Blind Dates

The thing about blind dates is that they work. Sometimes. Especially in my family.

In fact, I'd say they are hereditary.

My grandparents met on a blind date.

My parents met on a blind date.


My brother met his wife on a blind date.

And guess what my parent's first blind date consisted of?

Mini-golfing!

Guess what my first date with Ben was?

Mini-golfing!

Coincidence? I think not...

A year ago today, 25 May 2011, I went on a blind date (probably the billionth for Ben and I) with Ben, my husband.

The morning of the 24th I was having a conversation with my co-worker Josh about dating. Somehow, through a name mishap, Josh thought I was talking about Ben Browning when I was talking about a different Ben. He asked what I thought about his elders quorum president, and I responded that this person was not an elders quorum president. Well, we found out we were talking about different Bens, and Josh convinced me that I should go out with Ben Browning; after all, he was a Y graduate, too, and one of the best people he knew. He immediately texted Ben and set us up for the following night--talk about pro-activity! Ben called me that night to ask me on the phone, and we talked for an hour, and we hadn't even met each other yet!

So the next night we went mini-golfing, both a little scared that we wouldn't have anything left to talk about. However, we talked the whole game and thus played the slowest game of mini-golfing ever, and then talked in an hour in the driveway to top it all off. This was a good sign, especially for me who loves good, deep conversations--nothing compares! I was smitten, and the rest is history :)

After it all, Ben recalled that I said my grandpa had a farm in West Haven, close to where his boss had farmed as a youth. Turns out, Ben's boss is my mom's cousin who had worked on my grandpa's farm. We also found out we knew many of the same people at BYU (it's kind of ridiculous, actually), and a month before we were actually set up, someone else had said they wanted to set us up, but we didn't find out until later--crazy. So many connections, and yet it took us a while to find each other.

Timing is everything, and the Lord had the perfect time for us to find each other, May 25th. So Happy May 25th, and if you are single, go on blind dates; they may actually work on the 122nd time!

Why Weber?

After I dedicated a whole post on BYU, I realized Weber should have its own spot, too, finishing my educational story. 

 My story at Weber really begins at BYU. The summer before my senior year at BYU, I was deciding whether I should go on a mission (after all, living in the mission home I saw how life-changing it could be) or go to graduate school. Although I really thought a mission would be wonderful, I always felt like something was holding me back. So I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in English. I really wanted to go to BYU (as you could guess from my gushing love for BYU). However, the program at BYU had very high standards, and I knew I would have to test really well (not my forte) to get in. I met with professors weekly, was tutored by a grammar professor on the side, and took an 8 hour a week GRE prep class for two months while juggling my rigorous senior class work load, working, and being called into a Relief Society presidency. Needless to say, it was a challenging semester. My goal was to do EVERYTHING I could do in my power and let the Lord take it from there because I knew if He wanted me to stay at BYU, it would happen.

 I first heard about Weber State at a graduate school fair at BYU. The Master's of English Chair, Dr. Merlin Cheney, was there. I spoke to him, expecting a few trivial responses but instead had a compelling conversation about nineteenth century British literature and how it can relate to the gospel (just what I love!) He seemed very eager to "recruit" me because our specialties were so similar, but my heart still held onto my BYU goal stronger than ever. I took the GRE and, for myself, received a very decent score; however, for BYU it was twenty points lower than their average acceptance. I held onto hope and kept meeting with my professors weekly for guidance in my application.

Then the letter came. This time, it was a different letter than my first one received from BYU--rejection. I immediately felt my world crushing, I went straight to the temple, trying to reconcile myself that Provo was not the place I needed to be. I talked to the chairman at BYU to see if there was any hope. The chair said that usually they had a waiting list, and I would have been the first on it, but because of the economy, this was 2009, they had limited more spots than usual.

My search for the right school began. I received recruitment letters from Notre Dame, the U, Utah State and Weber. Notre Dame!? I know. I kind of had this secret desire to be like Rudy except without football, but for a single Mormon girl looking for a Mormon boy with the clock ticking. . . that didn't feel right. Gradually, everything seemed to point towards Weber, and so my journey began. Weber would allow me to get a Masters of English and a secondary teaching certificate through the Masters of Ed program (two separate degrees at the time).

