A Christmas Story

Christmas 2008

We've already had two Christmases together, this man and I.

The first year, we were still dating (just two months in!), and I invited him to my parent's house in Pocatello to spend the holiday.  It was Christmas Eve 2008 and Kyle was sick and I was driving and the snow was snowy. 

Before we left, I figured this trip was either going to make or break our relationship, seeing as how we'd be spending more than an ample amount of time together. And then, you know, he'd be meeting my family (!) and he'd see me without makeup (!!)

After about two hours of driving, we realized that I had, indeed, missed the turn-off to Pocatello and we were well on our way to Boise.  Boise!  Boise=the other side of Idaho from where we were supposed to be.  So lame.  It had started to snow harder and we had to backtrack an hour just to get going the right direction again.  And this time we could only go about 40 mph on the freeway.  Kyle insisted on driving from that point on...  (and, you know, he still does most of the time).

Nothing had seemed to go right.  We arrived hours later than planned, Kyle was suffering from a cold, and the snow had gotten worse.  But the few extra hours in the car made for great conversation and lasting memories. 

It was being together that Christmas that made me fall in love.  He didn't know it at the time (maybe I didn't either?), but all those hours driving in the car, getting to know each other on a deeper level made me see him in a different way. 

More than just a boyfriend, more than just a fun guy, more than just a hottie. 

More than just a rock star at heart and a Boise State fanatic.

More than just a communication major.

More than just a basketball/baseball/Scrabble star.

That Christmas was especially great.  My parents loved Kyle and my mom nursed him back to health.  The snow was so deep, we bundled up and snowshoed around the neighborhood.  We built a snow cave in the backyard.  We made snow angels together.  We had a snowball fight.

So sometimes things don't go as planned: you make a wrong turn, the weather gets sucky, someone gets sick, someone else looks sick without makeup...  But sure enough, those times sometimes end up being some of the most memorable.  At least they are for me.

Merry Christmas, Kyle. 

Once upon a time we had a first anniversary

Because our anniversary was on Sunday, we celebrated the day before.

(and also the day of)

Kyle knows how much I love sleep and food and therefore the whole day long was planned around these, my two favorite events.  Oh, and also the temple.

After sleeping in late (thank you, curtains, for being so good at blocking out light), we spent the afternoon at the Mount Timpanogos Temple.  It was the most wonderfully peaceful way to spend the day together.

We had just a couple hours before our dinner reservations, so we went home to hang out.  I was rather enjoying Uptown Girls (rest in peace Brittany Murphy) when Kyle insisted that I help him sort through mail.  "Uh, I'm busy watching a chick flick!" I wanted to yell, but instead I just complained and complained and when I finally got to the kitchen table I noticed an envelope addressed to me, indicating that I was now on a treasure hunt and this was the first clue.

Boy am I ever a big fat jerk.

The clues were funny and sweet (just like Kyle!) and took me all over the house.  The last clue instructed me to put an address in the GPS and follow it.  So we did.  And guess where it took us?

The Home freaking Depot!

So if you were at the Home Depot at approximately 4:00 pm on Saturday night and heard a girl dressed in heels squealing with delight, I can now tell you that it was me and I was squealing because Kyle bought me a paint sprayer!

See how happy I am?

He really knows what I want.

(I have SO many projects for this baby!)

We then found our way to The Melting Pot, only the most delicious of deliciousness you could ever dream up.

The cheese was amazing, the entrees were amazing (lettuce wraps.... so so), and the chocolate was to die for.

I may have even devoured the chocolate by the spoonful.

And licked my plate.

We totally died.

This is Kyle in a post-fondue food coma.  Because I love him so, I let him watch the last half of the Boise State game.  That was half my gift to him.  The other half was the gift that came in the mail a few weeks ago that he prematurely opened all by himself.

This is what I got him. 

It's called Table Topics and it's a game of questions that you can ask each other.  Nothing fancy, really, but it was great because Kyle is always wanting to ask each other questions, but I hate coming up with things to ask.  We spent hours going through the questions and learned a lot about each other!

Sunday was our "real" anniversary and Kyle surprised me with roses!  I surprised him with pot roast and potatoes and my very first yeasty rolls which turned out pretty amazing, if you ask me. 

It's a good thing we had already celebrated Saturday because after dinner, I napped for hours.  And Kyle watched football.  It was pretty much a perfect day.

Tradition holds that you're supposed to save the top of your wedding cake and eat it on your first anniversary. 

We are not ones to break tradition, so out came the cake!

Kyle thought it looked like a top hat...

Feel free to laugh. I did.

After my 2 1/2 hour nap (can't you tell I just woke up?), we sliced up the cake and reminisced about our wedding day.  It was actually still pretty good, I was quite surprised.  The only problem with it is it's vanilla cake (Kyle's choice) and the chocolate filling was not nearly enough chocolate for my taste.  But, then again, I let Kyle pick out the cake for our wedding.  After all, I picked out everything else : )

Part Three: The First Date and a DTR

Part Three: The First Date and a DTR

When Kyle picked me up for our first date, I took careful attention to the car he was driving: 

Olderish. 

Honda. 

Clean. 

I concluded from this evaluation that he wasn't an egomaniac, was conservative with his resources, and favored classic, reliable vehicles.  But then what was I to think about the hula girl adhered to his dashboard?

