Best, Incredibly Low-Fat, Healthy Greek Salad EVER.

-This is for one serving-
About a cup and a half of chopped Romaine lettuce
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
2 TBS. chopped purple onions
1 small chopped grilled chicken breast**
1 TBS. Feta cheese
Pinch of Kraft low-fat grated parmesan cheese
1 TBS. Fat-free Greek Dressing (Can find at any grocery store)

Put it all in a mixing bowl and mix it up with some tongs. Enjoy your delicious, awesomely healthy salad!
* Best when chicken is warm and fresh :)

** Grilled chicken breast: Set the oven to BROIL on HI

3- 4 chicken breasts (I make more than 1 so I can have leftovers for my next salad!)

I usually cut the chicken up into smaller pieces so it will cook faster - usually ends up to be about 8 pieces after cut. I use Knorr Garlic Herb seasoning and about a TBS of light olive oil - mix the raw chicken in with about half the package of seasoning until it is creamy and well-spread out. Spray your broiling pan with PAM non-stick spray and place the chicken pieces on it, spread out. Put the chicken in the oven, about 5-6 inches away from the heat coils at the top. Cook about 6 minutes, checking occasionally. When it's done, take it out and turn the chicken pieces over and cook for another 5 minutes. Take the chicken out and cut some of the pieces to see if they're done - if they're still pink, put them in for another 3 minutes or still, checking occasionally. Then when they're done, cut them up and enjoy!

The Rhino vs the Unicorn

I'll admit it, I have problems with my self body image. Almost my whole life I have wished I was somebody else, and have tried to attain an unrealistic body for the wrong reasons. It has all backfired on me. Even after losing 100 pounds, I am still not happy with the way I look. No matter what everybody has ever told me, I've never been proud of my achievement or happy with what I am. I still struggle with wanting to have that perfect magazine body.. I honestly try again and again to get it. But then the husband and I want to go out and get ice cream.. what to do then? I think a lot of us have a problem with trying to be someone we're just not. I realized that we all are a pretty perfect version of exactly what we are. Who is to say that thin is beautiful? Sure, it's good to be healthy, but when did beauty start playing a part? When did the world become so materialistic and obsessed with image? I would like to share a story with all of you. It helped me take a new perspective to all of this...

"This picture makes me so sad and it also embodies a lot of what is wrong with media and its effect on body image. The unicorn in the photo doesn’t exist. It’s an unattainable dream in the clouds. Also, the unicorn is a horse. The poor rhino on the treadmill is a RHINO. Rhinos and horses aren’t in the same family of species. That rhino is built like a rhino. It’s a beautiful rhino. It looks exactly the way a rhino should look. But if it only ever thinks it’s supposed to look like something that it genetically and physically just is not, it will believe that it won’t be beautiful ever. It’s exactly the same thing with girls and “thinspiration.” Bodies in magazines are photoshopped. Not even the models in the magazines look like the pictures. Ladies, don’t look at something that isn’t you and wish that you could be it. Look at yourself and wish to be yourself. Don’t love something fake and unattainable more than your own self. Love your self, or a version of your self you want to become, but don’t disregard everything you have going on for you in favor of some poster figure. And furthermore, don’t give in to what media and society tell you about your body. Own your body and love it. It does everything for you and it’s the only one you have. Don’t hate the way it looks just because it doesn’t look like a magazine picture. That’s no way to treat something that literally does everything for you. Dear cartoon rhino in this picture, you are perfect just the way you are. BE a rhino. OWN being a rhino. Embrace being a rhino. You want to be a rhino that exists and not a fake horse with a horn that doesn’t exist. Replace that poster with a poster of a rhino. You are a beautiful rhino with a beautiful horn, an adorable tail, and adorable ears, and all the other rhinos love you exactly the way you are."

** Note: This is not to discourage trying to become a healthier you, just trying to emphasize the point that being thin does not necessarily make you internally happy or beautiful. You are already beautiful. Own it!

