Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Marriage






While I'm not gifted at maintaining a blog about my life ("is this blog real or fake?" I ask myself at times), some sweet and dear happenings have occurred and I do not want to forget details, some of which have already faded. (Please excuse a lengthy post, full of details.)

I met Ben in junior high: truly my prime time. We had classes together both years and I'm sure my braces, beauty, social status, and winning performance in our "Science, the Movie" film from Mr. Granio's 8th grade class all attributed to our eventual romance. As part of a trio of boys who were the most dreamy and inseparable, I always knew Ben to be the nicest (who also possessed good looks and skills on the court). We grew up in the same stake in our church and grew up a mile away from each other our entire lives. However, attending different high schools, Ben at Gilbert High School with myself at Highland High School (our siblings are still having a rough time stomaching the rivalry), Ben and I hung around different friends. While Ben was on his mission, I continued to recognize him as the nicest boy (and my parents thought so, too.). I casually mentioned to a friend that I'd "totally date/marry Ben Barazoto," and she relayed the information to her boss (Ben's dad). Thus, both our parents were conspiring for us to get together months before Ben had ever come home from his mission in Colombia.
Ben came home almost exactly a year ago and took me on a date 3 days after he set foot in the Americas. Perhaps it was the force of our parents or bad timing that did not send sparks flying over our game of bocci ball. However, after a camping roadtrip with friends, a few summer months, and some ineligible relationships later, we found ourselves in each other's company once again.
While talking to my sister, therapist of my life, about my predicament with the most recent less-than-worthy relationship, I said, "I just want to date Ben and no one else ever again." 2 days after my breakup, Ben and I started dating.
Never have I been treated with more respect. I had always known Ben to be respectful, motivated, and a family-guy. After spending time with him daily (we've seen each other every day since starting to date in late October), I know he is the best person and sweetest boy I've ever met. He is patient (seriously, no matter what!), thoughtful, loving, selfless, a budgeting man, athletic, funny, and has goals. I knew that I loved him 2-3 weeks in and tried to keep it in until finally I couldn't take it any longer. Despite my pride, I told him I loved him several weeks later, amid a heavily-beating heart and blushing face. (How could he not have clued into my hints of, "Ben, I like you SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH" over and over again??) He scared me by not responding immediately and prefacing his response with something like, "Now, Jamie, I take this seriously and don't ever say it without meaning it..." He then said the blissful words back and my heart was happier than ever. Ben thinks the delay was funny.
Ben popped the question at Tempe Town Lake late Thursday night (February 9, 2012) post meeting with Bishop AND Sister Lunt. Double trouble. His famous, nervous words at the proposal resembled those of a preacher: "And that's why we are here today..." In a stupor of happiness and embraces, I not-so-innocently avoided looking at the ring (picked out by himself and shown to no one besides his mom, post-purchase)held out before me on bended knee. What had he picked out for me? I was foolish to be nervous because it is KILLER. I said yes and we are getting married May 18th, 2012 in the Mesa, AZ temple. I am amazed at how my love for this sweet boy grows each day (I thought it couldn't get any better?). I'm happier than I've ever been in my life and 58 days couldn't come any sooner!



Photos courtesy of Lang Photographers.

13 comments:

  1. Ahhhhh! I love a good love story, and that's a very good one. :) I enjoying hearing the whole story!

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  2. Yay, marriage! I didn't know the "love story," so I'm glad you finally posted it. I cannot wait for this to actually happen!

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  3. P.S. You're lucky to have Lindsay as your life therapist, and Ben is lucky to have you.

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  4. It's a miracle you guys are so in love considering your roots are in a jr. high friendship. And I'm happy to be of service, by the way.

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  5. I'm taking complete credit for the match! I've been keeping an eye on Ben since he came over to our house to play games in junior high! We couldn't be happier for the both of you!!

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  6. I didn't know you had a blog but I'm happy I discovered it now to see this wonderful post :) Yay I got to hear the story! So excited for you dear cousin!

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  7. I'm so glad you documented this! What a great story and well written too. We are soo happy that everything worked out...despite the rocky beginning. And I could add a few details, but I wont!

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  8. It's a wonderful love story that will never end! So happy for you.

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  9. GAH you two are so cute!!! I am so happy for you and so excited for you to join the married club!!! squeak squeaken squeak squeaker...squeaken!

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  10. Love this!!! I'm so happy for you, Jamie:) Oh, this just makes me happy. p.s. you better invite Granio to your wedding

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  11. Love you, your outfits, your blog, etc.

    XO
    CO

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  12. Love your pictures and your story!

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  13. You are a great writer and need to post more often! So happy for you Jamie. You deserve it.

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