A hard story to tell.
Those few days leading up to that day were all blurred together. We spent every last stinking minute together. Walks around the temple. Hot chocolate trips. All-nighter phone calls. He even came to school with me and sat through my classes just so we could be together.
We knew what was coming. We talked about it... a little. We were ready, and we both tried to put a brave face on for each other.
I even helped him pack ;)
On Oct. 4th the day before he left, we spent the entire day together. Just running around grabbing the last few things on his packing list. And one more walk around the temple talking about the day when I would be able to go in with him and be sealed to him for eternity.
I had a test that afternoon for one of my classes, he dropped me off. I literally rushed through that test so fast, just so I could hurry and be with him again. I didn't want to waste any time! Little did I know that he was up to something. He picked me back up and surprised me with flowers! The biggest, prettiest flowers I have ever seen!! and also a diamond heart shaped necklace. I'm such a lucky girl!
After, he wanted to go and say goodbye to some friends. It started sinking in at this point. I only had a few hours left! I started tearing up just a little bit. I was trying so hard to keep myself together!
I decided to stay in the car while he went in to his friends house. Once I was alone, I broke down and cried! and of course... as if I was in a movie, it started raining. I couldn't hold it in anymore and for those 5 minutes he was gone, I let everything go.
After a few minutes, through my blurry eyes, I saw him walking out of his friends house. I quickly got my act together. Even though the tears had stopped, my eyes were still red and I could tell he knew I had been crying. But he didn't say anything and it's a good thing he didn't, because I probably would have broke down again. He just gave me a hug and smiled and we were on our way.
We drove back up to his house. He changed into his suit because as soon as he dropped me off he was headed to the church to get set apart (I had decided long before, that I didn't want to be there for that part). I need to mention tho...just how good he looked in his suit! Dang! What a handsome soon-to-be missionary!! I was so proud of him.
We were really close on time. By the time we got back to my house he only had 15 minutes before he had to leave to make it to the church on time. 15 MINUTES!! I just wanted to be selfish and hug him for those 15 minutes. But, He wanted to say goodbye to my family. So for 10 of those minutes he said his finale goodbyes to my parents and siblings. The whole time in my head I was freaking out!! This was it! "Be strong, Lindsie. Be strong!" I kept nudging him the whole time, hinting that it was now MY turn to say goodbye.
FINALLY, we walked back outside. We had just a few minutes. We hugged and kissed, and hugged and kissed again and again. We were actually smiling and laughing. I didn't cry.... maybe just a few tears but that's all! I was so strong!
"Well, I'll see you in two years, sweetheart."
He got in his car and pulled out of my driveway. I waved to him until I could no longer see him.
The two years had begun.
Now I had to face my family. I knew they had probably been watching out the window the whole time. I took a deep breath and walked in. My dad was right there gave me a hug. Then the crying started. I went to my room grabbed my blanky and sat on the couch and cried for a good while.
Bittersweet.
I was sad. Sad because the boy I had fallen in love with was not going to be with me for the next two years. Sad because he was going to some small island with strangers. Sad because I had met him now. It would have been so much easier if I had not met him until after he was back. I was worried because I had spent so much time with him. I didn't know what I was going to do with all my free time now.
But I was soo SOOO proud of him for choosing to serve the lord.
That night my dad took my brother and I out to dinner and a movie. I can't even tell you what the movie was about... I didn't pay attention at all. My mind was on other things. But I was so grateful for my dad and getting me out of the house. I remember thinking, "I may not have my best friend here but I still have the best family with me."
The next day, I woke up feeling good! Elder Lund was on his way the the MTC I went to lunch with my mom. Seriously I can't thank my family enough for being there for me at this time! In the middle of lunch my phone rang. It was Al calling me for the last time, telling me that he was almost to the MTC. I was so excited for him!! After we said a bunch of mushy gushy lovey stuff, he said he was going to call me back and to not answer because he was going to leave me a voice mail and that I couldn't listen to it until that night. :) I said goodbye to him one last time and hung up the phone. It rang again just a moment later and it was soooo hard not answer it just to hear his voice one last time!!
After lunch, we went shopping. I remember getting pics from Terena, Al's mom, as she kept me updated.
These were taken after he got set apart the night before.
