An aniversary for us

We started our dating this day last year. It happened after a weekend apart and together, after a walk with my nieces, after lots of laughing and pictures, after lots of talking and 3 hours of travel, it was clear that we both really liked each other and that we should start dating. I knew it was going to be great and, well, here we are, I am his wife and he is my husband. I love my new family. God truly knows what we need and I know He did hear every time I thought of a quality I really didn't want or had to have please please please. I am so blessed. Zack is such a good husband. He is so good at being a husband, you'd think he'd mastered it somewhere earlier. He just claims he is just loving me. Well, I am grateful that I can bring that outstanding, perfectness, in him and I am SO grateful that I have my dream best friend, husband. Life is beautiful indeed.

I LOVE YOU ZACK!

Click here to review the past from Zack's blog and from Linda's blog.

Happy Halloween

Today we are happy. As Zack left for work, we discussed our Halloween night plans. We will dress up of course (I am so glad he dresses up and still has fun for this holiday.) He will be a Princess. I will be a Canadian. If you don't know what word(s) fill in the blank, you'll just have to wait and see. Then we will go see The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. After of course our ward party. hehe. We wish you all a happy, safe and spooky Halloween!

There are more posts to come. We promise. You can also check out our individual blogs too. Z: www.iamxaque.blogspot.com, L: www.birdouse.blogspot.com

On this day last year...

I was not married to Zack, nor was I even dating him. In fact we were barely friends. Just kidding, we were, but only sometimes on the weekends when we would hang out with a group of us or by our nightly text conversations. But, on this day last year I was with my family in Rhode Island visiting my family. My nieces were happy that it was the day they could wear their outfits and go trick-or-treating. I was so happy because we had just visited Salem, Massachusetts, home of many famous witch trial stories. I was stoked as always about Halloween. I was especially excited to go and hang out with "the boys" at our ward Halloween party that night. So as I boarded the Peter Pan bus to head back to The City, I was excitedly planning my costume for the night.

Later that night I was in serious disguise as a Russian fashion fanatic (I was one of 4 in a fashion team, Jessica was our model) complete with tight black clothes, huge heels, wig and lots of makeup. I was barely recognizable. Zack was a Kissing Booth. I knew many a dumb girl would participate and so I was adament against giving him any sort of kiss (besides I wanted him to kiss me first, helloooo.) When I got there and saw my future husband (I did not think of it in this way... more like of course I want to kiss him, he won't even recognize me) I got right in that booth with him, cause we were friends and I could fit and went for the left cheek. I thought it was pretty awesome that I was the only girl to leave a BIG red kiss mark on his cheek. No big deal. After recognizing me and eating some more singles ward provided treats, we went to a party and just hung out more (we really ditched the party folk and went on the roof. Everyone followed of course. We love NYC rooftops.) Anyway, that is a good little memory. Sorry, dumb girls, I married this kissing booth. He chose ME.

I love Zack!

Some of the shots from our photographer

We don't have the website yet for viewing all of the pictures so here are a few from his blog. He was very great and willing to take our desired action shots. Enjoy! ...and stay tuned for more.



http://hudetzphotography.com/

The first time I met Zack: TAKE 1

I realized there is no account of our first meeting. This is due to not wanting to rewrite what I already wrote in 2 non-double spaced pages. What is an engagement and a wedding date without the story of how we first met.

Sunday 19 August 2007:

I saw space for my roommate and I behind a had-to-be very good looking wavy haired guy. As I sat in the meeting and exammined this guy from behind, I wondered what kind of guy would be wearing golf cuff links, a very nice navy pinstripped suit who had long wavy surfer dude hair. I was in my own world about all of this when my roommate leaned over and wispered, "what do you think of this guy sitting in front of you?"

I was worried I had been thinging out loud the whole time. I just smiled at her and nodded, trying to keep quiet. She told me he was really cool. She had done a service project with him and remembered having thought we would be good together. I didn't really believe her but was happy that there was some sort of connection to him.

After the meeting her bold little self initiated the introduction. I was not dissapointed when I finally saw his face. More so though, I was relieved that he was not just a gorgeous face, nice body, great dresser, but that he could also talk and socialize. He was actually perfectly chill. What a breath of fresh air it was to meet him.

After talking for a few minutes I was left to assume what kind of guy he was. All I came up with was that I didn't think he was the kind of guy to meet a decent looking girl and "know" that she wanted him. That would have been a big turn off. At that point I was really sick of girls as friends only and was more so just excited that there were some guys that seemed to be my kind of friend material. (I had also met Richard his roommate that day) That was enough to think that we could be friends if it turned out our paths crossed enough.