Midterms Are Over!

Well, made it through the first midterms week of the semester with flying colors! A's on all my tests except for one, but the whole class average was far too low
 so it's looking like around a B + on that one, maybe even an A -! 

Even though I did well, it came at a price. Stress beyond belief, literal non-stop studying, bloodshot eyes, a head cold, never thought I could be so tired... Physically and mentally. 

That was the hardest midterms week I've ever been through! 

Bring on the next one. 

But hey, I'm alive, it's Friday, and I'm going to Frightmares tomorrow with friends and family. 

Things all worked themselves out :)

Time to ignore my bit of homework I should be catching up on and give myself a break.

If not, I think I'll go crazy.

Life is good.

Gratitude

I can't believe how much has been going on lately! I haven't blogged in months.

Nate and I are doing great - better than ever, busier than ever.

Both in school taking 14 credit hours and working 30 hours a week.

I volunteer on Saturday at the Utah State Hospital, he works on Saturdays.

We are grateful for Sunday.

Sunday is the only day of the week we get to spend good quality time together.

We take a break from the homework and all of our worldly worries and just enjoy the day together. 

Such a wonderful blessing that our Heavenly Father has given us. 

He knows that all of us lead very busy lives, and he advises to take one day off to stay sane...

Smart man He is.

Even though we are busy, keeping our lives busy is such an important thing, and we know it!

I honestly feel less stressed now that I have things to do. 

I am grateful for prayer. 

Prayer is what gets Nate and I through each long day. 

Prayer is what helps me wake up at 6:00 am every week day to make the drive to Provo.

Prayer is what helps Nate to stick around even though I'm a bit crazy ;)

Prayer is what keeps our marriage strong and joyful.

We love the gospel, and we love each other.

I am grateful for this guy right here..

He has made my life completely 100% worth it. 

Every tear ever shed over a broken heart,

Every discouraging thought I've ever had,

Every terrifying moment when I felt I just wouldn't make it...

Has all been worth it

Thanks to Nate. 

He keeps me happy and feeling good about myself.

He never fails to come home from work and say, "Dangggg girl! Mmm is that MY wife?!"

He never fails to be honest with me about life, even if it's hard for me to hear.

He always kisses me goodbye in the morning.

He never gets upset with me.

He forgives and forgets. (By the way, KEY to a happy marriage.)

He loves to make me laugh, especially at night when we are trying to sleep. 

We have so much fun together.

We have the same goals for the future.

He believes in me, and I believe in him!

We balance each other out.

Plain and simple....

I love him.

He helps me learn patience.

He reminds me on a daily basis to enjoy the simplicity of life. (He may not know he does this, but he does.)

He is kind to others.

He has a one-of-a-kind way of loving people.

He is everything I've ever wanted. 

I am grateful for him everyday, and it will stay that way for the rest of my life. 

There will be fear, sadness, anger, and frustration in the years to come.

There will also be triumphs, joy, and love.

And he'll always be mine,

And that alone will bring me enough happiness to last me forever.

I am grateful that I married the right person,

In the right place,

At the right time.

And I get to be with him forever. 

The Big 21.

The 22nd was my 21st birthday!! It feels pretty good to be a legal adult. The birthday festivities were awesome as always! This past Saturday was also mama's birthday, so Nate and I had a sleepover on Saturday night, then we had a combined birthday party on Sunday for us! (Although Saturday was really mama's b-day party and Sunday was mainly mine). Saturday was super fun! We took mama to George's and decorated the table and everything! She really liked it. We also got her a really awkward, triple-stacked balloon... Kinda cute but also weird. Also the rose we got her ended up smelling like a dirty diaper.. We're the best kids she could ever ask for. ;) But it was fun and she loved it and we came home and ate ice cream cake provided by me and Nate.
Sunday, my birthday festivities began! We had pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, candy for lunch (well, I did), and ribs with roasted vegetables and biscuit-rolls.. mmmm. It was all wonderful!
The birthday presents were the best though.. they always are :)
I got...

