Love Story

I've often heard Builder Bob tell the kids that there are any number of people on the planet that one could fall in love with, marry, and live happily ever after in their arms. I tend to agree with this statement. Having said this, I'd like to share our love story.
I'll first lightly touch on my pre-BB dating experiences. Lets just say that I dated a number of guys that I felt could bring me happiness and that I could envision myself married to. Some of these guys came very close to sealing the deal. But clearly,in retrospect, obstacles were thrown in our path, or a confirmation never came and I found myself moving on. I think its safe to say that I dated quite a bit during my college years. Im sure I felt I knew what I wanted in a man who was to be my husband. This story begins in the winter of 1979, where I found myself heading home for the Christmas break after yet another mutually agreed upon 'break-up' (from a guy named Pepper )I planned to regroup and earnestly began to contemplate going on a mission. This is where my head was when I returned to Logan to begin spring quarter.
The stage is now set for the saga of Builder Bob stepping into my life. It was very shortly after returning to Cache Valley that the phone rang in my off-campus apartment. It was an unfamiliar voice on the end of the line. He introduced himself and said that we had a mutual acquaintance that had given him my phone number. Cynthia attended my ward and also was a study partner and friend to Builder Bob in the landscape department.
As Builder Bob tells it now- he had spotted me several times on campus the preceding semester and his interest was peaked. (I was still on the arm of Pepper) I guess he got the nerve up to call after the break. (When I was again 'single' and available) After introducing himself and making these explanations he asked,
"How'd ya like to go out on a blind date?"
"Sounds good to me," I reply.
BB had/has a sexy, appealing voice over the phone, plus a confident phone presence. (he's always been hard to resist.) He also had creative plans for this date!!
"Would you like to go snowshoeing up in the canyon?" he asks.
"ummm....sure!!" I say.
(this of course had to be BEFORE I developed an aversion to snow and cold!!)
"Great! I"ll pick you up on Sat. morning, about 10:00. Dress warm!!" advises BB.
"Sounds great! See ya then." I say with our goodbyes.
Sat. morning rolls around and there's a rap at the door. I open it and look up into the face of a handsome, TALL man! Wow, the height was an unsuspected bonus!! And off we head to the mountains. I remember it being spectacularly bright and sunny and even a bit warmer than I expected. It was a picture perfect morning. He was driving a fun little sporty car that I was quite unfamiliar with. But it sure was a sweet little thing, and I could tell that BB enjoyed it too. Who wouldn't!!??




Anyway, my memories are a little vague about how long we snowshoed together. But I do remember that when we were done, he suggested we go and explore some caves he knew about that were located in the same canyon. And that's what we did next. We stopped and enjoyed that side trip into the heart of a mountain, via cold, dark caves-(a little drama added there.) The picture I'd like to have you create in your mind of the two of us, would be one of ease and compatibility right off. It was easy being with this guy. We could talk and we could be quiet and we seemed to suit one another. Driving home after our adventures in the canyon, he decided that he still hadn't had his fill of me.
"So, how'd you like to go to a local stake dance tonight?" he asked. "I know where there's one going on in town later this evening."
I reply, "Sounds fun to me." ( or some such positive response.)
He drops me off so that we can ready ourselves for the next event. You know- that gussy up thing we do. Dinner and dancing were next, along with lots of talking. The next 6 days are ?pretty much a blur. I'll just have you know that we were pretty much inseparable. We spent every waking moment together- when we weren't actually in class that is. BB was in the throes of creating detailed landscaping projects. It seemed that landscape students were always on a deadline. I spent many an hour sitting at the corner of his drafting table watching him work and getting some studying of my own done as well.
Somewhere along the line it was decided that we were going to take his little white sports car for a drive to Salt Lake for the weekend. (just 5 days after the day we met) We were just going to go south to get away from school for a few days and stay at his home in Holiday. No big deal-really!! It didnt feel like a big deal!!
Did I have any idea where I was headed?! I think not!! I found myself being introduced to a family like no other I'd ever known before. 7 kids for pete sakes! All coming and going, though not everyone was still living at home. There still seemed like plenty of them around. Here was a family that had been taught important gospel principles for forever and a day. Comfort and joy was found within their walls. I remember feeling bedazzled! I wanted "in" on something like this! (Not knowing or believing that the dreams I was just beginning to formulate in my wee head were about to come true that very evening. But...Im getting ahead of myself.

