It has been three years since I met my best friend Aaron Wilkinson. It was a week to remember. He was in a TAG group that I was originally planning on joining because they were going to my parent's house for dinner so I just thought I would help mom get things ready. However, at the last minute the seminary assigned me a group because I was a part-time student. I loved my group and met wonderful people, but little did I know that week would change my life. Mom kept telling me about this guy she met at the house that had spent time in India and just seemed to be a really neat boy. I kept blowing her comments off because she thinks everyone is a "nice boy".
The next night I happened to meet Aaron at an Ice Cream social, where he interrupted a conversation I was having with a friend. I was pretty annoyed and thought "who the heck is this guy". That was about all I can say of that interaction.
The following night two girls through the beginning of the year party which happened to be a "hoot-a-nanny" this beautiful September evening. So...I did what any fun 24 year old girl would do. I got dressed up in my most ridiculous over the top redneck outfit I could come up with. I looked very silly. Several girls showed up trying to look all cute, but not me. I was there for no other reason than to have fun and meet all the 10 new people to
Wilmore that I didn't already know.
Me and B-O-B! This is minus my trucker hat and fake teeth. I was a vision.
That is when Aaron's TAG leader asked him to play
cornhole and a male friend of mine asked me to play. Me being not only the fun 24 year old girl, but also the smart 24 year old girl decided that Aaron was pretty cute and if I wanted to talk with him I should make sure he had to play against me in
cornhole (meaning he would have to stand next to me for the duration of the game for all of you who are not familiar). This seemed to work in my favor for two reasons.
1. I WON! Shocker. Not really because I win most everything ;).
2. I met a really great guy who seemed to have quite a bit more to offer than just a handsome face. We talked most of the night and had a great time together.
My first pictures with Aaron! Who could have imagined where we would be now.
It didn't all just fall into place after that however. Aaron and I saw each other at group events and ran around in the same friend circles, but were never really together alone. But one night at 11:00 PM (boys don't do this. Girls do try and get some sleep. Call at a reasonable hour) I got a phone call and I saw that it was him. I was very excited but tried not to act it, which wasn't hard as I was half asleep. He asked me to lunch the coming Saturday.
On October 10
th we went to
Panera and I wasn't sure if it was a date or not so I paid for mine. (Ladies, don't do this. If he asks you, it's a date and he pays). It was a lot of fun! Over the next few weeks I went on dates with other guys as did Aaron with other girls. We caught up however at a Bible themed
halloween party, where I went as Proverbs 31(the perfect woman) or a 50's housewife. He couldn't help but fall for me after that. On a side note, I did win for best costume!
Up close with the 50's housewife
The outfit minus my silver platter of brownies. How could he not resist.
This was when we became more intentional. We stopped seeing others and the rest is history. It is the best decision I have ever made and I am so grateful for every moment I have spent with Aaron. We have now been married for 2 years and are pregnant with our first baby. He is a wonderful husband and I know he will be an even better father.