And Then I said Yes..TWICE! Well.. Kinda

So I forgot to mention in the last blog the first time we said "I love you". While I was in Arizona for by "Birthday Bash", Louis and I were hanging out watching a movie or something when out of the blue Louis gets up leaves the room, and returns with the Family Proclamation to the World. Intrigued I, turned off the t.v. and we took turns reading every other paragraph. After each paragraph, Louis asked me my thoughts and opinions. I had NO idea what he was up to. Finally after we were done, he had mentioned that on his mission, his Mission President said to read through the proclamation together with whoever it is you choose to marry and see if there are any disagreements. LUCKILY, we agreed on everything, and I passed yet another test of Louis Stradling. (He was worse than a girl with all the tests!) The next day he picked me up to go his house, and that was the "dreaded talk". You know, the talk every couple has when they emotionally vomit all of their mistakes and past history to test the other persons deal-breakers. Considering I was dumped weeks before my wedding, because the guy I was engaged too and his family thought I was the devils child from my mistakes, I was TERRIFIED that I would lose Louis too. So with my big girl panties, I gathered up the courage to tell him, EVERYTHING! Both of us shared our deepest raw emotions. After I told him, he shared with me his past. After the conversation, he got super quiet, I was starting to get nervous. I could tell he wanted to say something, and he was pretty nervous, and that is when he said, "Jodi, I love you!" As shocked as I was, I was speechless. He didn't run like a little girl, he didn't look at me any differently, but instead he loved me for me, not matter what mistakes I made. Do you understand how hard it is to try to talk with that lump you get in you throat when you try to hold back the tears, VERY HARD. Of course I told him I loved him back, we shared a long hug, and together in love we enjoyed the rest of the week! Ahhh, I still get teary eyed thinking of that night and the feelings that I felt! 

NOW THE PROPOSAL!!!!!!

OK SO! Louis and I knew that night, that we were going to get married. Obviously. So after he surprised me in my hometown and sealed the deal with my parents and family, all that I had to do was wait. On a date night, he took me to look at rings, (which every girl should experience! It was sooo fun!!!) So I knew he would be asking me soon! Ughhh... talk about not being patient! I mean, I knew it was going to happen, but come on, making me wait is like telling a child the Ice Cream truck is around the corner but she would have to clean her room, vacuum, mop, clean the toliets... you get my drift! To even add to the stress of waiting, Louis decided he wanted to propose to me on..you guessed it...APRIL FOOLS DAY! Really? Not only was it my turn for date night, so of course, I go all out and used my neighbors backyard (they were on their mission) into the perfect date night! I had christmas lights, movie, tent with lights inside, pizza... it was legit! So when he gave me this story about how he needed to record (yes, he has it all on video...) it, I was VERRRRRY excited! Yeah, no, the excitement/nervousness/butterflies all ended as soon as I opened the ring box and saw a flippin post-it sticker that said "How much do you love April Fools Day?" ARRRRGGH!!! Are you kidding me! I even told him that this better not me a joke as I was opening it. I didnt know what to do, I was about to cry of happiness cause I thought it was FINALLY happening, but then I wanted to cry of pure embarrassment! So I decided to throw the box at him, several times! I even kept looking at the box, hoping that this sick joke was seriously a joke, and the ring would magically be in there..and the REAL proposal would be happening any moment. Yep, nope! 

Yup... He did.

NOW TO THE REAL DEAL! 

April 7th, 2011

Well, the day started off like any other day.. but it ended with a ring on my finger! Louis had invited me to go watch him sing at the Mesa Temple Visitor center that night. It started at 7, and being that I havent seen him that day,so I wanted to go early to see him before it started. Problem was that I was supposed to ride with his parents, so me already being there ruined "The Plan". So when I got the call from Louis' Mom explaining to me that I was supposed to dress up, and practically forcing me to go home and change so they can pick me up, of course I was extremely annoyed! (Don't lie, you would be too!) So as I rushed home and tried to find an outfit, of course it doesnt match! So not only am I late and didnt get to spend a whole lot of time with Louis, I looked like a mis matched 3 year old!! It was seriously hideous! The choir sang great!! Louis looked sooo incredibly handsome that night, although I didnt quite understand why Shelly (Louis' Mom) was crying so much. I mean, I knew she cried at almost everything, but I was confused about this one. Anyways, after the concert I expected louis and I to go grab a bite to eat and head home. Instead, Louis wanted to go to Home Depot to "look at fridges". Trust me, I questioned it, but I thought it was cute that he was thinking in the future, cause everyone needs a fridge ya know?! =). As we got to home depot, Louis was acting very different, and I was starting to feel WAYYYYY over dressed for a hardware store, so I wanted to get in look at the fridges and get out! I think Louis could sense that I was getting antsy, so to distract me he took me to look at the galrden section. Uhm.. yeah talk about BEAUTIFUL!

(Amazing right?)

 I was completely impressed, and had ZERO idea that it was all for me. Sooo I had to stop and smell the roses. Seriously though, I did. Louis even had to pretend to clear his throat so that I would turn around to see him down on one knee. I cant remember everything he said, partly because it happened a while ago, and mainly because my heart was beating sooo fast, and crying didnt help!

 Of course....I SAID YES!!!! 

So say what you will. But I wouldn't have asked for a better night! It meant a lot that he planned something from his heart, and put his personality into it. Its a night I will NEVER forget!!!!!