Our Story

I have decided it is time to combine our blogs now that we are officially married. Our other blogs will still exist, but we will be posting to this one from now on. For our first post on our new blog I thought it would be best to tell our story. I haven't written too much about some of my experiences so I feel that it is finally time. I will try to keep it short and simple without too much detail, but I feel some things need a little explanation. Just a warning I may get a little mushy but here goes...

I am going to back track just a little bit to before Jared and I were together. Some of you may or may not know this, but both Jared and I were in previous marriages before we met each other. He was married for 4&1/2 years and I for 6&1/2. We both went through our divorces around the same time, his was about 6 months prior to mine. I can't speak for Jared, but this was one of the most difficult trials I have ever experienced. I always knew I would have trials, but never imagined divorce would be one of them. So after being with someone for over 7 years, I was thrown back into the single's scene. Let's just say I wasn't too excited about it. How was I ever going to meet someone that had everything I needed and wanted? And how were they going to accept that I was married previously? Along with these questions and a billion others, I started dating.

Through my dating experience I met a lot of nice guys, however right from the start I knew they weren't right for me. I was beginning to think I might need to settle and let some qualities go that I just wasn't finding. I remember many nights crying on my mother's couch because I had to go through the dating world again. I thought I would never understand of all things why divorce was one of my trials. I don't think I will ever completely understand some of the details of my divorce, however I now truly understand why I became single again... Jared.

I met Jared when I started attending a singles ward again. We actually met at a speed dating activity but never really started talking until we went on a trip down to Moab with a group of friends. After that it's history. Jared and I instantly fell in love. I was a little worried at the beginning because the more I found out about him, I realized he was everything I had been looking for and more and I really didn't want to lose him. Thank goodness he felt the same way about me.

On November 8th, 2008, I was married to my prince charming. He is my world. I have never truly felt this much joy and happiness in my entire life. I know Heavenly Father never left me alone while I was going through my divorce, however I had a hard time figuring out how I was ever going to recover. Heavenly Father has blessed my life more than I deserve.

A couple of weeks ago I gave a lesson in Relief Society and I talked about the principle of compensation. I found a quote given by Elder Wirthlin that describes this concept and brings me to tears. It reads, "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." I have already seen this principle applied in my life. Heavenly Father couldn't have found a more perfect man for me and I have cried many tears of joy because he is in my life.

Since Jared and I have gone through similar experiences, we really have a strong bond and trust with each other. I will never regret marrying the first time and I know I was supposed to be married to him, I cannot deny that. I learned and grew so much from that experience and I can honestly say I am a better person because of it. I am thankful for my ex-husband. He taught me so much about myself and we had a great time being married to each other. I would not be the person I am today without being married to my first husband. I am actually grateful for both my first marriage and divorce because of the life experiences they gave me. I never thought I would be grateful for my divorce, but knowing what I have now I would never change it.

Once again, I am thankful for the trials and blessings our Father in Heaven gives to us. Sometimes when it rains it pours, but after the flood comes the rainbow of blessings. I thank you all for your love and support through all the ups and downs in life. I truly love all of you. I can't wait for all the great times I am going to have with Jared, I couldn't be happier!