Pics in front of the Provo temple
In this pic he said he was hugging me:)
Then, I got a text from Terena that said.. "Just dropped him off! You hanging in there?"
Whew! Deep breath. Still going strong!
After shopping, my AWESOME aunt gave me a pedicure. I remember telling her, "I'm good! Didn't think I would be this good! This isn't hard at all!"
Spoke to soon.
The next day, Thursday, I woke up sick. Coincidence? I'm not sure.... I stayed in bed and skipped my first two classes. Finally, I got my butt out of bed and decided to get ready for institute.
This picture is REALLY embarrassing. But it shows exactly how I felt. I was planning on sending it to Al in one of his letters hahaha. You can see I'm wearing the necklace he gave me, my promise ring, and his t-shirt. I was a mess!!
At institute I broke down and cried and left class early. Seriously embarrassing.
It was Terena's b-day so I grabbed her some flowers dropped them off to her while she was teaching dance. I gave her a quick hug, made sure she was doing okay and then headed to work. Work kept me busy so that was good. I even sat down and wrote Al his first letter. I also got a surprise at work. Terena and Kyra stopped by to see me after dance! They stayed and talked to me for awhile. It help a lot :) and I am so glad for their support for Al and I.
The next day (Friday) I woke up feeling good. Two days down. 728 days to go.
I went to school and made it to all my classes! Walking to the last class of the day. I realized I hadn't cried at all! I was doing so good! Just as I got to class I got a text from Terena...
"Linds, Kurt is on the phone with Al."
WHAT!!!! I walked out of class and called her immediately. She didn't have much details because she could only guess what was going on from what Kurt was saying to Al on the phone. She said, "I think Kurt it going to pick up Al. I'll call you back with more details."
I called my dad crying. Drove to his work and sat and cried some more. I still didn't know much. Just that Al was probably coming home. Then I drove to my work and sat and cried to my boss, Oliver. I was scheduled to work in just a couple hours. He helped me find someone to cover my shift. Then on my way home, Terena called and I sat and cried to her. You could say I was a little emotional. She told me Kurt was on his way to go pick up Al and he would be back in a couple hours.
It's the weirdest thing to have to mentally prepare for something for so long and then just a single text flips everything upside down. I didn't understand, nor could I even comprehend it...hence all the tears.
After a couple of emotional hours I pulled myself together and went to the MC football game to watch Rhy (Als bro) play. I sat with Terena. We didn't want anyone to know because we still weren't sure what was going to happen. People kept asking how I was holding up and how Alek was doing. I had to put a game face on and pretend like everything was just dandy. It was so hard!
After the game, Terena and I rushed to the house. Alek had gotten back a little bit earlier and had already been released.
The next part might be a bit cheesy...
I remember walking through the door. I was nervous for some reason. I hadn't planned on seeing him for two years and here I was 3 days later going to see him. I saw him at the top of the stairs and literally ran and gave him the biggest hug in the history of biggest hugs. and for the first time that day... I didn't cry! I was just sooo happy. I remember him saying He was sorry and that there had been a changed of plans. But, it was okay because now we could just start planning a wedding. EEEK!
I know this is pretty personal information, especially for my Al. I also know A LOT of people have their own opinions about this kind of stuff. For the most part, people have been really supportive of Alek. There have been a few however, that voice their opinion a little too loudly. I don't understand those people.
"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." John 8:7
Personally I couldn't be more proud of my Al. He's not a bad person for not going on a mission. He might have missed out on some awesome experiences and blessings but he is still an amazing person with a strong testimony. I love him more than words can say!
2 months later he proposed.
and 8 months later we were sealed together for eternity! <3
Our "Happily Ever After" might have came a bit sooner than planned but, I wouldn't have it any other way!
Today, talking to my dad, He asked me how much life would be different if instead of sitting here at work blogging, I was waiting at the airport for Al to come home.
First... I probably would be finished with school. With a degree I'm not even going to use and thousands of $$ in debt.
I would probably still have the same crummy job at Bed Bath and Beyond (sorry BBB friends)
I wouldn't have gone through the temple yet.
I wouldn't have my Rorie puppy dog.
I wouldn't own my own home!
and the number one thing... I wouldn't be married to my best friend. I can't even imagine giving up these last couple of years. They have been unforgettable.
I don't regret anything and I love my Al more than words express :)
oh and also my Rorie ;)
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