This adorable purse!! I have yet to find awesome pumps to match it... But isn't it gorgeous!? :) My husband is the greatest :)

I also got these beauties from my wonderful husband! He knows me well - pink roses are my favorite! Such a sweetheart.

LOVE these shoes... I picked them out and my great sister Madi got them for me!! Love her! 

Finally got my new sneakers for half marathon running madness! Let me tell ya, these babies are amazing! I didn't even have to wear them in... they are awesome. SO comfortable and GREAT for running! :)

I got this incredible work of art as well. These things are amazing... I have never tasted better cooking than when it is a product of one of these bad boys. I am SO EXCITED! Thanks to my parents and husband, I finally have one of my own!!! THANK YOU!!

Skyd gave me this adorable shirt that I'm in love with!!! Thanks Toid! Love youuu! She also gave me my FAVORITE color of nail polish ever. Thought a picture might not do it justice. It's brownish gray. Love it. Thank you Skyd.

Nate and I went shopping and I saw this and we both were like.. "Hmmm. I really like that. But it's something I would never usually get. Let's get it!" I love it, So cute :)

Better view of the dress.

Aaaand last but not least! One of my favorite shows growing up! Nate surprised me with this one :) Thanks baby! (Sorry, all of these are taken on my webcam so that's why it's backwards :) )

As you can see, I had a fantastic birthday!! I would have put up more pictures of the actual party, but those are on mama's camera. Thanks for reading! :)

Half Marathon!

I have decided to start training for my first half marathon! I am so excited- I just love running! First, my sister in law and I had the idea to train for and run a 5k in September or October. So, we are working on that first then going to run a half probably in Spring because I don't really want to run one in snow ;) I am so excited!! Training so far is going great. I've started off running about 3.5 miles a day. It's only going to get easier.. and better :) BUT. I've decided that if I want to be a runner, I going to need some new running shoes..

Maybe some like these beauties?? :) Hopefully my husband will agree that I need some new shoes. I think my running shoes that I have now are from... Shopko? Ya. My mom thought they would still be good quality. But not for avid runners! Here's to running! This is my next goal!

Welcome to Our Home.... Part II

 Sorry, it didn't want to post any more pictures in the right place on the last post.. so here is the rest of our apartment. Please remember to look at the post below FIRST!

This is our cute laundry room, straight to the back of our apartment. MyKey- love the crockpot. 

Our hallway into the bathroom...

This picture is not in the right place, but I'm too annoyed of trying to fix it so I'm just going to leave it. This is our sink.

And our beautiful shower curtain and perfectly matching towels.. the shower curtain really is beautiful.. you'll have to see it in person to notice though.

And this is the picture that was supposed to pop up first. So.. our bathroom!

And last but CERTAINLY not least... Our bedroom.  Yes, our bed is very high. The movers came in to set it up and asked me how high I wanted it and I said high, not thinking it would be THIS high, but then I had forgotten that we also had a very tall mattress. So we were quite shocked of it's height when it was all put together. But, we haven't lowered. Mainly because we're lazy and I like it that way, it makes me feel like a queen. 

Our beautiful dresser. I am in love with this black furniture. 

And a view from the other side of the room.

And here is our lovely walk-in closet. My side is the long side, which barely holds everything that needed to be hung,  and Nate's is the short side. Which still has a little bit of room left. This is the way we live.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour! Thank you to all who helped us complete our home! 

Welcome to Our Home....

I am FINALLY posting pictures of our darling apartment! I know some have been dying to see it, so here's a little tour of our new place. We love it!!! We feel so at home here, and we love everyone who has helped us decorate by giving us gifts and money! Thank you so so much!! Without further ado... OUR APARTMENT! Enjoy :)

Home sweet home!!

The view if you'll look to your right as you walk in the front door :)

The most comfortable couch in the WORLD and our lovely Paris artwork :)

Our lovely living room!! This is my favorite area. Mainly because I decorated it with only the cutest stuff! 

