RAFTERY'S: September 2010

Wise men say, "only FOOLS rush in", but I can't help falling in love with you!

I have always loved this song; The Elvis version, the UB40 version, the awesome re-make from one of my fave movies ever (Some Kind of Wonderful), all of them have always tugged at my heart strings. I really feel like it should be my theme song. I must have known it would one day mean something to me.

After high school I moved from the sprawling metropolis called Parowan. I know what you are thinking...."Why would you do a crazy thing like that?" Well, the scholarship to UVSC was the main reason, along with feeling like I should spread my baby wings and fly. One problem: I was totally "hooked" on my HS BF who happened to still be a HS BF. I did move to Provo, crying and boobing and wishing I were a little more excited to do so. After a whole entire week, I met a RM whom I was REALLY attracted to, although I couldn't tell my Mom what his face looked like! We hit it off quick and spent a lot of time together. I went home most weekends to spend time w/ the BF (stupid,stupid,stupid!!) juggled both guys really well. (I was MOST talented at this, Thnx MOM :) ) and pretty much played myself into the ground scholastically. The Provo BF and I were very serious. I was ready for marriage, he wasn't, then he was ready, then I wasn't. This went back and forth several times for reasons I didn't understand at the time, but now I fully "get it". I managed a few other boyfriends in between these two, always keeping at least two on reserve in case of emergency. SIDE NOTE TO SELF: Remember to write letters of apology for the horrible way in which you once treated so many undeserving men. The guilt will never leave until you do! Okay- so I moved back home to take the summer off. I was having a good time living at home again and had pretty much let the little BF go and was still dating the other. I went to a dance club in Cedar called the MINE SHAFT several times a month with the Sis' and a friend of mine. While there once, a guy who knew my friend saw me and told her the next day that he wanted to go out with "his wife" (referring to me) mind you, we have not met yet. She called me and asked if I would go out with him, me being a faithful GF (go ahead and laugh, I do) said I couldn't I had a boyfriend. Well she kept asking and asking and I decided to go out with this stranger, because what harm was there in that? The BF lived in Hawaii at the time, so HELLO! The guy who was calling me his "wife" was a little "rough" at this stage in his life. When I met him (w/ my GF in tow, yes, she went on our first date) he was at the tattoo shop. He had his nose pierced, his ears, and a few bad habits! BUT....I fell. I fell hard and fast and never looked back. We saw each other everyday after that first date. Right in the middle of this, the BF came back to the mainland and was really excited to come visit me and move on w/ the plans he had for marriage. He actually went to the dance club w/ me one night and things went VERY bad for all involved. I sent him on his way after a brief visit to my parents house and continued to fall for the "bad boy". After 17 days from our intro- the tattoo, pierced guy proposed to me out of the blue. Of course we hadn't talked marriage, we had just met! I of course said YES. My parents were excited and happy for me, which looking at it from a Mom stand point I am thinking.... WHAT??!!??!! They must have known what an amazing guy he really was behind the rebel facade. I proudly showed off my ring and gushed over the thoughts of being married soon. SCREEEEEECH.......wait, I still have a boyfriend! How awkward this conversation will be: " Hi, how are you? Oh you miss me? Can't wait to see me? Can I bring my fiance? Maybe we need to see other people. I was dreading this so immensely! The fiance kept trying to get me to call and "break-up", I kept putting it off. I guess the keep-one-in-the-pocket-for-emergencies dating plan was about to bite me in the butt! Well after 2 whole weeks of torture I called him (fiance on the other phone so he could witness it actually happening) I totally and completely crushed the poor guy. I ended up inviting him to our wedding- of which he attended and was not welcomed by the in-laws-(another story in itself!!) To make a long story longer, we have now been married 14 amazing and fantastic years!!

Geoff is no longer the rebel w/ the nose ring and earrings. The tattoo's will be there forever, but who really cares! His bad habits are gone, and he is even more alluring and sexy to me now than he was at the young age of 21 when I met him. He is the best Dad in the entire world. He is my best friend and my confidant. He makes me laugh, he makes me cry (happy tears-or tears of joy as my son says) He is smart and logical, determined and strong. I am more in love today than I have ever been. I can't believe I can love him any more than I do now, bit I said that 14 years ago and look how much that has multiplied. I am so lucky that "God blessed the broken road" that lead me straight to him. Can't wait to spend another 50 with him. He is THE best!!