Our Courtship

Jeff and I met after Jeff received a persistent string of text messages from my aunt, Barbara Tarwater, in June 2012. She had contacted Jeff and informed him (rather boldly I might include) that he deserved me and I deserved him. Jeff was a bit reluctant to contact me but felt it was a safe decision since I lived in another state. Little did he know that in a matter of months we would be engaged...then married. Jeff and I started our courtship by exchaning emails, then text messages, then phone calls. In July 2012, Jeff convinced me to fly to Utah to meet him. I did not go unprepared. I carried with me a list of pros and cons regarding a relationship with him. I had never imagined seriously dating a man who was divorced or who had four children; however, after that weekend together, I knew he was the one for me. Jeff was (and is) my prince charming. From day one, he has been patient, understanding, complimentary, kind, genuine, loving, etc. I had waited all my life to find someone like him...even if I didn't expect he would come with the package he did. Yet, he is worth it all. Plus, I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to help parent his four amazing children. From day one, they have opened their hearts and their home to me. It is a privilege to know, love, care for, and live with these incredible individuals. In any case, here are a few pictures from our courtship:

 

Jeff took me to eat at The Roof restaurant at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City on our first date (as seen in the top picture). Temple Square and City Creek Center (the bottom picture in the fountain at City Creek) became a traditional date night spot on the days I would fly in to visit Jeff in Utah.

During that first weekend, we spent a lot of time in Payson/Santaquin Canyon as we discussed the logistics of whether or not to continue our relationship. It was at this lookout point that I realized I loved Jeff...despite all the "cons" that may have been involved in a relationship with him. I haven't looked back since that day...and I continue to look forward to many more days/months/years with him.

 

 

As you can imagine our courtship took place in two different states: Arizona and Utah. Above are a few photos from our activities in Utah. In the top photo, we are at Park City. We enjoyed the Alpine Slide and Coaster with the kids. The next two photos are from when we took the boys to go pick out pumpkins with my brothers, their wives, and my niece, Kaia.

These are a few images of the dates we enjoyed in Arizona. Jeff and I went to a Diamondbacks baseball game as well as a ASU football game. In Decemeber, Jeff brought the kids down (minus Laurin who had school obligations). We went to a local community theater's production of a Christmas Carol then out hiking in the great AZ desert with my nephew, Tyler, and niece, Kate.

For some, our courtship may have been too quick...but for Jeff and I it was just perfect. From the beginning, we were open and honest with each other. We were quick to ascertain whether or not we were compatible and if we wanted to make things work. Jeff has been the blessing I've prayed for my entire adult life. I couldn't have asked for a better match.