Our awesome entertainment center!!

Front entryway and coat closet

I apologize for the darkness of this picture, but our balcony is on the left as you walk in our front door...

and is quite nice...

we are on the second floor...

and we have a balcony that is quite large with nothing to put on it. Maybe later we will get around to getting an outdoor furniture set or something.. But even when it's naked we love it just the same! :)

This is my other favorite part of the apartment.. Mainly because I love basically EVERYTHING in the room. I am obsessed with my plant, which I picked out at Harmon's (I was so excited, it matched everything PERFECTLY and I was looking for a plant for our place :) ). I am also obsessed with my dishes... you'll see a closer view of those in the next picture. I am obsessed with my very nice and expensive silverware, and I am obsessed with the ADORABLE table which is so simple and just..itself. I love my cushions... Walmart: 6 bucks. AND I am obsessed with my beautiful little piece of artwork hanging in the background.. Thanks to all who helped with my obsession of all these things :)

This is the view from the living room into my adorable kitchen!! I am in love with this craftsmanship here. (Also, please notice my cute clock. I went through many frustrations trying to find the perfect clock.)

Best kitchen ever. We love it. 

Our pantry mostly full of food that we didn't even buy... Thanks to the "recipes and ingredients" bridal shower!! It's been nice to have it full. It's also a bit of a hassle trying to find things in there. At least I know I have everything I need :)

Love the glass cylinder jars (thanks to Aunt Kristi!) and the spice rack. Also, that's a pretty awesome toaster... thanks to the family that I nanny... You guys picked a great one :)

One last shot of my kitchen! The cupboards are all stock full. Literally there is no room left in this place. We had to use our coat closet and some storage space in the laundry area for some of our appliances! Worth it to have every appliance we could ever need, though.

Mrs. Griffith

I love being a Griffith. Being married is the greatest joy I have experienced in my life. I love being a wife, and taking care of my sweet husband! I love the family I married into! I got three beautiful new sisters-in-law, and it has been so much fun!

Kenadee is so sweet.

Kayla is so cute and so welcoming. 

Laura is awesome and funny.

My new Mom and Dad are so great and funny! They have welcomed me into their family and they really make me feel like I am one of their own. I am so lucky to have such great parents-in-law. 

I love my new family!

Being married has truly been the greatest blessing. After being sealed to Nate, I feel like a lot of things have been put into perspective for me now. I am fulfilling my calling to be a wife, and in a few years I'll be able to be a mother! And I know that I couldn't have picked a better man to share my life with. We work so well together and are so compatible. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I know our marriage will be blessed and we will be so happy together. Can't wait to spend eternity with my babe!!

A week in paradise....

We went on our honeymoon to Riviera Maya, Mexico!! We stayed at an all-inclusive resort right on the beach and it was awesome! We got a tad bit sick of the food because let's just say Mexicans don't always understand the art of American cuisine.. But it was good to be culturally immersed ;) A few highlights from our trip...

A King-Size bed..

Private beach access from our concierge hotel room..

Dessert after every meal..

Laying out in HOT Mexican sun..

Surrounded by palm trees..

Unlimited strawberry-banana Daquiri's (non-alcoholic, of course)..

Hot-tubbing in the comfort and privacy of our own hotel room..

Snorkeling..

Driving ATV's on the beach..

Eating delicious fruit..

Sleeping in..

Ordering room service for almost every meal..

Getting a professional massage..

Staying up late just laughing..

Waking up next to each other..

Being together every second..

...

Can we go back now?? :)

As you can tell, the honeymoon was perfect. Traveling by ourselves went a lot smoother than I had expected, also. I was stressing a little because 1) I stress over everything and 2) I haven't been out of the country by myself before, and Nate had never been out of the country! I was a little nervous something would go terribly wrong.. But everything went perfectly. Needless to say..

Honeymoon was wonderful.

