How it all began....

So Shawn and I will have been married for 9 years this upcoming month! And I have to say it has been an amazing ride so far, full of loops and unexpected turns, plenty of screaming kids and lots of laughs. Our love and friendship has truly grown, he keeps me entertained on a daily basis, and I am grateful to have him be the father if my children, and the love of my life!



Now I know this might not be the most fun post for others to read but I am gonna indulge myself and post this blurb I wrote about the night Shawn and I first met....

The night we met

“You're coming with me to the dance,and that is that!” Bethany said in a tone so matter of fact I knew any form of resistance would be futile.

So I sighed fine, and asked what time do you want to go?

8 0'clock sharp was the response, I'll see you then....click.....

The phone went silent so I hung up, Shook my head, and contemplated how I got myself dragged in to this, as I went through my closet trying to find some thing suitable to wear to the dreaded young single adult dance.

I HATED those things! And was amazed that I was allowing myself to be subjected to an evening of strange and awkward boys stepping on my toes and jiratting in a way reminiscent of someone having a seizure, and then trying to pass it off as a dance.

I wondered at the thought of really ever meeting any one with date able qualities at such a desperate event. But at the same time, here I was going, so I knew I couldn't be to quick to judge and generalize every one who goes to those dances. After all if people can meet and fall in love in bars or on line, a singles dance sounded just as likely. Not that I planed on meeting my significant other that night, as I was waiting for a missionary who I had promised to marry, (but we all know how that usually turns out) and I had always dreamed of finding that "some one" who could sweep me off my feet and carry me off into the sunset. And to be honest that missionary could barely hold my attention. So needless to say I was keeping my options open.

8 0'clock rolled around and I had finally decided on my outfit and was ready to go. I heard the familiar squeal of Bethany's old car pull up in front of the house and as I walked out the door I yelled “ I'm leaving and will be back by curfew” , but in my head i was hoping to be back much sooner.

I opened the passenger side door and couldn't help but crack a smile as I got in and saw the excitement on Bethany's face! As she said with all the enthusiasm of a child at Christmas “this is going to be so fun!” i laughed and said “ its just a dance.”

“Ah, but its also the first time in months that we have been able to hang out and I have a surprise for you!”Bethany beamed!

I felt a pang of guilt that i had been dragging my feet about going, she was right, with me being in the hospital and on so much medication, I had not been available to anyone. And the fact that I was actually going out was a big step for me.

“ So whats the surprise?” I asked.

“We're going to Togo's!!!” she laughed

Now, to most people a trip to a sandwich shop is not much of a surprise, but in high school it was my favorite place to go eat on a ditch day, not to mention that it was the first place me and Bethany went when I got my drivers license, and consequently almost died trying to get out of the parking lot. So the place had sentimental value as well as the best hoggies in the world! Plus it was right down the road form the church where the rest of our evenings plans were to resume.

So we get to the dance, and as usual there is only a handful of people standing in a clump in the middle of the room attempting to get their groove on to some incredibly obnoxious remix of some cheesy 80's song that no one liked to begin with. So I braced myself for a night of horror. Little did I know that my life would be forever changed in the next set of obscurely lame songs.

So after what seemed like an eternity of fast paced migraine inducing techno music, I was relived when a slow song started to play over the speakers and the lights dimmed to a cooler, calmer more relaxed atmosphere. As I headed for the refreshment table to get a watered down cup of punch, I noticed a boy walking towards me. His stride was confidant and focused, as if he was heading for someone he knew, and when he stopped in front of me I took a small step to the side to let him pass, however he did not, instead he looked straight at me and asked if I would like to dance. Shocked at the thought that he might be talking to me, as he was incredibly handsome and easily the hottest guy there. I looked behind me to make sure it was in fact me he was talking to. I felt my cheeks blush with excitement as i heard myself in a higher then normal voice say, “Sure, I would love to.”

As he took my hand I felt an energy rush through my whole body, it startled me, and before he could even tell me his name I knew I had found him, he was the one! Speechless at the thought I had found my future husband, I was relieved when he started to talk,

“My name is Shawn whats your name?”

