Inside it read,Fortunately, the road to meeting and marrying John was much shorter than a trip to India.
Long before I met John, I heard all about him.
During my sophomore year at BYU, my roommate’s boyfriend liked to tell us funny stories about his friends. One of them was named John.
That summer my friend Tammy called to tell me that John was doing an internship in her hometown and they were in the same singles ward. I started to tease Tammy about having a crush on him, but she assured me that they were “just friends”. She told me that her parents were really disappointed because they thought John was a great guy with a lot of potential. They kept trying to convince Tammy that she should date John, but she wasn’t interested.
Back at BYU in the fall, Tammy told me that she needed my help one afternoon. She explained that her parents had called and asked her if she was sure she wasn’t interested in John. She sighed and repeated that they were just friends. Her parents insisted that she introduce him to her older sister Wendy (who hadn’t been home during the summer) in case she was interested. What followed was one of the most awkward introductions I have ever seen.
Tammy called John and explained the situation. He good-naturedly agreed to come over. The three of us walked over to Wendy’s apartment and stood on the doorstep while Tammy introduced John. Wendy politely said hello, but didn’t even invite us inside. I don’t think she was too thrilled with her parents’ attempt at matchmaking. After a few ums and ahs, it was clear that no sparks were flying and we left. Tammy could report to her parents that she’d introduced John to Wendy and we’d see what happened.
Meanwhile I was enjoying my junior year and casually dating a couple of guys. John was over at our apartment occasionally. One time I remember him teasing us when we were trying to watch a movie. Another time he came over when I was baking cookies and sampled some of the cookie dough before I could get it in the oven.
In November it was time for “Preference”, the infamous girl’s choice dance. I didn’t want to ask either of the guys I’d been dating because I didn’t want them to think I was seriously interested in them. I mulled over what to do and finally I came up with the choice to ask someone “safe”. Someone who wouldn’t think I was pursuing him. I decided John was a good choice. I whipped up a batch of cookie dough and wrote a poem. Then we drove to his house and doorbell ditched him.
He called me and agreed to go to the dance and then asked if I’d like to go to the football game with him that weekend. During the football game, I’m not sure what happened, but suddenly I noticed how cute and funny he was. I was annoyed when his friend Marty asked for a ride home after the game. Three was definitely a crowd, but I knew I had Preference to look forward to.
Our whole apartment went as a group to Preference. We girls came up with an elaborate scheme that involved blindfolding the guys and driving them around before finally ending up at McDonald’s where we ate our hamburgers on fine china while drinking sparkling cider from crystal goblets. After dinner we piled into a big van and I was disappointed that John and I ended up in the bucket seats so we weren’t even sitting together. As the night progressed, he did hold my hand and I felt sparks flying. I hoped that he was as interested in me as I was in him!
I got my answer the next night when he dropped off a thank you poem at my apartment and invited me to come over to his house. A few of us went over and watched his missionary slides in the basement. I also got to meet his parents for the first time. I was impressed with how sweet his mom was.
From then on, we spent quite a bit of time together. We kept “accidentally” running into each other in the reserve reading room at the library.
During Christmas break John came to southern California for the Holiday Bowl. BYU was playing Michigan and afterwards, John was coming to visit me for a few days. I was so excited for my family to meet him. We went to the beach and even to the Rose Parade.
Back in Provo, John decided it was time for a serious talk. I was definitely not ready to get married yet, and John knew this so he managed to have an entire conversation without ever mentioning the word marriage. At the end, we both knew we were going to get married although we’d never used the dreaded “M” word.
I knew John was going to “pop the question” and I figured that since Valentine’s Day was approaching, that would be the day. But John didn’t want to be too predictable. He wanted to surprise me.
A few days later, I arrived home to find a FedEx envelope in my mailbox. When I opened it, I found a resume and cover letter from John. This was not surprising since he was getting ready to graduate from BYU and was applying for his first real job. What was different about this resume and letter were that they were recommending John as a husband. This was his formal proposal. I couldn’t believe my eyes and just then John popped in with a dozen roses. He fell to his knees and proposed in person. Of course I said “yes!”
My parents were very happy and supportive as were John’s parents. John’s mom said she had been hoping we’d get married since the first time she met me.
The only people who weren’t thrilled about our engagement were Tammy’s parents who were disappointed that their daughters had let a good guy get away!
A few months later, John and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so very grateful for John! He is gentle and loving. He is a wonderful father and a worthy priesthood holder. I love him dearly and I will always be grateful that we found each other at BYU so many years ago. Oh, and for the record, he only has two sisters.