 I loved Weber for very different reasons than BYU. Weber is a commuter schools so it was hard to find the right housing with the right people. Socially, Weber proved to be much more difficult for me because so many lived at home and were friends with the same people since high school; there wasn't the same eagerness to get to know people as I had experienced at the Y. Plus, most of the people I knew were much younger. Honestly, my time at Weber was very hard, but it was all worth it. Aside from meeting Ben, which I never would have if I hadn't moved to Ogden, Weber taught me how to do hard things.

My tutoring job taught me so much about English; I learned how to write many 30 page papers in two days (of course, researching weeks in advance); for the first time, I took education classes; I lived close to my grandma so I could go and visit her more often; I became even closer friends with my cousin Sami; and I met Kelsi, which is a blessing in and of itself because I have never met someone so similar to me--it's almost uncanny!.

The institute, religious organization for young adults, made me so happy. I became good friends with the teachers, got involved in multiple service committees, made many friends,and even was able to make the auditioned institute choir group, Choralaires (which I loved!) Institute was my second home where I would study, socialize and serve.

Weber taught me to get actively involved and not wait and see what life would bring to me.

Here are some pictures reminiscing my Weber experiences.

Oh, and by the way, Ben and I met after I had already done my Masters Degree and was about to start student teaching, so he comes into the picture after Weber, technically; talk about timing!

Gospel in Action Committee Memories

Decorating for a Halloween Dance

My dear friend, Steph, who I served in the RS pres. with

Annie and I at a dance

Some of my first Ogden roommates!

Friends from Choralaires

My second year roommates!

Kelsi and I at Insititue Graduation with diplomas

Some of my fellow classmates with Dr. Cheney on the right

Choralaires--What a blessing!

My first friend in Ogden, Arianne

Kelsi and I again, basically my other half

Saturdays Warrior Party with girls in my singles ward

My fun roommate Nat and I with fun cornstarch stuff!

Roommates my second year

Fun with roommates 

Ultimately, the why of Weber was for my educational and personal growth and, ultimately, to meet Ben. That really is a why I will be eternally grateful for. 

The Y

I remember that it was lunch time; I was awaiting my mom's phone call, knowing that the letter of acceptance or rejection would arrive any day now. I had little hope I would get in. I had not tested well on the ACT, even after doing the ACT prep course, CD, and taking the ACT itself three times. Because I had gone to three high schools in three states in three years, I didn't have a chance to involve myself in musicals, clubs, or AP classes because I would always miss deadlines. I did have a few awards, good grades, honor classes, and lots and lots of choir/singing participation, but that did not seem "enough" for BYU, and you know what, it probably wasn't. My cell phone, which at the time could only be used in situations like that, started chanting it's song, and I knew the moment of truth had arrived. Where would I go for the next four years of my life?

Rushing home, I wondered what my fate would be. I quickly ran into the doorway, my mom handed me a package, and she was right by my side as I tore open the large white envelope. I read the first sentence that had the word "congratulate," and I felt a wave of relief rush over me. It seemed too good to be true. Was I really good enough to go to a school known for its populace of "smart people"? I started crying. My mom started crying. We both knew that the only reason I had gotten in was that was exactly where I needed to be.

I remember the anticipation of finding out who my roommate was and knowing I wouldn't know many others who would go to BYU. I knew I would be hundreds of miles away from my parents in Washington, and I wondered how it would all go. I felt like I had no idea what to expect. I'll never forget my first day leaving my parents at the airport, who couldn't come with me because they were on their mission, arriving in SLC where my sweet grandma had forgotten where she parked, wandering around the parking lots at the airport for two hours, finally arriving at DT, unpacking all my things, and being alone in that bare cinder block wall room. Most others had their parents helping them get settled in for their first year of college away from home, and I felt kind of homesick that first day, wishing my parents could experience those first couple days with me.

Soon enough, girls started knocking on doors and getting to know each other. Most of us were in the same boat: out of state, not knowing many, and for the first time in our lives, on our own. Friendships were quickly formed and we became each other's home away from home. So many of my friends stemmed from that freshmen year where we all were looking out for one another.

