The Beginning.

Okay, So I feel super sad with myself that I didn't do this sooner. Oh maybe 5 years ago? I never journaled about how I met Steve or our first date. I know I'll always remember it, but I think it's better if I have something in writing. SO, since this is my journal, I'm going to write all about how I met Steve, our first date, engagement and wedding. I'm still kicking myself. WHY didn't I do this when it was all happening. But, I can't turn back time, so here goes.

When I first met Steve.

Steve and I both worked at 1800CONTACTS together. Our schedules were completely opposite of one another and so I never, ever saw Steve. My mom used to work at 1800Contacts too. She would always come home and tell me and kart how cute this guy was that she sat by at work and how she wanted us to meet him and to date him. At the time I was in a serious relationship with a guy that I dated for 3 years and then he was on his mission. I had no desire to really date anyone, or to get serious with anyone else. One day my mom asked me to come over to her desk and to meet Steve. I said "Hi I'm Keira, nice to meet you" and that was about it for our first introduction. Actually. That wasn't our first introduction. A couple months before I even dated Steve, I had a late night and so did he. I was reading a letter from my missionary who went to Sao Paulo and he wrote something in Portuguese. Steve's friend Todd was across from my desk and I said "Does anyone know portuguese or Spanish and tell me what this means?" Todd said that he knew how and read it for me. Than Steve says "You and your missionary won't last,they never do." That really ticked me off. For one, Who does he think he is? Telling me what won't happen with me and my missionary and two he doesn't even know me. (BUT he was RIGHT :) ) Anyway, So after I met Steve we found out that we did work an hour or two during the same time. So Steve sent me an email. Asking me all sorts of questions. What I liked to do, what i'm doing at school etc.. One day as I was leaving work Steve asked me for my phone number. I gave him my house number instead of my cell. I figured Im not home to often, so the chances of him being able to ask me on a date aren't very likely. (I know, not very nice) Well, while I was at school in Orem leaving institute I got a call on my cell phone from Steve. I was super shocked. I never gave him my phone number, but my MOM did. Steve asked me if I had any plans for the weekend and that he would like to take me out on a date. I agreed and told him I would see him Friday.

1800 contacts building..yep, the place we met.

Our First Date.

I remember being a little mad at my parents. Especially my mom for giving out my phone number. To be honest I was a little weird in regards to dating Steve. I always kind of knew that Steve was something special. I wasn't ready to get into anything serious. I had my missionary and it scared me.

I remember being up in my bedroom getting ready and I heard the door bell ring. I was so nervous. I had HUGE butterfly's in my stomach. I kept telling myself that I'm not going on this date. My mom yelled up the stairs for me to come down because Steve was here. I went down the steps and in the kitchen I saw Steve laughing and joking with Kolten and dad. I looked at Kolten and then at Steve. They had a very similar resemblance. Which freaked me out even more. Steve wore this white pooka shell necklace and his leather jacket, he smelled extremely good. He really impressed me. He was very likable. My parents could easily talk with him and he treated me so kindly. He asked my dad what time he would like me home and than opened the car door for me. (whoa! am I dreaming? seriously. If I remember right, not very many guys ever opened a car door me) While in the car, even though we really didn't talk too much before we went on this date. I could easily carry a conversation with him. I felt super comfortable and there was no awkwardness. I just kept getting butterflies. I remember trying to make myself not to enjoy to it much-I had a missionary for pete's sake. Steve took me first to Macaroni Grill, but the wait was really long. "He said I'm really sorry, I should of made reservations" I wasn't too worried. I just told him that's fine and whatever we did I was fine with. He then made a call and asked me if I had ever gone to "The Roof." (Yeah, I had gone to "The Roof", for Prom and I remember it being REALLY expensive.) I told him yes I had, it's a really nice place.

We got back in the car and made our way to the Roof, as we got off the ramp a car almost hit us and Steve had to slam on the breaks. We weren't hurt and we didn't get hit-thank goodness (we actually almost got hit the next three dates too..) Anyway, we made it to the roof and Steve and I couldn't stop talking. We sat at the table for over 2 hours just talking and getting to know each other. I was able to just be myself, and be open with him. He was too. I still remember being taken away when we first sat down, and the couple next to us out of the blue asked us if we are celebrating an anniversary. (That made me get butterflies even more, but c'mon people couldn't you see I didn't have a ring? nor did he?)

After we ate we went to Spanish Fork and danced at this little country dance place by the Purple Turtle. We met up with Steve's friend Todd and his wife Larissa. The whole time I kept thinking how do I know Todd? I've seen him before. (I didn't put two and two together until a couple other dates that Steve and I went on. Remember when Todd and Steve said me and missionary wouldn't last?) Anyway, I had a great time with Steve at the dance. He kept trying to pull me close to him, and I would gently, kind of push him a little bit further from me. I didn't want him to get any ideas that I wanted to keep dating, or get into a relationship. Like, I said I was weird.

We were running a little late from the time Steve told my dad that I would be home, So he asked me to call my dad and let him know. Seriously, how thoughtful and courteous.

We made it home to my house (I don't remember the time, or the exact words) Steve gave me a hug and told me that he had a great time and that he would call me. I told him I had fun too and went inside the house. My parents were BEAMING of happiness. They were so happy that I went out on a date, especially with someone so kind. They liked my missionary but they didn't love my missionary. With Steve they were already starting to love.

