his story...her story

"then we sat on the edge of the earth, with our feet dangling over the side, and marveled that we had found each other." ~Erik Billard
Valentines Day marks the third anniversary for our engagement. many of you have inquired as to how we "fell". so, here is "the rest of the story".
his story...devin was married to his sweet wife for three years when they found out she was terminally ill. at the same time, they had also been struggling to have children, but had just found out that their adoption was being approved and finalized. what a whirlwind of emotions. aileena lee became their beautiful polynesian baby at age 6 months. kari, devin's wife, was an amazing mother, despite her many physical ailments. her mission on this earth was fulfilled through devin and aileena. little did she know, that she was preparing devin and aileena to fulfill their missions. kari left her earthly family to go take care of her eternal family(Aug. 2004)...

her story...holly was living life, pretending that she was happy. while devin and kari were experiencing the greatest sorrow and the greatest joy all at the same time, holly decided to make some life changes and move to utah (2000). holly continued to pretend she was happy. she began to make changes in her life that eventually led her to a very sad time in her life. she found herself still pretending and tired of it. with a broken heart and her hope diminished, she gave in! she no longer believed it was going to happen for her. her life dream of being a wife and a mother was gone. she was literally at the lowest possible time in her life (Aug. 2004).

his story...devin lost his sweet wife on Aug. 30, 2004, one day after aileena turned 5. devin was literally at the lowest possible time in his life. he reached out to his family and friends for strength. through a lot of emotional sorting, devin decided he had 2 choices. he could stop living and simply exist in sorrow, or he could pick up the pieces and make a life for him and aileena. he decided that he wanted to live and love. devin was supported in this decision by many attempts by family and friends to set him up.

her story...holly decided to buy a house with her parents. she figured if she wasn't getting married she should probably at least buy a house. they moved in during Oct. 2004. immediately there were many mothers in the ward wanting to set up their sons with her. one in particular, was very verbal about her intent. she shared with her neighbor (holly's future mother-in-law) how cute holly was and that holly was "the one" for her son. her neighbor thought, "if she can set her son up with her, so can i". so she began asking questions about holly. she found out everything she could, without actually asking holly. one day holly was walking her mom out to the car. the neighborhood was really friendly, so, holly waved to a passing van. the van slowed down and stopped in front of holly's house. holly went and talked to the lady (her future mother-in-law). the lady proceeded to "interview" holly and then asked her if she would go out on a date with a really nice "boy" she knew. holly reluctantly said yes, but sarcastically reported to her mother the intents of the lady.

his story...devin's mom called him and told him about holly. she told him to call her, but devin had had too many bad blind dates. so, he was very apprehensive. his mom kept bugging him, and one day told him to call holly soon.

her story...devin's mom called holly and asked if she could give the "boy" her phone number. holly said yes, but again, cynically reporting to her mom about this lady's persistence. within 15 min. of her phone call the "boy" called. he was much like the lady in the way he "interviewed". but unlike the lady, he revealed that the lady was his mom. arrangements were made for a first date, and holly could no longer be cynical. devin planned the date and came to pick holly up for their first date on Jan. 15, 2005. he had a long stemmed red rose, and took holly to a play and dinner. on the way home he said he accidentally missed the exit and we were about an hour more away from home. this time gave them plenty to talk about. devin told about his wife and daughter, and holly listened.

his story...devin went to his mom's house before he picked holly up. it should be mentioned that his moms house was across the street and four houses down from holly's. he wasn't sure what to expect, but went and knocked on holly's door, all while his family was watching from the front porch. devin purposely picked a theatre that was in Salt Lake so they would have time to talk. and the exit "accidentally" getting missed, was no accident. holly told him as they talked, that she thought that her and kari would have been good friends. devin knew that kari was taking care of her eternal family.

a long story made a little bit shorter...the couple went out a few more times when holly decided she wasn't going to let this one hurt her. so, she decided to send him "packing". devin walked her to the door and holly thought the surest way to send him packing was to rush in to things. holly told devin that she didn't want it to be a week before they saw each other again. devin said "ok, how about tomorrow night?" they saw each other almost every night, until devin proposed on Valentines Day and they were married April 15, 2005. so much for sending him packing!

We are so in love that it literally hurts for us to be apart. I know that this is possibly the mushiest story, but putting all mushy things aside. I want to testify that Heavenly Father loves us and he does know each of us to the very depths of our souls. He is in charge, and when we are willing to let go and let God, he will work miracles in our lives. The very lowest of times is likely the runway for the very blessed of times. I know God lives and I know he loves us.