Has it really been nine years?

January 12 is our ninth anniversary. It is amazing to me that it has really been that long!! What is even more amazing that we have been married for nine years but that ten years ago we had not even met yet! This is cheesy, I know, but I love hearing other couple's love stories so here is the condensed version (dates are stolen from my journal...for some reason, I was an amazing journal writer that year.

May 21, 2000-We met in our parent's home ward. I had come home for the summer and he was just leaving. He was home for the weekend to take out another girl. We talk all through Sunday School. Matt calls and asks me out right after church. My aunt, who also lives in that ward and lives across the street from Matt's parents, happened to be at our house when he called. When I got off the phone, she asked who it was. When I told her, she said, "Ooo, Matt Sorensen, he is pretty."
May 27, 2000-Our first date. We went to Farmington Canyon, hiking, tin foil dinners and a movie outdoors. Matt's friend TJ (who we were doubling with) said to Matt that night, "I think you are going to marry her." **Edited to add that Matt reminded me when he read this that his reply to TJ was, "I wish!"**
June 10, 2000-Date number two. We went to Lagoon with Matt's ward from Provo.
June 23, 2000-We went to President Hinckley's 90th Birthday Celebration (for the record, I asked him to this one!)
June 24, 2000-played tennis, dinner and then a movie.
**After this we would see each other every weekend, usually both Friday and Saturday. We would try and squeeze in a Sunday visit as well. ***
I do have all of our dates written down, but I will not bore anyone with the details. We kissed on our eighth date and then next night we both had dates with other people that had been set up before we got together. Neither date went very well :)

The next few weeks had lots more dates and a Young Single Adult Pioneer Trek in our parent's stake. So many great memories. If I remember correctly, we were teased mercilessly on this trek by everyone. We didn't think too many people knew we were dating, and didn't even hold hands while we were there, but apparently, we were figured out. There were quite a few couples that came out of that trek.
Aug. 19, 2000-I moved back to Provo to start a new job. Matt and I now get to see each other everyday!
Aug. 24, 2000-Matt says, "I love you," and I say, "Thanks!" The look on his face, was priceless. Don't worry, I said it back right after letting him suffer for a minute!
Sept. 1, 2000-Matt plans an amazing birthday date for me. The morning was supposed to start with a hot air balloon ride in Park City, but was canceled because of high wind. We went to breakfast instead. After breakfast, we hop in the car and start driving south. I asked where we are going and Matt says, "Vegas." I say, yeah, right. But we keep driving. Farther and farther from Provo. We stopped at Cedar Breaks for a picnic lunch. Keep driving South. Matt keeps telling me we are going to Vegas and I refuse to believe him. We stopped fill up the gas tank in Cedar City and I am starting to get really confused. Where the heck are we going? Well, it turns out we had reached our destination. We were headed to the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar. We saw an amazing play, and then went to the "Feaste" for dinner. It was big meal that was supposed be authentic to the time period. It was so much fun. It was dark and late as we were driving home and as we reached Provo city limits, Matt received a call from his roomate, saying that his car had broken down in Provo Canyon and his date worked a night shift and needed to get to work, could we come and lend them Matt's car and then wait for the tow truck? We said sure, so we headed up to Vivian Park. We found them, switched cars and proceeded to wait for the tow truck. After a few minutes, Matt wanted to go exploring, I was cold, and tired, but I said okay. We started walking around the park and eventually ended up down a dark lane with thick trees on the right side. As we were walking, I noticed a glow coming from the trees on our right. I mentioned it to Matt and he said, let's go see what it is! We started heading in that direction and eventually came to a picnic blanket covered in flashlights, presents and cheesecake! What?!?!?? Ooo, Matt loves a good surprise. When I got home that night, I found that my room was full of flowers and a card that told me the reasons he had chosen specific flowers for me. I know! So cute.
Oct. 6, 2000-Engaged!! Big surprise. We had not talked about marriage at all. Obviously, we both hoped that was the direction it was going, but we hadn't verbalized it. Ever. He had spoken with my parents, had my sister help him pick out a ring and I had no idea it was coming that day. That is another great story, I will save it for another time.
January 12, 2001-Sealed for time and all eternity in the Bountiful Temple. The whole day is a blur, but it still seems like yesterday.

9 years, 3 (almost 4) kids, job changes, college graduations, moves and fun times later, life couldn't be better.