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?