There were many amazing things that happened to me at BYU: I miraculously received good grades even though my test taking skills were less than most; I was able to participate in a couple of Relief Society presidencies that strengthened my testimony and love for others; I established my independence; I had amazing job opportunities; I developed wonderful friendships with many of my professors; I was able to go so many devotionals and CES Firesides to watch and see apostles speak and teach LIVE; and I was able to get involved and serve. Out of all those wonderful, life-changing opportunities, the thing that I loved the most was being surrounded by such good, inspiring friends who made me want to be better. I had never been surrounded by that many good examples in my life. I couldn't have asked for better friends and roommates there. At first, knowing so many amazing, smart, beautiful, athletic, musical, and sweet people was intimidating, and it made just about every freshmen want to join the "BYU--Where Your Best Hasn't Been Good Enough Since 1875" Facebook group. After that phase passed, I realized. . .I am so lucky to learn from so many talented people! The people are what made my memories. Here are some memories with them that remind me why I loved BYU:

I have too memories to count with Erica at BYU. 

Before a dance with friends and roommates-- I loved going to dances in those days. 

A wonderful group of friends I found Senior year. 

 My roommates my senior year in front of our apartment--such cute girls!

My real first experience with snow happened at BYU, and us girls from CA were fascinated!

Decorating our apartment

Family Home Evening groups--always so fun. 

Attending and watching many dear friends find their eternal companion and setting good examples.

 

BYU football games (this was my first one with my roommate, Amy)

Wonderful uplifting conversations (many with Caring Carrie :)

Dear friends and family supporting me as I presented a paper I wrote at a Literary Conference.

Going to delicious places like the creamery with friends 

Erica. Again. Seriously, when Ben and I were walking around campus Saturday I told him that when I think of BYU campus I think of Erica. We had so many of the same classes, went to every devotional together, had lunches together, and have the same birthday (irrelevant but still amazing).

Once most of my friends were married/on missions, I found an amazing group of older friends who I needed so much at that time in my life. So, naturally, we became roommates. 

I learned so much from being a part of two amazing relief society presidencies (one freshmen year with Sheree and one my senior year).

 

I went on the most amazing St. George road trip ever

Then it was time to graduate (with the dearest of friends).

Graduation was hard for me (you can tell just by looking at my tired, sad eyes it this picture). I didn't want to leave. But I knew I had to. BYU was a place where I had learned so much spiritually, emotionally, and academically. It was hard work, and even though I loved it, there were still many hard times. For whatever reason, BYU was the place I needed to learn and grow in. I knew that for me, my BYU experiences were so special to me, and if I had just stayed there to work some non-fulfilling job just so I could hang around Provo, it would be a rude awakening for me, and BYU would no longer be the same place I had dreamed it up to be. So I left. That time it was for a different kind of adventure, and one that was harder than my BYU adventure but much needed.  

I remember my freshmen year my religion teacher told us "Every time you get discouraged about being here, look up at the Y, and think to yourself 'Why are you here?'" 

Now I can look back and see the "why" BYU had in my life. And that "Y" has shaped who I am today. 

Job Musings

Note to Readers: This may be boring to you :( I did this to reflect for myself, so if you stop reading, I understand :) Lately, I have been thinking about all the jobs I have had and what I loved, disliked, and learned about and from all of them. Of course, jobs started out for me as allowance--getting a quarter or so for doing random things around the house like unloading the dishwasher and setting the table, and sometimes I wonder if at that age I was really helping--my poor parents. Then, I hit the age of twelve where I babysat for my family and for many others in our ward in CA. I loved babysitting and playing with the kids. Hitting the age of sixteen, the babysitting bubble pops and you start wanting to hang out with friends more than little kids on a Friday night, even though you still love them. Then the era of moving smack in the middle of the summer the summer before my junior year and before my senior year prevented me from looking for steady summer jobs in high school, and so I did a little bit of babysitting through those years. As high school graduation approached, I knew I needed a REAL job, the kind with a steady pay check. It was then that I began my job career :) 1. I prayed that I would find a job where I didn't have to work on Sundays (hard to come by in Washington state where my family was by that point) so I could keep the Sabbath Day holy. My prayer was quickly answered as Subway, one of the many places I applied, hired me and allowed to keep my Sunday commitments. The Subway I worked at was the busiest Subway in eastern Washington (prestigious, I know!). My manager was tough and expected that we could make a sandwich in thirty seconds or less or we would be "punished." I quickly memorized all of the sandwich formulas, practiced, and was timed, so that when that line was ten feet out the door, I could help the customers get their tummies filled quickly :)