Now begins the section of the story that my own children MUST ignore!! My kids had better not behave as their parents did at this point in time!! Listen to your mother and SKIP THIS PART KIDS!!! Go to the next paragraph immediately!
All we did was go for a walk.
10 minutes into this walk the Spirit whispers to me that this handsome man who is holding my hand, and that I've only known for 6 days, is going to ask me to marry him!! And....I was to say YES, that I would marry him!
Apparently, this is the exact same prompting that BB received at the exact same time! (significant side note: anyone who knows BB, knows Builder Bob doesnt make quick - rash- decisions-ever!! He's made it a science to shop around,to think things through thoroughly. His mantra: "Shop and Compare! Think Twice-no- Think Thrice-before doing anything!! Better yet- Think about it for weeks!! "
Truly it was turning into a heavenly night. There must have been a shift in the space/time continuum! Builder Bob was suddenly down on one knee on the asphalt of a dimly lit street, popping the question. Without the hesitancy that you'd think we should both be feeling- we found ourselves engaged!!! It was an exhilarating and surreal experience all wrapped up into one memorable night.
And it was late!!
BB's folks were home, very worried about where we could be and what we were 'up to'!!
I love to hear BBs' folks interpretation of what happened next. They so enjoy telling anyone who's interested-that as soon as we entered the house, and floated down the hall and into the kitchen- there could no longer be any semblance of secrecy!! They profess to knowing immediately that something BIG had happened!

"Whats up you two?" they asked with inquiring eyes.

"You both were glowing. You were radiating joy!" Which, Im sure were true statements. What did they really think of it all, or more specifically, what did they think of me and this turn of events.? Did they wonder if I had beguiled their oldest son in some way? The answer to this is that I'll NEVER know if ever there was a negative thought! Not once in all the years we have been married have I felt anything less than a part of this great family! Not Once!! (I do have it on good account though that sweet sister Cathy did take BB aside with some immediacy, and asked him point blank, whether or not he'd gone crazy! But then again who could blame a protective big sister for not questioning her kid brothers' sanity? He brings home a rebel California girl and goes ahead and asks her to marry him--after only knowing me for 144 hours! Any rational person would have to wonder whether he'd lost his marbles on the drafting tables of USU. Looking back now, all I can say is thank heavens the Spirit stepped in. It gave us strength and determination when we could have found ourselves second guessing our own sanity too. Next up--returning to Logan and calling my folks with this bright, and startling news. GULP! But oh my were my folks wiser than I was going to give them credit for being. Instead of prejudging or making hurtful, derogatory remarks, questioning me and my decisions, they were instead immediately accepting. (Im wagering good money that they Spirit touched them too. How else could such news be received with such calm and reassuring attitudes?) Wow what an esteem booster I had coming to me through the telephone lines! I felt their trust in me! It was so cool how smoothly it all went. Once again I was learning just how great my folks were!

Now I really slip into what I'll call the 'love fog' stage of things. We danced, played, talked, ate, kissed (a lot!) planned for the future, walked all sections of campus and stared a lot into each others blue eyes. Then it was suddenly time to fly home with Builder Bob ( who, by the way, had no goal or dream of becoming a builder- except for beautifying yards) to meet the parents face to face. We boarded a plane and headed west- with my dear, sweet Grandpa Clemenson accompanying us. (we must have needed a chaperon? te he te he)

I know that my folks couldn't help but be impressed with the wonderful man Heavenly Father hand-picked for me to spend the eternities with. We all hit it off well in sunny California and had fun becoming acquainted.

Then suddenly it was June!! The date had been set, invitations had been mailed and we were ?suddenly headed to the foothills of Oakland and the beautiful Temple there, to be sealed for time and all eternity, surrounded by friends and loved ones. We became husband and wife!! With stars in our eyes and a lilt in our step we stepped out into the world as a pair-ready to take on whatever might come our way.
I can honestly say I've NEVER had a single moment of regret- EVER. No questioning here, only gratitude for being blessed with the very best builder on this glorious planet.


Another fun side note- 25 years later we revisited the campus of USU to deliver Anna into the wiles of college life. BB just couldn't resist the opportunity to 'seal the deal' once again- with the traditional kiss across the A!

GO AGGIES!!!
(thank you sweet young ladies and fellow bloggers for inspiring me to write this story)

whew!