Nate is a babe.

I have the best husband ever.

We are in love... Completely.

Married :)

Well the deed is done!! In case you're all wondering why on EARTH I'm blogging on  my first real day of married life, it's because we're bored waiting in the airport for our flight to CANCUN!!! Wahoooo!! The wedding day was absolutely PERFECT. Everything went swell. The actual wedding was great, lots of family to enjoy the morning with :) The luncheon was PHENOMENAL- Thanks to Aunt Kristi for planning everything and thanks to her beautiful daughters for being our servers! The food was excellent, the speeches by the fathers were sob-fests (and wonderful), and we all got to talk and have some good laughs! The weather for the reception turned out PERFECT!!!! We were soooooo worried that it would rain... in fact, it was supposed to be this huge storm over the weekend like all over the west coast... but I suppose God loves us and supports our marriage so he decided to make me happy again :) He never disappoints. So, due to the wonderful weather, we got to follow the original plan and do the reception outside. It was soooo beautiful. Props to my mother for planning everything and making all the big decisions for me :) The 10 bridesmaids all fit in their dresses, the 6 groomsmen all remembered their ties, and baby Will.I.Am looked devilishly handsome in his baby tuxedo! The flowergirls were darling and handed out all the little treats, the food was delicious, the setting was gorgeous, the cake was perfect. Everything just went so well. I feel so grateful for such a perfect wedding day!! Not to mention getting married to the most WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, HANDSOME babe in the whole world!!! That was truly the best part. Easily, so easily, the best best best day of our lives! We felt complete joy as we went through the festivities of the day, knowing that we were supposed to be together forever. Nate is the greatest husband ever! And so far married life is wonderful :) I have never felt so much joy. Thanks to all who came to the reception, thanks to my fab family for helping so much with the wedding. Thanks to my amazing daddy who I love more than life. Thanks to my awesome mom who never ceases to amaze me. Thanks to MyKey for being my BEAUTIFUL maid of honor-- Love her. Thanks to all my beautiful bridesmaids who looked flawless in their dresses, and thanks to Nate for marrying me!!! Love you all, see you when we get back from CANCUN!!!!

.nate.

Nate is my life.
He brings me true happiness.
I love his smile, his laugh, and most of all his ability to make me laugh.
I love his spirituality and his positive attitude.
His kindness towards me and others is astounding.
He's patient with me when I'm being a drag.
His love for me shows in every action.
He has never yelled, or even acted like he was upset with me because of a mistake I made.
He has never ceased to forgive and forget.
He loves me for exactly what I am, and has never once asked me to change.
He is beautiful, inside and out.
He has so much passion for things that he loves.
He likes to prove his point.
He is very manly and brooding ;)
He can pick me up with ease.
He never fails to genuinely tell me I'm beautiful multiple times a day.
He always makes sure to explain how lucky he feels to have found me.
He will be such a good daddy.
He loves his friends, his family, me and my family, and never fails to be loyal to us.
There is nothing he would not do for me, and he would always be happy to do it.
I am his princess, and he never fails to tell me that.
He is so romantic.
He took me to the temple yesterday and I can't describe the joy I felt to be able to go through with him.
He is a worthy priesthood holder of the only true church.
He loves to do things his way.
He does not like to ask for help.. why would he? He can do anything.
He can change the oil in any car.
He can build things.
He always can have fun, rain or shine.
He is so positive and always calms me down when I am stressed.
When I am sick or in pain, he is always right by my side making me feel better.
He kisses my boo boos better.
He kisses my forehead.
He would sacrifice his life for me.
He wants to take care of me.
He wants to be financial successful for our future family.
He loves what I love.
He keeps me safe.
He keeps me happy.
... And I get to marry him in 5 days. I couldn't have gotten luckier. :)

