5 Years Ago Today...

. . . my sweetheart and I stood in front of the Salt Lake Temple.

He knelt down on one knee and presented me with a ring. I said yes.

Every Christmas since then, I reflect back on that special day. I remember being nervous, excited, thrilled, dreamy-eyed, and happy. I was very infatuated with Brad at the time. He was so charming and sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. He was a tease, too, especially when he asked me to marry him on Christmas Day 2005. Here is how I remembered that day:

Christmas morning: Children laughing and opening presents; Brad's parents and sister sitting on the couch; Brad's younger, half-asleep brother sprawled out on the living room floor; I sat next to Brad on the warm carpet in my new pink pjs and white robe, opening presents. I remember my heart pounding and my stomach fluttering when I spotted a small burgundy box-- exactly the kind you would expect a shiny ring to hide in.

A sigh of relief escaped me when I realized that I was not the receiver of the gift. It wasn't that I didn't want one of those boxes in particular, I just did not want Brad asking me to marry him while I was dressed in pjs. That was why I was relieved to hear the box was Margaret's, Brad's mother. Inside was a new ring-- a gift from Brad's father. My moment of relief was short-lived, however, when Brad announced there was another small present hiding under the Christmas tree. He pulled out a burgundy box, an exact match to the one Margaret had. My head was screaming, 'No, no, no!', but I took the box politely, and began opening it slowly. I remember hoping it was a pair of earrings, or a necklace, or maybe even a pendant-- not an engagement ring. What I DID find inside was something I was totally NOT expecting! I couldn't help it--- I burst out laughing! A little white bottle of Del Sol nail polish came tumbling out of the box into my hand.

I remember playing the scene of me opening that box in my head over and over again that morning. Obviously the little burgundy box must have held something different at some point in time. Where was my real Christmas present?

Around lunchtime, Brad asked me if I wanted to go visit his friends, the Hills, for a few minutes. I agreed to that, and we walked hand-in-hand down the street to Dan and Marnee's home. While we were there, we talked and laughed, and it felt like a real visit. Then all of a sudden the laughter died down and the comic atmosphere went away. Brad, in a more serious tone, began delivering a speech. He spoke about how much I meant to him, and how much the Hill family meant to him, and that it was only right that they be there while he presented me with a special gift. Dan was staring at the floor the whole time Brad spoke--- no look of surprise or curiosity on his face. That's when it hit me-- they had rehearsed this before I came! Dan and Marnee knew Brad was going to ask me to marry him! Brad and Dan rose out of their seats and walked into the kitchen. Brad pulled something out of the cupboard and hid it behind his back. An image of an empty burgundy box came to my mind instantly. He walked over to me and knelt down at my feet, beautiful words pouring out of his mouth the whole time. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to propose to me. I was totally and completely convinced. I remember the last few words that escaped his mouth before he revealed his gift to me. "Becky, it is with a full heart that I present you with.... these gloves!" Out from behind his back came a pair of black gloves. That completely floored me! I couldn't stop laughing! I was completely fooled!

By the end of the second trick, I knew that Brad had at least one more in store for me, so I was on guard. He drove me the Jordan River Temple. We got out of the car and took a few pictures outside the gate. I knew he wasn't going to ask me to marry him there, so I flat out told him that he had a pair of socks hiding inside his car. Sure enough, he pulled an adorable pair of white Christmas socks with kitties on them from under his seat. I wasn't fooled that time!

We got back in the car again and began driving. I could tell we weren't heading back to his home, so I asked him where we were going. "You'll see," he told me with a mischievous grin. I knew there were only two places he would take me to next: This Is The Place Monument, or Temple Square. We ended up at Temple Square. I knew this time was the real deal as he pulled out a poem he had written for me after we finished parking. It was a beautiful love poem which brought tears to my eyes. We walked to temple square hand-in-hand. I had my camera with me and began taking pictures of the Christmas lights. It was my first time seeing the lights on Temple Square, and I was enthusiastically taking as many pictures as possible.

We went to see the Christus statue and the Nativity scene. Each time we finished seeing something new Brad asked me if I was ready to leave. I told him no. Finally, I knew our visit was nearing the end, so I asked Brad if we could see the front of the temple one last time so I could take some more pictures. As we walked toward the front, Brad reached into his pocket and something round and shiny fell out and rolled on the ground. He knelt down and picked it up. Looking up at me he asked if the shiny object was mine. I looked closely at it and saw it was a quarter. I said no, that it was his and fell out of his pocket. He told me I could have it anyway.

We continued walking to the front of the temple. The temple and lights looked gorgeous gleaming in the Reflection Pool. I took some more pictures. It was cold and chilly, but it was nice having Brad's arms wrapped warmly around me. He looked into my face and asked me one last time if I was ready to leave. I told him I was ready. That was when he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, said yes. We shared our first kiss in the glowing light of the Salt Lake Temple. It was perfect!

Five years have come and gone, and the budding feelings of romance have definitely grown with time. I love my husband more today that I did Christmas Day, 2005. He is my best friend, my significant other, my soul-mate, and my eternal companion. I am so glad I said yes.