Other Dates.

Steve and I went saw each other pretty much every day after that. We went on lots of different dates, and even though I kept trying to push him away I couldn't help it. Everything about Steve made me happy. He was exactly who I wanted to be with. He was perfect to me.

-We went to pretty much EVERY restaurant in the valley.

-Sledding and then to Nicklecade

-Shot gun shooting

-Hide and Seek at Target

-Question Game

-Hanging out at our houses

-Watching movies

-Double dates with Todd & Larissa Bowman & Dustin and Amber Foreman

-Zoo

-Manila

-Bingham's Jr. Prom

Steve and I starting talking about marriage in May. Things were going extremely fast, but not at the same time. Everything seemed so perfect and we couldn't wait to get married. We were spending so much time together and loved every minute of it.

I started to get a little weird again about how fast things were going and it scared me. I always thought that I would date the man I was going to marry for at least a year before we even started to talk about marriage. I broke things off with Steve and that didn't last but 2 days before we were back together again. (I was a little immature..) My missionary came home and that also made things a little more difficult. Steve also had gone through a really serious relationship before he met me and so we both decided we would wait a year before we started of talking of marriage again. I figured if I wasn't getting married anytime soon I would go on a mission that I was planning on doing since I was super young. I talked with my bishop and he agreed, he gave me my papers.

Steve wasn't too happy when he found out that I had my papers. He sat down and talked with me and told me that he wants to get married. I didn't want to rush our relationship just because I was getting my mission papers, but it seems to have sped up the process.

I was getting really confused feelings about what I should do. I could go on a mission, come home and then see if I'm to marry Steve. Or I could marry Steve and go on a couples mission.

Both were great ideas. I kept praying to Heavenly Father for an answer of what I should do. This is a HUGE, HUGE decision.

I got my answer while I was in Relief Society with Steve's mom. I was sitting there listening to the lesson when I had this overwhelming peaceful feeling and the words came in to my thoughts that I should marry Steve. I told Steve and he told me he had the same experience during Priesthood.

Engagement.-July 20th, 2006

Steve and I went to the Ford cabin in Manila to spend the weekend with the fam. When we first got there Ellen made us some sandwiches and then Steve told me he wanted to take me to the overlook. I thought that was a great idea, I heard it was really pretty. I asked if everyone else wanted to come, but they said they needed to weed the front yard. I told them that we could help and then go later. They kept telling me no and that we should just go. So Steve and I drove to the overlook. Steve asked me if I knew what day it was. I told him "yes, the 20th of July." I had a little hunch he was up to something, but I wasn't sure.

We made it to the look out. It was super pretty. It was just the two of us.

Steve says "What do you think of this view?" I said it was really pretty. He than says "Even though this is beautiful it pales in comparison to you and the person you are." Then he gets down on one knee and said "That's why I want to ask you, Keira Anderson will you marry me?"

I yelled yes! and hugged him and kissed him. He than says "Keira you didn't even look at the ring!" I was so happy that I get to marry my best friend for the eternities the ring didn't matter to me. Don't get me wrong, the ring was and is perfect. It's so pretty and I'm so grateful for it, but the ring didn't matter as much to me as being married to Steve.

We sat up on the bench and looked at the overlook. Took pictures and then spread the good news.

Steve and I talked about getting married in October, but we couldn't wait so we moved up the date to September 20. 2 months exactly from our engagement.

Engagement pics

Married for Eternity.-September 20, 2006

I couldn't sleep at all the night before. I had butterflies like mad and my family kept me up too. They kept coming into my room crying and being so sad that I'm moving out. It was really sweet. I was sad to leave my family too, but I was also really excited to be spending my life with Steve.

Kartier did my hair for the wedding, so we woke up at 6:00 am to make sure we had enough time for to get it the way I wanted it. She did a fantastic job and I'm so extremely grateful for her.

Steve picked me and my mom up from my house and we drove to the Salt Lake Temple. Steve and I held hands, not saying to much. I think we both were a little in a daze.-We're getting Married in just a couple hours!!!

When we made it to the temple, Bob and Ellen were in front waiting for us too. It was nice to see them.

We had so many family members at are wedding, they were all such a great support.

I won't really go into much detail of when we were sealed because that's sacred. But, it's such an amazing experience. That is one memory I won't ever forget. Written or not, I will always remember it. I love knowing that I'm sealed for the eternities to Steve and to my future family.

After the wedding, me and mom went back into the dressing room and she helped fix my hair and makeup. We went outside to see all the family members there supporting us! Then the pictures began. :) Lots, and Lots.

We had a luncheon at the Beehive house, and had a nice program with Tam singing and Dad and Bob spoke.

After the luncheon we went to the reception center-Carmelle

Our line wasn't supposed to start until 6:30 and end at 8:30pm, but because we had so much support from family and friends it started at 6pm and didn't end until 10:30pm! If I would change anything, I would of probably of shortened the line.

Steve and I danced, and then he danced with Ellen and I danced with dad. That was probably one of the hardest things for me. I've always been a daddy's girl. Dad and I have a special bond. It was a bitter sweet moment for me to dance with him. Steve and I didn't get to eat anything until super late-not even the cake but it was a perfect day. I loved everything about it. My most favorite part was being sealed to Steve.

These wedding pics were taken by Bob & Ellen. :) All my other wedding pics are scrap booked and not on this computer.

So that's how our story of Steve and Keira began.