Just Kate: December 2011

Eventually I got used to her being in Florida, we were in contact pretty much all the time and that meant lots of phone calls with Katelin telling me absolutely everything about everything and of course, more Skype dates. My day to leave for my mission was the 9^th of September and the day drew nigh. Even up until the day I left she was my support. The night before I left on my mission, we had a final phone call. It wasn’t a Skype date because I don’t think I could have handled that. It was a pretty good call, relatively normal, considering the circumstances. I don’t remember much of the conversation but I said goodbye to her and went to sleep. I believe the next morning I may have sent her a text message or two but after that, I turned off my phone and I was on my way to the airport. I did surprisingly well for the coming days. I powered through the homesickness I felt and I moved on past the first bit of my missionary service with Katelin behind me the whole way.

This is our history as I can remember up to now. Excuse me if I have left out any significant details or events. As you can see, this woman had an extremely profound affect on me. Even to this day, I communicate with her often and think about her daily. Even to this day, I still look up to her example. The first time I met Katelin I had no idea it would turn into such a life changing relationship, but here I am now, looking back, and I stand in amazement and gratitude for what she has done for me. She pulled me out of the darkest hole I’ve ever found myself in and has shown me the way towards the light of the gospel. She has been the one I can always rely on, always confide in, and one who will always make me smile. I thank my father in heaven for loving me enough to send Katelin Joan Cook into my life. I hope that by my actions, I have shown her that I do love her for who she is. And to Katelin, I would say, thank you and I love you.

So! it's over. That was a trip right?! Well, I love this kid. I love him a lot. We've both changed a LOT in the last 16 months, but every guy I go out with still leaves me wanting that 6'5'' dream I used to date... Anyway. Now I can go back to blogging about myself... and you can all stop reading it! Haha. Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I was going to stay in Nebraska until the end of July, but Katelin was due to leave to Florida for work on the 17^th of August. So, that would have left us only a little over two weeks together. I got my ticket home for the 3^rd of July and set off for Omaha from Lincoln early in the morning. I took an extremely large amount of time that morning getting ready because I was seeing my long lost love again. I had butterflies in my stomach from the time I woke up that morning and the feeling only got worse when I landed in Salt Lake City after a short plane journey. By the time I was leaving the terminal down to baggage claim, my heart was racing. I was trying to play it cool, but I was freaking out on the inside. Knowing Katelin, it was probably worse for her. She had probably been at the airport since I left Nebraska. Nevertheless, she was waiting just outside in her father’s pathfinder. I walked out the doors and saw her a ways off. She immediately jumped out of the car, ran around the side and, on her tippy toes as she always did, kissed me and gave me the best hug I had in a long time. It was hard to find the words to say to her. I just loved her so much, it didn’t help that she looked absolutely stunning as well. I could tell you what she was wearing but I don’t want to seem too girly. We finally got my bags into the car and driving way, just like Katelin would later explain, it was like I never left.

Sugarhouse Park for fireworks!

From the airport we went straight to Sugarhouse Park for a fireworks celebration. We met my family and my grandparents and aunt at the park. It was one of best nights of my life. It was a proper 4^th of July festival. It was so good to be in the warm night sitting on a blanket on the grass with all of my loved ones around, I had missed them all so much. Katelin was part of the family by this point in our relationship. She always fit in quite nicely. The fireworks show was great but not nearly as great as being with Katelin again. We drove home together as well. Ha, I mean I drove her car home with her because there was so much traffic, we parked in the car park of Shopko and it took us ages to get out of it.

He may have said I looked stunning... but he didn't mention the mustache. Quick shout out to Desi... a little waxing gone wrong left me with a scab on my lip. Yeah... welcome home dear. I have a stache.

Life went pretty much back to normal after I came home. I didn’t have school or work for a few weeks so I was really available for Katelin. I missed summers with Katelin. So it was excellent to be back again. I think I needed to have her absent to appreciate her even more because I wanted to be with her 24 hours a day. This was the summer that mike came home from his mission. Katelin and I weren’t dating when he left so I think it took a little bit of getting used to for him. It was good to have him back though. I got to spend quite a bit of time with her family as well that summer. Her family is so fun to be around, just because they are all the nicest people in the world. I had the chance to go boating to Utah Lake and learn how to water-ski, quite the triumph, I know.

Flattering boating picture.

Layin on the trampoline watching Dad do fireworks.

Feeding the duckies.

I really loved that summer. Katelin and I were really at a high point together. We had been through so many things together and we were still on top. I love Katelin for how loyal she is. It sounds funny coming from the man’s perspective but she always made me feel so special. I always knew that she loved me and I always came first and I really noticed it that summer. It slowly winded down and Katelin was due to leave for work in Disney World in the middle of August. We spent one of our last nights together driving out to the desert making a campfire and looking at he stars. I enjoyed myself that evening, but I knew it was almost time to say goodbye. Our final night came and Katelin went home a bit earlier that evening to get some rest for her trip to Florida. (The tears must have fogged his memory... I had a redeye flight, that's what I left for. Poor kid. haha) I walked her out to her car, kissed her goodbye for the final time and then sent her on her way. I immediately walked into the study in the dark and I absolutely lost it. I cried for close to a solid hour. Even Whitney was trying to calm me down but I was inconsolable. It was so hard having someone I loved and someone who was such a huge part of my life just leaving and knowing I would see her for two years. She meant everything to me, she still does, she had truly changed my life. In all honesty, I don’t’ think I could have made it though the years previous without her.