The first time I met Zack: TAKE 2

Sunday 26 August 2007:

I will admit, I put on a little makeup and wore something nicer than usual. I just wanted to be safe should I run into him again.

I did. I don't remember how it happened, but we ran into each other by the bathroom and started to talk a bit. Zack didn't remember meeting me. I was actually really happy. I would always get annoyed when guys would remember every little detail from a 90 second conversation the week before. That always seemmed a little too eger for me. Zack was not like this. Not remembering even meeting was a breath of fresh air. I didn't mind at all.

We spoke briefly. We learned each other's last names and found that both our fathers are both Mexican. Isn't that neat? It was classic small talk. He actually seemed so uninterested. Richard was there though and he had remembered me and my name. Go Richie!

3 minutes probably passed and we were again on our own way. I also met Connor that day who was Zack's and Richard's other roommate. I was excited to know that there were cool guys (my kind of people/friends) in the ward for once.

The first time I met Zack: TAKE 3

Monday 27 August 2007:

My calling was FHE group leader. For the record, I loved this calling. That night we had a combined FHE in the park at 106th St. (Zack lived at 108th) Zack and roommates weren't there at the beginning but then I saw them arrive when I was playing catch with some gorgeous faced guy that couldn't talk or socialize. I hoped they were playful guys.

They were. Pretty soon I lost the dude and started playing Frisbee with my roommate. After a while I was playing Frisbee with Connor. Zack and Richard soon joined in seeing as it was too dark to see their football. Finally it was too dark to see any flying object and we all found ourselves sitting around talking. My friend was talking about watching for the Mars Sighting or something from their roof. I had the brilliant idea of inviting Zack and roommates to come over for that. I asked her to invite them and like a good friend she did. As she left she said, "Good bye Linda." Zack heard her say my name and even though I had been standing nearly in front of him he still said looking at me, "Linda! I know you. We met at church." Hello! Yes we did. Twice before tonight.

I think he felt dumb a little bit not having remembered our simple meeting. If not then, he must have felt dumb a little after he said, "Linda. I met you. I just didn't remember you with out your pretty dress on. Not that those clothes aren't pretty. Ah, you know what I mean." Then, "And your name means beautiful too. And you are beautiful." I was just laughing at him while he went through this all in his head and out loud. Then he realized and said, "and I just complimented you twice." He then assured me that he remembered me. I laughed at him openly and teased him a bit. I really didn't care and I was not crushed that he hadn't remembered me. If I had hoped that he'd want to ask me out then sure I would have cried. That is not at all what I was all about. I just wanted cool people to hang out with when the occasion permitted. It was really funny.

So, on to the rest of the evening and the roof.

None of my roommates wanted to go with me so I went myself. When I got to her house it ended up just being Zack, Richard, Dan and me. We went on the roof and thanks to Zack's mom, our wait didn't end up being the whole night after all. It was all a hoax and we saw no such sighting.

We called it a night and the boys all walked me the 11 blocks to my house. That was the night that I knew we were all going to become good old friends.

Richard's and my first date

One night my roommate came in and asked me if I had my phone. She told me that Zack was going to be calling me. She went on to explain that he had asked her to go to a baseball game. She said no, "but my roommate would want to go." I didn't know how I felt about him calling her first but I didn't care too much. She gave him my number and told me to get ready for him to call.

Richard called me a few minutes later and did the asking.

They asked me to find a friend to go with us. My friend I found was great. When we were walking to meet up with Richard and Zack she asked me if I was interested in one of them. I told her "actually, I just met them but, yeah the tall one rather than the other one." She got it and was the perfect friend to have had with me.

I strategically sat by Zack and she and Richard on the other side of me. It turned out to be such a fun night. Zack and I talked a lot during the whole game. We watched but somehow talk of mission days mostly throughout the game. It was pretty fun. Then the fireworks came and the dugout jumping pictures.

In the end the date was all I hoped it would be. Little did we know it would be the beginning to the rest of our lives together.

caught in the act...

Lotion fight... a true indication.