I was surprised with the dear friends I made who were so different than me, and yet I found myself loving them so much. I was known as the Mormon girl, and everyone was so kind to respect my beliefs about swearing even though it differed from theirs. I can truly say the Subway diet worked!! Maybe it was because I worked ten hour days only sitting for a few minutes on most days, running around like crazy, and all I ate all day was a free foot long honey oat veggie sandwich with cheese, most of the time, (and a cookie or two--they were to die for), plus I was carrying freight of frozen bread over my head on ladders--sometimes I want to work at that Subway again just to get in shape! I worked there for the summer before BYU and the summer after my freshmen year. The summer after my freshmen year I had a different boss and all new co-workers except my dear friend, Mindy.

We had ice cream at that Subway and when things would settle down a little Mindy and I would make milkshakes, throwing in some Subway cookie dough--bliss. There are so many good memories at that Subway. I still have a soft spot for it, and it will always rival Quiznos because of my biased memories. 2. After helping my family due to some medical emergencies the summer after my Sophomore year, at the end of winter semester of my Junior year I was offered a job to tutor two high school girls and one eleven year old girl adopted from Russia in Orem. I loved it! It was my first time tutoring English, and I learned much about myself and English through that process. I continued to tutor the eleven year old twice a week throughout that summer. We developed a bond as shown by this picture of us :)

3. While tutoring my Russian girls, I was offered a job at Special Collections, BYU. So for about four months, I did both until it became too much, and I had to quit my tutoring job. I must admit Special Collections was my favorite job of ALL time, and it is hard to rival. I mean look at this trailer promoting it: It really is that exciting! I worked for the 19th and 20th Century Western and Mormon Americana curator. I would "process" or read, digest, and summarize, old diaries from the pioneers, letters, photos, etc. For me, it was like heaven being around all those old things! I loved the people I worked with, and I loved immersing myself in that history. I would catalog the information and program it into HTML coding so it would be available on the online library catalog, and I would submit names into the Library of Congress database. I worked there my whole senior year at BYU, and then sadly, once graduated, you are forced to leave. However, it did make me consider going into library science or curatorial work.

4) Feeling withdrawals for my Special Collections job after my two days of absence, I looked for a new job for the summer before I would leave to Ogden for grad school. The day before graduation, I applied for four jobs; the morning of graduation I was called by Deseret Book in Provo to come in that morning (THE SAME DAY AS GRADUATION), was interviewed, and was hired. Luckily and as an answer to prayer, I had a job by the time I received my diploma. I felt so lucky to be working in such a wonderful atmosphere surrounded by books that I loved. The only thing I did not like about this job was the pressure of selling platinum accounts. Every morning they posted how many each employee had sold the previous day--talk about pressure. I loved the Lion House orange and caramel rolls that were imported daily--I had to learn how to stay away from those quick! I loved having the Deseret Book library which had many books and CDs the employees could check out so they would be able to recommend products to customers. Having access to all of those books and DVDs was bliss! I made some dear friends at this job; almost all of the employees were girls so we had lots of fun girl talks as we went around straightening displays. Leaving Deseret Book was necessary as I had to move to Ogden to pursue the rest of my education.