The Proposal

So, a lot of you know this story.. but in case you don't, I'll write in on here so in case someone EVER asks again, I will just redirect them to my blog. That way I don't ever have to tell the long story again ;)
On Wednesday March 23th, 2011, Nathan Griffith informed me that he was going camping with his friends that weekend. I, being the very needy girlfriend, was a little upset at this news... I hated being without him! Especially a whole weekend. PLUS, it had JUST snowed.. so it made absolutely no sense that he would want to go camping. He said that he and his friends would stay in his friend's cabin up in Ogden Canyon, which I didn't even know existed. Anyway, so I threw my little hissy fit but finally agreed to just let him go. He promised he would make it up to me. So that Friday evening I spend bored at home, waiting for Nate to come home to next evening. My mom told me that night that we should go dress shopping the next morning at 10 AM. (Yes, I knew he would be proposing soon; no, I had no idea it would be now). At about 4 in the morning, I received a text from Nate saying that the heater was broken at the cabin and they were coming home. I read it the next morning, and texted him back - no answer. I got all ready to go dress shopping, and at 9:50 AM Nate shows up at my door telling me he wants to take me to breakfast. I'm like "ummm, ok.. well my mom and I are going dress shopping so.. I'm not sure if I can?" He stays calm and just says to go ask her, he was sure she would understand (my mother was of course in on the whole thing). I go into my mom's room and tell her the plan, and she looks all disappointed, making me feel terrible. She finally insisted that I go, so I left feeling so bad I had ditched our plans!
We went to breakfast at IHOP, and shared some chocolate chip pancakes. The whole time he was acting a little weird.. so naturally I asked him if he was ok. He said he was just really tired, (he HAD been up all night after all... not). So then he suggested we go back to my house, watch a movie and fall asleep. I agreed, and we left and went to my house. When we got home, my whole family, including a few friends, were in the kitchen eating bagels. We started talking to them but Nate kept nudging me to go downstairs.. I was wondering why he wouldn't just be social for a minute! I went downstairs with him and sat on the couch, he went over to put in a movie and asked what I wanted to watch. I replied that I didn't care, so he pulled something from the top of the shelf and put it in. I didn't really think anything of it, I was a little tired too. He came and sat by me, and up popped a menu screen of a picture of us, titled Nate and Haley. He pushed play, and all these pictures of us and cute quotes came up and our songs Bless the Broken Road and All My Life played. I, stupidly, still didn't suspect that he was proposing. I just thought he was "making it up to me", as he had previously promised. I kept saying, "Babe, what is this?" He just smiled and watched the movie. The last slide was a photo of him on one knee.. holding a stapler (which was supposed to represent the ring.. haha). I, shocked, looked over at him and there he was, on one knee holding the ring of my dreams. I immediately started bawling and I think he shed a little tear or two ;) He asked me if I would marry him and I responded with a yes, of course. We hugged for a minute and then came out of the tv room to a happy family with cheers and cameras. One of the best moments of my life :)

Bridals sneak peak..

For those of you that read my blog, I'm going to give you incentive to keep doing so by giving you more than I give my facebook friends... :) More bridal pictures!!

.love.

I know this is supposed to be a blog for after-married life, but I just can't wait! We get married in 18 DAYS!!!! We are so excited! All of this planning is getting so old. We just want to get married and leave.. no reception needed ;) We are so happy, though. Happy to be together everyday and happy to be in love. I know this is a short post, but I just wanted to start the blog! We love life, and are so excited to share it together in 18 days!!

Dating Days.

I decided I would give those of you who don't know a little background of Nate and I - how we met, fun things we've done together, when we fell in love, etc. Here goes...