I recently was reminded of this story:

Zack (and his roommates) and I had hung out quite a bit since I had met them. Still Zack was not showing much serious interest. One Saturday, I came over to borrow a movie. Zack and Richard were getting ready their double date that night. As I hung out for a bit I wondered what I was doing there. Zack was not taking ME on that date. He offered some lotion fragrance and upon smelling it decided it would be better for my 12 year old niece. The testing the lotion didn't pass with out a friendly smearing on Zack creating a war zone of a 5 minutes. It was definitely a flirty gesture. I left being really annoyed with Zack. I was supposed to go with him on all of his dates. Realizing I was jealous, it made sense to me that I liked Zack but he did not feel the same. I was pretty sad for the rest of the evening. I realized that if by then (it had been a good 2 months that we had been friends, and I had been on one date with him, of which Richard asked me out) he didn't see the connection then I sincerely doubted he would. I didn't want to wait around for him knowing there were other fish in the sea. I decided that night that I was over him and unless he clearly wanted to be friends (the kind where we hang out just the two of us once in a while) then I was not going to waste my time. I am a pretty rational girl when it comes to relationships.

Well, when I returned the movie at church the next day, I didn't care to stay and chat with Zack. He seemed particularly interested in talking though. Lucky for me different friends quickly interrupted and ceased any conversation he and I may have begun. I didn't try to talk with him more and left feeling confident in my decision to be over Zack.

Later that night, I was out visiting a friend in the hospital. While I was gone, who should call me? Zack! He was at my house and was just in the area, so he said. When it came out that I was not there, he admitted that he was doing his home teaching and wanted to drop off his scriptures as to ride more comfortably on his longboard. Of all the days when I wished he would stop by, and alone mind you, he did it when I was gone! I figured this was a sign that, yes, it was not meant to be.

When I got home from my hospital visit, I realized when his things were still there, that he would have to come get them himself. Did he do that on purpose?? I would not make a special trip to take his things to him. So I just waited to see what happened.

Wow, this is a long story.... So, long story short.

That Tuesday he came and got his stuff. I thought he would just come and go but soon found out I was mistaken on his intentions when he came right in and sat down, immediately striking up conversation. My roommates went to bed and we ended up talking for a couple of hours for the first time just the two of us. I kept thinking, I am still over him, but if he can't see that we would be great together than I don't want a blind guy.

That was Tuesday and by Sunday, we were officially Dating. (He told me how he felt about me first. Amazing!) So, that in my mind, is what good may come from a lotion fight.

the announcment...

bestest friends...

Baby Mamma

On Mother's Day Zack had a lot ahead of him. He was preparing a talk and a lesson to teach. Little did I know he had much more than just those things waiting to happen. After he gave a fantastic talk that made me want to marry him (I really thought seriously about that idea,) he suggested we walk home. I was up for the walk considering it was the first gorgeous day. The weather was perfect it being sunny with clear blue skies and not too hot. While we walked hand in hand I talked to him about some things on my mind. He then just told me that he loved me so much. Then he asked if I knew why he loved me. Because of some wise advise from my sister, I made it a point to listen to any sweet things he was about to say. So, I said, "Well, I think I know why you love me but you should tell me." So, he did. He told me so many nice reasons. He didn't even repeat things. All of this sweet talking was going on as we walked to the castle in Central Park. I really didn't think that we could go in the castle but Zack was sure we could so I just let him lead us there.

We could go up so we joined a few other tourists on the second level and waited for one of these corner nooks to be available to go sit in and continue our talk. Just then a couple got up and left. We snagged their spot in no time. The adoring words continued and I just ate it up. I felt like the happiest luckiest girl. I just sat there so pleased that I saw what I wanted and went for it until I got him (Zack).

It was almost time for the castle to close but still we just sat there. Neither of us are uptight when it comes to getting out on time. But a few minutes later I was suggesting we finally leave. Then Zack said just a minute, as he started to stand up and get in to his bag. I was sure he was getting his camera, you know Zack. I was watching all of the tourists and totally getting side tracked. Zack said my name and when I looked at him he was down on one knee. I would not have thought twice about that it was just that there was this SMILE on his face. I knew something was happening. I would say that I freaked out. I had a hard time breathing. It was awesome. Oh, man, Zack had the biggest smile on his face. I looked down and saw the opening of a red box like in the movies and a super sparkly ring just shining at me. More not breathing.
I waited for an hour while Zack laughed at my reaction. He finally said the words: "Will you..................................... be my baby mamma?" I laughed and thought 'yes.' I figured that was all I would get. Then he said, "I mean, LINDER, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

We were hugging and kissing and happy and laughing and hugging and then Zack said but I have something else for you. He pulled out a small box from Tiffany's & Co. It was a perfect little necklace. Then I looked over. Richard was there and had been taking pictures the whole time. I was so surprised and happy that this occasion had been photo-journaled.

I was and am still so pleased with Zack. That will forever be my best Mother's Day.

I just have one question. Who do you know that has pictures of before, during and after their proposal? Who else? Huh?