How We Came to Date (it's precious, of course)

Jake and I met on the 30th of August in 2008.. so not even a year ago! This is an inspirational story so, a little background: at that time things in my life all seemed to be going horribly wrong. I'd loved someone for years that I had always thought I'd marry but had to break up with because he consistently lied to me etc., and had just moved to my new crumby apartment, into a city that I hate, simply because I felt like that was where I needed to be when I prayed about it, and my cousin Marisa brought me to a bonfire to attempt to cheer me up. It turned out to be Jake's house :)

Few people have a picture of the night they first met, but Jake and I can thank Jen Gumm for this one. I find it funny that Jake appears to be talking to himself and I am looking off into the distance :)

Anyway to make things short and sweet, the first time we looked at each other, I knew two things immediately. 1-that I felt a weird, twilight zone connection, 2- that he liked me (I'm not cocky, it was just Really obvious). But I had no idea that what was in store. I kept to myself for most the night. The first few times we hung out it was due to my cousin being diligent in keeping me from moping. Her boyfriend was one of Jake's friends and so because of that I saw Jake (and all the guys) a lot. He got my number and asked me on a date, and I did really like to be around him (he is way funny), but I was too involved in nursing my wounds, I vowed to never date anyone during the semester at least. But! Marisa orchestrated a group date, and when Jake said he didn't know who he'd take, Marisa told him I'd go, without checking for my consent. So what was I supposed to do other than go? Make things all awkward and tell him about my achy breaky heart?
We also have a picture to document this :) We went to Wingers and then to House Bunny with a ton of other couples. Jake fit all 6'6 of him inside this tiny spaceship. I remember thinking the date was awkward because I'd sorta dated one of Jake's best friends not all that long before. But I thought he was really fun, and, in his own silly way, very sweet so I was happy I went :)
Jake saw it fit to invite me to be a part of his, Marisa's, and Clay's very exclusive group, the "Iraqi Police". We took pictures at James and Lucy's "people of the streets" party, but don't ask what we were.. cause I think we all failed in that department ;)
It was a while before our next date, I was still really unsure because dating had rather traumatized me, but he seemed just so genuine and fun. On our first "just you and I" date he was so nervous, and I guess that endeared me to him even more. You could tell he was just Such a good guy. He picked me up and took me to Pizza Factory then to a Star lab, which didn't work out. Introduced me to the fam (it took me off guard) and we watched Flight of the Conchords. This is where our first kiss happened.. In a luv sac that is now a stinky dog bed. I tease him all the time about how un-cute that was, in my defense I did Not think he was even going to try to kiss me that night. The following morning I knelt down for a casual prayer, and, thinking of all my failed relationships, and the sadness they'd caused all around, I asked "Heavenly Father, should I even bother dating Ja-" But I couldn't finish because I was absolutely knocked backward by the force of the response. I'd Never received such an immediate or nearly so strong an answer to a prayer before, so, instead of being grateful, I was filled with suspicion, I closed my eyes again and asked "Am I going to marry this guy or something?" The good feelings contined to surge at me, but I ignored them, blaming them on the first question, unable to accept that yet. But, well, two and a half weeks after we MET he told me he loved me, and somehow it wasn't weird.. it just felt right for both of us. A month later we went to Disneyland for his birthday and when we got home, he started making marriage hints and I laughed. It should have been weird and way too fast, but it wasn't. I only felt bad for how quickly it was after my last relationship.
So, that might be a story that only I can see the Lord's hand in, but I wanted to share. Because I never would have moved to Provo without that prompting, and I never would have moved on without that answer to my prayer. My hubby came at a time I least expected it, and I never previously wanted to get married that young.. but I think even if I had been allowed to build a man for myself, he would have never compared to my hubby. I cannot help but see divinity in that, and well- I have to thank Marisa too :)