And now it's my turn...

To tell you the story about this kid that I love a lot. A lot doesn't even do it justice. To tell the story about the kid who has my heart forever.

I met Tyler (he doesn't remember this, gotta love him) one wintery night in the icy apartment 22 of Jamestown. It was a Forrest Gump night, because we just so happened to be watching that movie. And I just so happened to be squished on the couch between another boy I had a mini crush on, my roommate, and this other boy who didn't ever get the picture. (needless to say we are still friends, whew for maturity.) Tyler, who I knew was one of my good friend's mission buddies, sauntered in (he saunters) with a lumber jack coat with black and red checks, basketball shorts (his daily uniform), high socks (he's from California), tattered Vans (hence, California), a Lakers (California) shirt that had been worn too many times, and a mop of curly hair (it was very long at the time, maybe past his ears, the curls go wild past the ears.) He came in sat on the floor, seemed to ignore everyone around him, grabbed his friend's phone, and proceeded to make a comment about the Lakers every five minutes, watch the Lakers game he was commenting on, and say a distracted "hello" once introduced to everyone. We weren't even 20  minutes into the movie, when he decided to up and leave without a goodbye. Was I impressed? No. Was I later? Yes. So here we go...

Spring is a special time of year. At BYU it is anyway. After a long hard Winter, the grass turns green, mornings are the perfect balance of cool and warm, frisbees fill the air, and ice cream dates are more acceptable. Campus clears up, spring term begins, and you suddenly become a free spirit, playing more than studying, eating out a little bit more, staying up a little too late. Everyone and everything comes back to life.

That's when Tyler really walked into my life. The spring.

After moving into the ward and moving into our friend group. Seeing Tyler became a regular occurrence.  We went to movies together, we went to the park together, we listened to music together, we went to church together, we talked together, this happened every day. Every day except one because of a roommate falling out. Those things happen, you know. And that day I was sad...I was upset. My heart was in a weird place.

My missionary had just written ME off. My heart was closed off to all suitors. I was a bitter person, with a bitter heart, and I am still recovering and working on those things. Tyler was the only guy that I thought actually wanted to be friends first. Mind you, I did put him in a the friend zone, and we did make a contract about how we weren't going to date and how we would never work, but those things have a way of turning in on themselves. Hearts have a way of changing. Soon you realize that you want to spend every minute with that person. Soon you see that you liked them from the very beginning. Soon you think you love them, without them even knowing. Soon you have that moment, that moment when you see them one day and your breath catches and you say..."Ah...there you are. I've been looking for you my whole life."

You've found them. Tyler found me first. But I like to say that I found him along the way too. After a brother's birthday party, my parents immediate approval, a run to the temple, a trip to Washington state, a four wheeler mishap, a date to a lake in the mountains with a wildflower meadow, and a burger at Red Robin, I was set on him. Set on him for good. I knew, because when you know, you know. That overwhelming feeling comes and your heart melts to a puddle of love juice. It happens.

So maybe our story isn't the most interesting, or amazing, or love story worthy to you and the world. But it is to me. Tyler fought his way out of the friend zone and I'm sure glad he did. I'm glad that he found me. And I'm sure glad we are sticking together. So maybe you will hear more stories about us. With details and funny happenings, but for today, know that I am in love with this kiddo. This kiddo who doesn't tie his shoes, who wears thrift store shirts, who eats goldfish and candy all the time, who has a gap in his two front teeth, who can't sing at all, who has a heart of pure gold, who walks around bare foot all the time, who loves me at my worst times, who puts up with my detail oriented mind, who is kind to everyone, who also puts the best things first, who loves swimming, disneyland, and vampire weekend, who is from Yorba Linda and makes sure everyone knows it, who is loyal as loyal can be, who loves God, who loves his family, who loves me, who's still perfect after all these years.

I do and I always will. So here's my love letter you Tyler. Here's the first of many. Stay gold, always Ty. Stay gold.