It all started in Provo, when I was hanging out with some friends at the apartment complex where Nate also lived. We were out in the parking lot sitting around a little firepit when this tall guy with short shorts walks out and my friend Courtney tells him to come have some cobbler with us. Courtney and my other friends Chantelle and Sarah had been friends with him for a while and told me all about how funny he was. They called him Grizzle, and I would always hear stories about how funny this kid was. So I'm wrapped up in my blanket sitting by the fire just watching this guy. He starts to tell this story about a girl whom he nicknamed "The Lagoon Creature" that he had met at a UVU dance a few nights before. Yep, I immediately knew why my friends thought he was so funny... but I didn't really think much of it or him at that point. A few weeks go by, and this same boy adds me on facebook. I thought, awesome! We start talking on the chat a little bit, mostly just jokes. He would tell me some random story and I would laugh. Awesome relationship ;) I can't remember when we exchanged phone numbers but we did, and we texted sometimes. Again, random stuff. I started thinking he was a cool kid, I wanted to get to know him more. A few weeks of texting later, a few friends invited me to go to the movie Avatar. I showed up, and Nate was there! I wanted to go sit next to him, but he was sitting next to one of my friends.. alone. I thought they liked each other, and I was a little sad. But I still was my flirty self all night, and I found out later that they were only friends :) A few weeks more pass, and we hadn't really been talking as much. I kind of moved on, thinking he must not like me very much. I went over to Courtney's one night, in my work uniform, looking beautiful (NOT). We were all really hyper and all the sudden Nate walks in with his friend Jeff. For some reason, I didn't know why, I saw him and immediately thought... I bet I marry that boy someday... True story. 

Summer came, and we were talking again quite a bit. We were both moving back home (Sandy and West Jordan), and he said he wanted to hang out! I was so happy, he was finally wanting to hang out with just me! We arrange to hang out, but he brought his friend. At first, a little awkward. I thought it would just be me and him! I tried to entertain them as best as I could.. but I didn't feel like they were having much fun. I tried to be my flirty self, and it must have worked on Nate, because they came over again the next night! And the next night, and the next night... I was pretty sure at this point that Nate liked me. I finally decided that we had better set up a double date so that Nate and I could at least pair off at some point! I set Nate's friend Wes up with my friend Whitney. Nate's friend Jeff also came... still don't know why, haha. They came over, and we just played and went to the park later that night. I finally got Nate alone at the park, when I pulled him away from the group. We were "hiding" for like an hour, all the others were trying to find us because they didn't even know Whitney, it was pretty funny watching from the sidelines... and fun to cuddle while we watched! I wanted him to kiss me so bad! But.. of course he didn't. (Later he told me he wanted to but was too scared.. :)) The next night Nate FINALLY came alone. We went to the park and I massaged his back while he told me scary stories. We went and sat on the bench and he held me close and told me all about his mission. At this point, I was really falling in like with him! I just hoped he felt the same and wasn't another one of those guys who just want the action..

I waited and waited for him to ask me on a real date.. and he FINALLY did! I was ecstatic! We went to Iron Man 2 and Olive Garden (This has been one of our favorite restaurants ever since :) ). He finally kissed me at the end of the date, and we've been ALMOST inseparable ever since.. I'd better tell that story since I know you're all DYING to hear it ;) So after a few dates, I was wondering when we'd finally be exclusive. After a little while, one night he told me that maybe we should just be friends... you can imagine how I felt. I was so mad! I thought that I had been dating a jerk this whole time and that he was just like every other stupid guy. I was livid. We went like a week without talking and he finally called me and told me he wanted to hang out. Even though I held a little anger towards him still, I really wanted to see him! :/ We hung out one night and we just were flirting the whole time; it was obvious we both still wanted to date. We hung out every night after that and on Sunday, June 13th 2010, he bashfully and adorably asked me to be his girlfriend :) He later told me that the reason he said he just wanted to be friends before was because he was afraid of having a commitment (He had never had a real girlfriend before).. But then he realized how perfect I was and that he just couldn't live without me ;) 

Since then we've had our ups and downs, but we were inseparable. I knew I loved him early on, and I knew I needed to marry him after several months. He proposed on March 26th, 2011 and we couldn't be happier with our lives together! I know all of you REALLY wanted to hear all of that in detail, but hey. This is a blog about us, and I'm going to talk about us. Proposal story to come...