We first sought out the elusive Hobbitville and then headed to Park City for dinner and shopping.  On our way up the winding mountain roads to Park City, I read to Kyle the notes I had made about interpreting a crazy dream I recently had.  (I love to interpret my dreams)  As a result, I got ridiculously car sick and closed my eyes so as to not throw up on the hula girl.  Kyle silently wondered to himself what was wrong with this girl and why are her eyes closed?  Is she praying? 

For dinner, we decided on a local pizza and noodle place.  Kyle gave the name "Whitesnake" for which to identify our order and posed for pictures while waiting in line.  We discussed serious matters of importance over bbq chicken pizza and dr. pepper. 

Park City was freezing cold in October, but we walked around the shops and took pictures with the local "residents."  (Kyle loves to pose for pictures.  It's one of his many redeeming qualities)

Later we watched a movie and I think he held my hand.

After three more weeks of dates and possible hand-holding, Kyle was driving me home when he asked, "So, can I be your boyfriend?"

"Sure."

And a relationship was born.

Part Two: The Accidental Non Date. Also, a real date?

Part Two: The Accidental Non Date.  Also, a real date?

Sunday night came along and one by one everyone canceled on our after Conference dinner plans.  Everyone, that is, except for Kyle.  He called me to see if he could still come over with the food he'd already prepared.  I was starving like unto death and so I agreed.  Besides, how could I pass up a free meal and a cute boy?  I mean really, I do have some standards here. 

Kyle brought apricot chicken.  I made a salad.  We talked for hours.  He looked through my pictures and asked me question after question.  I told him about the time I randomly got my belly button pierced on vacation and he explained to me what Boise State was and why I should love them.  I call this our first non date.  And it happened by accident.

Before Kyle left that night he asked me if I would go shopping with him sometime.  "Uh, I love shopping.  Of course I'd go" I replied.  And so we had plans to go shopping.  Just... shopping.

Later in the week, I called Kyle to tell him I found a location for Hobbitville (!) and he asks me, "Are you ready for the best date of your life?!?" 

Date?  We're going on a date?  I thought we were just shopping.

But really I was happy.

After it became clear we had a first real date approaching, Kyle found it to be a good excuse to send me messages via Facebook.

Kyle October 8, 2008 at 11:01pm

I am happy with my purchase of my camera. Will you be the first picture I take?

Kourtney October 9, 2008 at 8:39am

haha, sure whatever you say (although I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the FIRST picture you've taken with it)

Kyle October 9, 2008 at 9:17pm

Honestly I haven't taken a real picture yet. I'll bring my camera and we can take some cool pics. Maybe we will get stranded and then we can take pictures of us like half dead, then you can scrapbook them because you like to do that. You can cut out obituaries from the newspaper and tape them next to our pictures as stickers. A half death theme. Sound good? Hey when do you check your facebook not computer girl? Am I talking to Kourtney from the future who already bought one?

Kourtney October 9, 2008 at 10:02pm  

I get your messages sent to my phone. what are we doing tomorrow again? aside from taking death pictures

Part One: How We Met

I had a house full of bubbly twelve and thirteen year old girls and when I told them that Sunday is our one year anniversary, they demanded to see my wedding pictures.  While looking through our pictures one exclaims, "I'm so glad you like to kiss your husband!"
And I laughed.

So Sunday is our anniversary and to celebrate, I'm going to give you a multi-part narrative of how this all went down.  Enter Part One.

Part One: How We Met

This is Kristen. 
Kristen and I were mission companions on Temple Square and later became roommates.  I have Kristen to thank for all this because she is the one who introduced me to Kyle.

Kristen first met Kyle in college and years later (when she was my roommate) ran into him at a party and invited him to our apartment to hang out.  I was in the kitchen putting away groceries when I saw him walk in with Kristen.  Later, we bonded over both having double jointed knees and I let him sample the new hand lotion I bought.

The very next day, Kyle sent me a message on Facebook.
(What would we do without Facebook, I wonder?)

Kyle October 1, 2008 at 11:13pm
So....we are Facebook friends eh? This is a huge commitment. That means I get to write on your wall and know when you are in a relationship and look at pictures of you and know when its your birthday and read your quotes and all that good stuff. Are you sure you are ok with this. We are on our way to first base in the mormon culture. Actually Facebook is probably first base. Wow! Its been great so far! Ha ha

So sorry I talked your ear off on Tuesday night. I just like to ask questions. Sorry if I seemed nosey but I am really glad you answered all my questions. So I am coming over on Sunday after conference so you best be there. I know you are probably suppose to go check out hot boys at the mall with Sheri Dew but I think you should hang out with me and your roomies. We should maybe make homemade ice cream and play cards or do something cool. It pretty much could be the greatest day of your life. So what did you end up doing for your birthday?? Man I missed out. I could have jumped out of your cake. I could have either gave you the sexy 80's rocker outfit, or maybe the Human Resource teacher. Ha ha jk. I was running a special last month on the limited time Walmart Greeter outfit. Maybe next year eh? Should I pencil you in for an appointment next year?

(When I didn't respond fast enough to his first message, he came up with an excuse to send me another)

Kyle October 2, 2008 at 7:25am
Oh 1 more thing.....where did you say you bought your camera again and how much was it? I think I am going to buy one this weekend. Help a brotha out dog!

(Trying my best to play hard to get, I waited yet another day before responding) (I'm pretty sure this drove him crazy) (Which is exactly what I was going for)

Kourtney October 3, 2008 at 3:13pm

I bought it at RC Willey for like $200. I love it! I guess I'll be seein you sunday then. I think I'll be home... :)