Part one: slightly before I knew him
I lived with my grandparents and was working 8 hours everyday. I didn't have time to do much "hanging out" and in fact on my mission, I had decided, most "hanging out" was a waste of my time. For some strange reason, I got asked out on a TON of dates during this time. Most people would think, oh you lucky girl! I never go on dates! Well, let me tell you, the whole moderation in all things-- It is true.
Two dates at least every week was the way things were going. I was stressed because I went out with a lot of guys, but there comes a point, if they aren't having the same goals as you, you have to say, "sorry, I am not interested." Which stinks, because no one likes being rejected and quite frankly I don't like telling people no.
My cousin Heather would always come to grandma's house and say, CAMILLE, I know the perfect guy for you, would you mind if I gave him your number? I was completely fine with that, because of anyone, Heather wouldn't put me with some crazy man, so I was confident in her choice. Time passed though, and I didn't get a call...I was living my life though- so it wasn't a big deal.
Dating was frustrating, I found people that I thought were the men of my dreams, only to be hit with feelings of caution, or confusion, or doubt.
One day, I was so confused and frustrated with these feelings that I was having that I started praying to my Heavenly Father- I told him the desires of my heart. All I truly wanted was to return to live with Him again. I wanted to feel that desire from the one I was dating as well, and know that we could be an awesome team to get back to the celestial kingdom.
Part Two: The phone call
Remember that boy that Heather wanted to set me up with? Well, while I was dating another boy, I finally received a call from him. He left a message explaining that his name was Justin, and that he would like me to call him back so we could get to know each other.
I was freaking out, again, I didn't want to turn someone down, but when you have a boyfriend, you can't go out with other people. It is just weird, so I buoyed myself up for the most awkward phone call of my life! Or so I thought it would be.
He introduced himself, and then said "I am sorry, but can I tell you a cool story?" I said sure, and so he told me a missionary experience he had just had that day with his friend. He was so enthusiastic about it- it was contagious, almost familiar. I wanted to meet this guy....but woah.....wait, I was dating someone. So we talked about sharing the gospel, and things that had been different since we got home from our missions, and then it finally came to that point.
"I was wondering if you had plans this weekend," he said.
"Um, I actually do," I said, all the while thinking, oh here we go, here is the rejection moment--he is going to be so mad, or so awkward, or something bad will happen.
"Oh good, I have plans too, ha ha, how about next weekend," he responded.
"Actaully, I am so sorry, I have to tell you, I just barely started dating someone, and so I can't I am sorry."
(beat)
"Well, CONGRATULATIONS!" he said. "You two just took that conference council and went to it didn't you!"
I was stunned, I didn't expect that reaction at all, I didn't know what else to do but laugh and admire this guy.
"Well, you know," he continued to say, "If it doesn't work out, you can always call me."
And I knew if it didn't work out, I definitely would be calling him.
Part 3: It didn't work out
It didn't work out with this other guy, and so come Easter time I sent out a mass text to all of my friends wishing them a Happy Easter, and advising them not to eat too many eggs. I just happened to send the same text to Justin, and he responded. Within two weeks we had gone on our first date.
Part 4: The easiness of the way
Dating Justin was so different than any other guy I had ever dated. He actually had someone in the running there with him the first couple of weeks, but Justin went out of his way to let me know that he was interested, and so he pulled far ahead in my mind.
He brought me flowers in a pot to grow, and he invited me to plant things with him in his garden. We spent almost everyday together, and I came to admire his excitement for missionary work, growing things, and living the gospel to it's fullest.
After three months of dating, He was poking at the idea of getting married, and really, had it been different circumstances, that would have freaked me out a little. But! My experience with him had been so different that with the other guys I had dated, I knew that this would be a good thing, and that we would make a great team in making it back to Heaven.
We have been married for almost four months and they have been so great and rewarding. I have learned how to better communicate what I feel, and share my life with another person who's one greatest desire is to make it back to Heavenly Father. I have 5 new sisters, and two new parents who inspire me so much.
I will take some space and put the things that make me love Justin so much, you can skip over these if you wish, or perhaps you are already asleep drooling on your keyboard, but here they are.
He loves God
He knows that he holds the priesthood, and tries to honor that always
He vacuums the floor for me to suprise me
He tells me everyday that he loves me, and on particularly good days, he tells me particular reasons.
He loves others, and has a great desire to serve
Although he is a tease to his younger sisters, he loves them a lot and loves making them laugh
My parents love him
He takes out the trash
He likes matching his ties with what I am wearing on Sundays
He LOVES working. Really, he loves it.
He is always trying to understand me, I am a woman, and that is hard sometimes, but he tries.
He reads the scriptures to me in the morning when I am in a hurry.
He loves my family, and loves spending time with them
He speaks Chinese :)
He makes the best rice, and offers to cook on those days that I was dreading doing so
Today, he came home from school to bring me some sprite for my upset stomach
And of course the list goes on. I am so grateful for the life that I have. It isn't easy, but I am learning, it gets better the more you grow. It gets harder as well, but life is rewarding, and we only have this time :)
Part 6: Valentines Day for everyone else
Valentine's Day for me is a time to show love to all those around you, not just a significant other. I want to thank all of my friends and family who have sent messages with their inspiring moments, have said prayers, and even those who have helped me to become who I am. I love you all, and am so grateful for good people in my life.
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