“Alina” I said

“What was it?” he asked again

“Alina but its a hard name to remember so you can call me Al if you want.”

Shawn laughed a little and shook his head “No, no i will call you Alina it a much better name.”

I felt myself blush again. I was amazed that this tall, blond, blue eyed boy was able to make me feel so gitty! And I began to imagine myself pouring my heart out saying "Did you feel it too? We are meant for each other, its destiny!" and as I played out his reaction in my head, I decided to revert to the usual topics of first time dance conversation. (To avoid sounding like a total freak.) So instead I asked him where he went on his mission, which i guess was a bad call because the moment the words escaped my lips he stopped dancing for a second took a small step back and asked in a slightly irritated tone “Why do girls always ask that?”

Quickly I responded by saying “I was trying to figure out how old you were, and most RM's love to talk about there missions, I thought it was a safe topic.” I turned and blushed pathetically.

He laughed again and said “I am 22 and I went to japan.”

A little worried that our conversation wasn't going as smoothly as I had hoped, I decided I would let him lead the rest of the conversation from that point on. I don't recall all of the small talk we exchanged but I do remember the the way the he looked into my eyes as he spoke. And the way the disco ball reflected little flecks of light that danced across his face and illuminated his pail blond hair with just a hint of color. And how his lips were so perfectly shaped and full. And how I amused myself with the thought of what our first kiss would be like, at that moment I knew I was smitten.

The music abruptly ended, not ready to end our time together, or to lead myself on. I decided to ask, “So, did you come here with anyone?” I was totally expecting to hear the dreaded words yes, followed by some other girls name, but was relieved when the answer came back, “ my brother Mike and his friends made me come. He is the one in the hat and suspenders.” I immediately knew who he was talking about, as he had been swing dancing (rather well i might add) in the middle of the room. And stuck out like a sore thumb dressed head to toe in full swing attire among the untucked shirts and more casually dressed people there. “He is the one who pointed you out to me and told me i should ask you to dance.” I laughed and said “Well I should go thank him.”

So Shawn walked me up to his brother and introduced us,

“Nice hat” I said, or something to that effect.

“You swing really well, was that east coast swing?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Yeah, I am trying to learn the Lindy, Mike said in a voice that I could tell was excited and his face lit up as he then asked “Do you know how to swing dance?”

“I know a little, mostly west coast and some flips,” Then I turned to Shawn and asked the same thing .. “So do you swing dance too?”.... “No, that's Mike's thing. But i like the music.”

Just then a very vibrant red head cut in and jokingly told Shawn that “Maybe now they could get him to swing dance too,” Shawn shook his head and seemed to be slightly embarrassed at the idea. I smiled and said "I am not very good at it either. But its a good excuse to fall on top of each other." The red head smiled back at me and held out her hand as she said, I'm JoAnne. Smiling back at her I knew instantly this was a girl I could easily be friends with.

Just then Bethany came running up to me and in an out of breath way, said “Alina there you are , I have been looking all over for you, a bunch of us are going to go to Applebee's for drinks and appetizers lets go!,” (They were 50% off after 9pm, so it attracted the poor, perpetually hungry teen crowd like you wouldn't believe!)

Finally noticing my reluctance to leave she said... ”Oh, I am sorry. Was I interrupting?” I then introduced her to my new friends and she invited them to come with us. However I was a bit disappointed when I found that they had plans of there own for after the dance, and would not be coming. But Shawn did find a moment to ask me for my phone number, and I gave it with out hesitation. We said our "nice to meet you's and goodbyes", and Bethany and I headed for her car. And when we were out in the parking lot I grabbed Bethany and jumped up and down, still holding her arms (she sportingly jumped along) and asked “what?”

“I met the boy I am gonna marry!”

She laughed and said “I know but hes not coming home for another year.”

“No, no not him! I meant SHAWN! I am gonna marry that boy I know it!”

She gave me a sympathy smile and shook her head and said “We will see.”

A week later we were engaged, 5 weeks later we got married, and the rest is history!