Chapter 2/May 27, 2014

I never really had any serious boyfriends.  Being raised as the youngest of six children I came as quite a surprise to my parents in 1979.  There are 14 years between the next oldest and myself.  By the time I came along I have very few memories of my brother Jeff living at home.  I was basically raised an only child, and because I spent a lot of time around adults it was adults that I learned to relate to the best.  I had also skipped a grade in school, so I may have appeared as being a lot older than I really was.  I didn't learn to drive until the end of my Junior year.  I began college as a young seventeen year old, and looking back I really wasn't ready.  I was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I have wonderful memories of my time as a young woman.  Spending time at youth conferences, girls camp, activities, and wonderful leaders are memories I will always hold dear.  My good friends were always those that I knew from church.  As far as school goes, I really only had one best friend from 3rd grade all through high school.  In fact this bestie ended up marrying my date whom I had asked to a girls choice dance.  (Whole other story!) I felt uncomfortable with teenagers at the time I was one, however, I really do enjoy teenagers now that I am grown.  

I'm not exactly sure why I felt uncomfortable around my peers.  I never wanted to go to parties, "hang out" in groups, go to games, or dances.  I never was asked to a school dance.  No prom or homecoming for this girl.  This never really was a problem for me while I was in school because my parents wouldn't have allowed me to date anyway until I was sixteen.  I did go to two girls choice dances during my senior year, but the boys I went with were "just friends."  I always did relate to the boys in school better than the girls.  I hate drama.  Still to this day I can't stand gossip or people who back stab.  If you are fake or just a bitch, then that's fine for you; go ahead and live that way.  I'm in no position to tell you otherwise, however, kindly stay out of my life.  Since girls tend to have the more "dramatic" personality, I tended to get along better with they boys.  Don't misunderstand that comment however, the boys always made it clear to me they were just my friends. No puppy love or romantic feelings ever came my way. I was the girl that knew sports, played sports, knew a thing or too about cars, and didn't mind getting dirty.  Around the girls I was not comfortable in my own skin.  I felt they were always judging me, looking at me, talking about my horrible acne, or "scuzzing" me off.  I had been made fun of for my acne, being flat chested, being a tom-boy, and even called conceited.  These things were my own insecurities at the time.  I think every kid has them at some point in their life.  I became a little bitter thing in high school, and couldn't wait to be done.

I did get a steady boyfriend when I was nineteen.  He was the ONLY other boy I ever dated, kissed, and felt butterflies about. So yes...my first kiss was when I was nineteen.  I really liked him a lot.  I had grown up with him, and we spent a lot of time together before his mission.  We had been friends since kindergarten, and looking back I think that our relationship at the time was one where two people may be such good friends that they try to become more, but in the end things end up just being weird.  Anyway needless to say, I waited for him to serve his mission and two years later he came home and broke my heart.  He has since been through two divorces and has experienced his own earthly trials.  He admitted to my a few years back how sorry he had been that we didn't stay together.  We have reconciled and are friends to this day, but have decided it is best to stay that way.

Drew came back into my life in the spring of 2001.  I had served a mission in Los Angeles California Spanish speaking.  I came back and took a job at Barnes Banking Co. in Kaysville as a teller.  I was a teller a couple months when I became promoted to work in the loan processing department.  One day I received a phone call from a woman with the last name of Call.  I don't know what possessed me to ask if she had a son named Drew, but I asked, and the next thing I knew Drew was standing in the lobby of the bank and asked me out.  I almost didn't believe it was him when I saw him.  He had changed SO much!!  He was so handsome.  I agreed to go out with him, and our first date was October 23, 2001.