagement picture below) and were married on June 26, 1998.
How grateful I am for Tara and the blessing she is to me. She has been perfect for me in so many ways that I feel that I would truly be lost with out her. Hopefully I have been half as good to her as she has been to me. So 10 years down, an eternity to go. Hope it continues to get better!
11 comments:
Congratulations Settles - That's a great milestone!
Oh, I remember the day of the note! And, of course, the WHIRLWIND of a courtship that followed. Those were the days. As one of the roommates consulted in the decision I feel a tad bit responsible. :) Congratulations, and yes your children are beautiful!
Hooray for anniversaries! This does seem like a great time of year to be married. :) I think it's terrific that you kept that first note.
That is so tender! I love the story and that you kept the note! And you both look so young in that picture! Probably cause you were! (Not that you are old now! I thought of yall several times today was going to call but I will tomorrow! I still will remember this day as the day I inherited Charlie!
Very cute story - I can't believe you wrote a note.
Congrats on 10 years - wow!
I think that it is pretty funny that Ellie (my little sister) remembers my anniversary because it was the day that she inherited my truck.
I cannot believe it's been ten years. I feel so old. I also cannot believe that you kept that note! Mark, you are such the romantic! Tara and I discussed this last night and she broke family rules of not dating someone for all four seasons before committing to the next step. Uh, I don't think you even made it thru one season. But, I do have a question for Mark; were you in QUIET library, in a QUIET atmosphere, in a QUIET place, or were you in a quite library, atmosphere and place? Yes, I know I am a smartass :) Ten years and four cute chitlins. So proud.
and one more thing, have you noticed Elle's new word? Tender. What is up with that?
I didn't notice "tender", but I notice that each sentence ends with an exclamation point! Definitely representative of Ellie :)
This is late, I know, but congratulations! :) The 10 year mark is a wonderful milestone! :) And I love that you kept that letter (and shared it on your blog).
As another roommate at the time, I remember it a little differently, Jess! I think we tried to talk her out of contacting a person that had to be a stalker!! ;) I am so glad it ended up so well! You have an amazing family, and 4 gorgeous babies!
Post a Comment