Chapter 7: Provo Winters

There were a few ups and downs over those winter months. It proved to be a trying time. However, there were a few good memories. One in particular was when I got my appendix taken out. Ocean Floor Traffic played a show in early September and as usual, Katelin was there. The show went well but all day I was feeling a bit ill. The feeling continued after the show and even until Katelin and I were hanging out that night. At about 11:45, I couldn't handle the pain in my stomach anymore so I convinced her to let me take her home. She reluctantly agreed. I felt a little bad because she had spent the whole night worrying and trying to care for me. I went home after dropping her off and got my mom to take me to the hospital. To make a long story short, I got my appendix taken out somewhere around 5:00-6:00 AM. It all went well, seeing as I'm writing this now. As soon as I woke up again, of course, there she was, waiting patiently with my mother and sister. Ha. the three women in my life all surrounding me as I sat naked in a hospital gown. I was a little out of it. So I'm sure they all saw my bum at least once. I finally made it home safely and I spent the next week in bed. She would visit me often, bringing me whatever my heart desired. Such a caring soul. She was patient with me as well, letting me take my time and not snuggling too much if it hurt.

I learned a lot about Katelin during this time. We had been dating for a little while, but I came to know her more and more with the passing time. One instance in particular taught me how sensitive she is. I ended up playing a show with the Dream Team with a couple of very good friends. Us being the pompous rock stars that we were, we never watched the other bands, but chose to sit outside instead. It was the band plus Katelin. The friends I had like to smoke, so that's what they spent their free time doing. Here we were out back of this sketchy venue with my incredible girlfriend and my hellion friends just sat there cursing and smoking. It was normal to me, so I didn't think much of it, but apparently it was too much for Katelin. We drove home separately that night and I got word that she ended up crying because of what she had gone seen. I felt awful. I dropped Chub off at his house, and made Jake sit in the car while I went outside and called her. She was doing a little bit better, but I had some sincere apologizing to do. I remember it was raining outside in Daybreak where I was and I was chatting with her on a dark neighborhood street. I had a pit in my stomach. This taught me that I need to do everything I can to protect her. I'm not sure what she would say, but hopefully I was a bit more caring after that.

November was a good month for us. November was when Katelin and I performed on stage together for the first time. Somewhere around September, my friend Jared and I got the grand idea of playing in the high school battle of the bands, so we got to work. What we ended up with was a 10-piece hip hop group called Johnny, The Miracle with Katelin singing the chick vocals. It was quite the experience but one of the funnest times of my life. We practiced often and it was hard trying to coordinate with 9 other people; but Kate turned into quite the band mate, present at every practice she could, and she always gave it her all. I felt like her and I were running a giant family. The practices started to go really well and before long it was time for the performance.

The day came very quickly but the anticipation was killing me. That day before the show that night seemed to last forever. Finally, we all arrived at Alta High School and loaded our gear backstage. We weren't on for a little while so we watched some bands together and then a couple minutes before we were due onstage we all went backstage for a little warm up. I remember all ten of us were huddled in a circle backstage and everyone gave their last words... it was incredible and it was also incredible to have Katelin right by my side through the whole process. Then Jared began to sing his opening guitar part, Katelin joined in with her opening lines and then the next thing I knew everyone was joining in. Adam was singing his bass part, Sam was beat boxing his drums and Mason was doing his keys part and then Even threw down his verse and we continued around the circle until we had performed the whole song. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know everyone else did. I loved looking at Katelin and seeing how much she was loving it.

The actual performance went extremely well. We had so much energy and excitement and the crowd loved us. I felt that everyone gave it 100%. I knew Katelin was quite the performer, but she impressed me that night. As far as I know, it was the first time she had ever performed vocals for a hip hop group... but she performed like she had done it a million times. We didn't win that night, but we definitely should have! We made up later with the after party though!

That's the infamous "Jared" in the middle :)

We were kind of unorganized....

We spent the rest of the evening together. I always get such a rush and such a high after playing shows and it was awesome to spend that time after the show with Katelin. We stopped by her house on the way to mine and watched a clip of our performance that her family had taken. Then we went over to my house. I think the Cook clan assumed I was taking her straight back to provo, sorry again Roger and Monica. We went back to my house to relax for a bit. I can't remember when i took her home, but it was definitely late... let the record show, we made it safely!

This is one of the many late night drives I would take down to Provo and back. Over that semester and winter semester as well, I would drive down to Provo 3-4 times a week. I would always be down that way in the evening time and then stay into all hours of the night. I absolutely loved this time in our story. I would stay over late, kiss her goodbye, then get on the road and then text or chat on my drive home. I'm a man who really enjoys his sleep and these late night drives were definitely hindering the amount of it I got. But, Katelin is worth it, I assure you. I remember always being deep in thought on these drives and i always pondered about how I will always remember those dark, cold drives from Provo to Draper and the feeling that I always left Katelin's with. I would think about this or just scream Beatles songs into the night. Or both...

My cute apartment that I miss soooo much!

Date night!! We called it "Christmas in B31"

I believe this leads us to Christmas break. Christmas break meant Katelin was back in Sandy for a few weeks. We inaugurated Christmas break with another movie marathon at Cyndi's. This time it was time for six star wars movies. It was crazy that only a year had passed since the Lord of the Rings marathon. At that one, we were only thinking of being together and now our relationship was in full swing. The day started very early with breakfast at McDonald's, of course.

And then we spent the next 18 hours snuggling. Heaven for Katelin, I'm sure.

matching shirts and light sabers please. 

I think this was after the 5th movie... we were 100% delirious.

Christmas break turned out to be a little difficult for us. My father's family was in town and it was busy at Katelin's. So it was very troublesome trying to have some alone time. We did find some ways though. One night we had been together all day and not been left alone once. We finally gave up and I was driving Katelin back home when we passed Draper Park. Acting out of impulse, I turned the car into the car park there. At the Draper Park, in the middle of this field there was this giant tree. It was been decorated with Christmas lights and cast light outwards, illuminating a circle in the show. We got out of the car and raced through the snow to the under the tree in this light. Katelin had on just sip on shoes and her feet must have been freezing. We stayed quiet for a few moment looking up... then of course we threw some snow at each other. I remember reflecting on our history up to that point and realizing even more how much she meant to me. It really is hard to put it in words. Her face was all lit up by the white lights. Being with her that night, being lighthearted with her, that was the epitome of my first Christmas with Katelin.

One fun thing we got to do during our crazy Christmas break, a sleigh ride up to a cabin for dinner with his extended family! I was sick as a dog, but still had fun. I just LOVE the Rodgersons!!!

This kid a pro ice skater. It's weird really...

We did have quite the gift exchange that Christmas. We decided to get away for just one night to exchange presents. Katelin's apartment in Provo was empty due to all her roommates going home for the holidays. So we went there to spend the evening. We baked sugar cookies and watched Elf. But, my favorite part was the things we got each other. i had bought Katelin tickets to see this dance show sometime in February and then realized last minute that they didn't look very good on their own. I bought a frame from Ikea, I think Katelin was with me when I bought it... then I sketched a picture of some pointe shoes and slapped it in the frame with the two tickets. It looked magnificent. Her present to me was way better though. Katelin went all out. She was very missionary minded at this point so she got me some books that would help me prepare for my mission, but she also got me a Nintendo 64. How great is that?! I still think she regrets this purchase, but I think it was my favorite Christmas present I've ever received. The night turned out to be terrific, we packed up our things and for the first time in a long time, we drove home from Provo together.

Yes, these adorn my wall. This seriously took him like 20 minutes. If even. Talented little punk.