5) After one semester in my Master's program, I realized that working and going to school would be possible with my schedule. I was referred by a friend to look into the Weber State Writing Center. This was a pivotal change in my life because for the first time, even after having already graduated in English from BYU, I really came to understand grammar and writing. At BYU, I had focused most of my attention on British lit and history and not as much on editing and grammar. This job forced me to KNOW what I was talking about in writing. I worked with students in all levels of college from Bio Med to students from India or Pakistan (there were actually MANY of these students because Weber has a deal set up with the King to send students to Weber). I learned so much tutoring many students one on one. I had this job for about two years. The last year I taught grammar workshops to groups of college students, which helped my teaching of grammar any more. Definitely, a blessing. I even had publishing opportunities because of this job. The best part of this job was that I met Kelsi, who I needed so much right when we met, and through my co-worker, Josh also known as Yenta, met Ben! There were some hardships in this job that I had never before experienced, but it was all worth meeting Kelsi and Ben :) This photo was taken at a work party:

6)Last but not least, what do I do now? I will explain that. Later.

April 20

Today is my best friend's birthday!!!! Today, Ben turns 28! I am so proud to call him my husband :) This is my first time being with him on his birthday as last year at this time, I hadn't met him yet (think Michael Buble because I am pretty sure I really liked that song around this time last year). I am so grateful Ben entered my life when he did. In fact, a year ago today, I received my endowments in the Draper Temple--not knowing I would meet my future husband a month later or that it was his birthday.

Even though it's funny to think I could have waited a few months longer to go through with Ben, I think it was the perfect time for me. A year ago today, I was going through the temple, and the day after, I was graduating with my Master's Degree in English the next day, knew I needed to complete student teaching for a teaching certificate so would be in Ogden for a few more months, and then it was "Who Knows?"



It is scary to graduate with a masters degree as an unmarried girl, and thinking, "When will I ever find him after going into the working world?" I thought of moving back to Provo in an area where older young single adults were, or perhaps Washington D.C. where there were some strong LDS members. There were so many unknowns and being able to go to the temple provided much comfort.





Even though it didn't happen the way I anticipated, my family, aunts, uncles, a cousin, Kelsi, Sheree, Erica, Russ, and my bishopric from my singles ward and their wives had driven all the way to the Draper Temple to be there for me that day. I felt so special knowing that I was going into the "unknown" with so much love and support. Last spring term, I worked twenty hours a week so I had time to go to the Bountiful Temple weekly for a few months and was able to learn so much--that was a blessing. It's hard to believe that that was a year ago today. My husband's birthday! Sometimes Heavenly Father has us wait for the perfect timing (even if it seems last minute to us).

Enough about me, Ben's the birthday boy! So that was my life one year ago today. Then enter: Ben Browning.

He inspires me to be a better person in more ways than I thought possible. He did so from when I first met him. He was definitely worth the wait! I love my Ben!

Here's 28 things you may not know about him:

1. His family has two llamas!
2. He loves playing soccer, and has played most of his life.
3. He has an amazing voice (I keep telling him not to hide his light under a bushel :)
4. He is amazing with kids! Our next door neighbors have four children who run out when they see him and want to play with him for hours.
5. He was an EFY counselor for 5 years and loved it!
6. He played ultimate frisbee, inter-tube water polo, and soccer on Intramural teams at BYU.
7. He loves Brazilian grills.
8. He doesn't like desserts as much, but he loves candies.
9. Ben LOVES budgeting, which I love that he does :)
10. He graduated in Business: Finance from BYU in 08 (the year before I did).
11. He speaks Portugese and Spanish.
12. He loves the hero-type movies like Captain America, Thor, etc.
13. As mentioned previously, he loves new technology and utilizes all of it.
14. He is amazing at Excel, and his work loves him for it!
15. In high school, he was the president of and participated in many clubs and organizations.
16. He is the newest (and probably youngest) member of Rotary Club, representing the bank.
17. He served his mission in Sau Paulo Brazil.
18. He has been to England, China, Hawaii, Brazil, D.C., and many other fun places :) throughout his life.
19. He knows his grammar very well, which I appreciate.
20. He loves Ogden! He went to Ogden High School and has a great love for the history and community surrounding Ogden.
21. He gives amazing Family Home Evening lessons!
22. He likes to mow the lawn (phew).
23. Ben is always thinking of others before himself.
24. He loves looking at the newest and greatest cars.
25. He can find you an app for just about anything.
26. He built a twine hut with his brothers in their yard when he was young.
27. Ben was involved in a community singing group from elementary to high school (hence lots of his travels).
28. Ben has the heart to eat my cooking!

Happy Birthday, Ben!