#4

Reason:

Neil waited until our third date to kiss me. On our second date we drove up to Sundance, sat in a snowy parking lot, and talked into the night (if you can call that a "date"). At one point Neil confessed that he normally didn't hesitate kissing a cute girl, often on a first date, even if he had no intentions of pursuing her. Yes, shallow, but hey, at least he was honest about it! And while he further confessed that he really really wanted to kiss me, he had decided to hold off because casual kissing (and dating in general) was getting old for him and he was ready for something deeper and more meaningful in his life. He then told me he was already having very different feelings for me than anything he'd ever experienced, and sensed it was something real and special, but wanted to be 100% certain of his suspicions before making that move. I wanted him to kiss me, and initially felt slightly rejected. But as I thought about it, I realized he was actually paying me a compliment in expressing his honesty. Further, I knew when he did finally decide to kiss me, it would be a confirmation that he was serious and secure in his feelings.

He did make it through the evening without giving in. :) However, the next night when we got together after work, he didn't last more than a few minutes before leaning in for that first smooch. Apparently he'd made up his mind! And I guess that's really what it boils down to. When Neil knows what he wants, he is ABSOLUTELY certain of it, and will persevere until he achieves it. Makes me feel pretty secure about our marriage.

Photo(s):

Here we are as kiddos

Fact(s):

I'm cheating tonight, but I can't mention one coincidence without including the rest:

1 - My bishop growing up (Scott Haynes) went to medical school with Neil's uncle Curtis over twenty years ago in New Orleans. To this day their families are still in touch.

2 - Neil taught a girl on his mission who I graduated from high school with (Nicole Gonzales). She was a student at UC Santa Barbara when he was serving in that area. He actually has a picture of him and his companion with her.

3 - One of my brother's former girlfriends was once married to Neil's uncle Mike's cousin! This was discovered at our wedding reception when she and Mike just happened into each other.