The reason for Jessie's "Yay"!

Date #19 was my favorite... and the reason for starting that whole thing in the first place. For me, with any big commitment I make -- buying a car, booking a holiday, dating a person exclusively -- I need to do enough research beforehand to save myself from "buyer's remorse".

So I did. I went out with a lot of really wonderful guys, and learned what I liked and what I didn't, what I consider an important quality and what I don't think really matters.

Anyway, Jared and I have dated for about 2 months since then, and 2 months before then, and most of the time in between all my other dates (which he knew about, by the way). We've never talked marriage, though a girl always hopes that's where it's heading (and if she doesn't, that's a sign right there to unplug and run)! So I hoped, but didn't really expect that he'd give me *this* on Monday night. :D

For Wendy

Lucky

My apologies to any followers of my '29 Dates'; I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted! So here's the update. Finally.

Date #19: 11 April
Jared, 22, musicologist student

As you know from Jessie's post, this day in history - April 15 - is notorious for such events as the sinking of the Titanic, the death of Lincoln, tax day, and my birthday. Oddly enough, it also happens to be the birthday of my date, Jared.

I met Jared while serving in the England Birmingham Mission. He says we met through his companion Elder Maggart, but I don't remember that; I remember meeting Jared as the new district leader in my second area. I experienced a lot while in that area - Welsh winters, Halloween, Christmas, "killing" my old comp, and training a new one. Through our 6 months there, we became great friends. We went our separate ways, and then, to our surprise, I was transferred to Leicester my last few months, as was he! He was my district leader for a second time, and it was fun to serve around each other again. We kept in touch after he went home, and my last companion and dear friend helped me realize that... I might actually like him more than just a friend! Wha?!? Never!

Anyway, long story short, we'd been on quite a few dates since December 2008, and decided we wanted to celebrate our birthday together. He goes to USU in Logan, so we celebrated while he was down for the weekend. He came to my house and made me one of my favorite homemade meals - cheese quesadillas. After dinner, I took him to Old Navy, and got him some great jeans for his birthday. From there we went to Cold Stone Creamery, where we each got free 'Like It' ice creams, just because it's our birthdays!! Awesome! Then we went back to my house and exchanged gifts (which is REALLY weird, because it's like Christmas... only, not).

As weird as it is that we share the same birthday, and a ridiculous amount of the same tastes in music, movies, food, and many other things, it's also really great to be with someone I get on so well with. He really is one of my best friends, and has been with me through thick and thin... (I hope that the future has a lot more 'thin' in it, at least where I am concerned. Ha ha.) And I hope the future has a lot of him in it, too.