Picture Perfect

So Kevin and I had our engagement photos done on May 13th and our photographer/videographer got them done super fast (Stephanie Carstens everyone!) and we are now working on our announcements! If I have my way they'll be out by the end of the month. I'm really excited! The pictures turned out really nice. Here's a few! Including one of my ring, as promised.

Yours For Eternity

I have a post to give that is long overdue. For those of you who have been asking and hoping...

Kevin officially proposed on Saturday, April 24th.

We had some things planned for the day, but as the time approached for us to get together for lunch and head out he texted me saying he had to finish something he was working on. I, assuming he was working on homework, did some work of my own. Finally, after about an hour of waiting he texted to say he was almost done. After a few more minutes he asked me the most random question (or so I thought): "Did anything come in the mail for you today?" I responded by telling him that our mail doesn't come until about four o'clock and he then proceeded to tell me I should check anyway. That's when I realized what was going on. I went to our mailbox and sitting there, waiting for me, was a letter. It was the first of four. The first sent me from my house to the Ricks building, where I found the second letter. From there I went to my Church building where we will be having our reception. The third letter led me to the park where I found the final letter (with some texted hints from a loving fiancee who was hiding in the trees). As I was reading the final letter Kevin came out from behind the trees and wrapped his arms around my waist as he waited for me to finish. When I did I rested my hands on his arms and he pulled me close and said "I'm tired of waiting. I want to hold onto you forever." At this point he let me go and I turned around to see him get down on one knee, hold out the ring and say "Catherine Dresen, will you marry me?" I started crying, as I knew I would. But through the tears I smiled and said "yes" and we embraced.

Kevin asked me later if it was everything I'd hoped it would be and I assured him it was much more. I love that I have the letters and can read them over and over and remember exactly what he said instead of relying on faulty memory to recall that beautiful time. Another thing I love about those letters is that there are specific words in each one that are bolded and if you read only the bolded words they form the lyrics to a song Kevin has wanted to use in his proposal for many years. It's called "I Will Hold On".

And hold on we will. In this imperfect life there must be opposition in all things. There will be sorrow to contrast the joy. There will be times when we will be angry and hurt, but we will talk through them and come out the stronger and wiser for the experience. Satan and the world may try to beat us down, but, like the phoenix, we will rise from the ashes. Strong, valiant and true to ourselves, to each other and to God we will face the world hand in hand and we will press on to eternity, where time, distance and even death cannot separate us.

True Love Waits

Kevin arrived in Rexburg just after noon on Saturday and I am the happiest woman alive. As I stood in the airport watching the door open and close, knowing he was on the other side, just out of view, my heart started pounding. And then he was there! I was about ready to explode with joy! We were apart one minute and the next we were colliding in a long-anticipated embrace. Kevin continues to amaze me and I have never been so relaxed in my entire life. He has a magic touch. In short, Kevin continues to amaze and astound me and I continue to fall more and more deeply in love with him. He is more than worth all of the time we've had to sacrifice.

Sentimental Value

Happy news! I paid off Kevin's ring yesterday! I'm so excited!

The picture I have isn't actually his ring, but it looks exactly like it. The really cool thing about it is that it looks exactly like the duck tape one he wears now, but metal! It's perfect. I love it. It feels good to have it in my possession and it feels great knowing that I got him exactly what he wanted.

Productivity And Devotion

So I figured it's high time I did another post for my blog. It's been quite a while. Let's see... what can I tell you...

Well, for starters: school is going very well. I am taking two English classes, a Sociology class and a Government class this semester and they're all going well. My Critical Reading and Writing teacher can be very picky/demanding and I have to admit that at first I was getting a little discouraged, but I decided to look at it as a learning experience and that's exactly what it has become. I still have a long way to go, but I am definitely a better writer now than I was when I started. I'm really enjoying it.

Also, for those of you who don't know (which is most of you), I teach one of two Sunbeam classes in my ward. It is so much fun. They're a handful a lot of the time, especially since I have all girls and they love to talk, but they're so cute. It's one of the most rewarding callings, I think. There have been so many times when I think "does anything get through?" and then one of their parents will come up to me and thank me for doing such a good job. What a relief! And it makes it all worth while. That, and they say and do the funniest things! They're so cute and actually much more observant than we give them credit for.

In other, very exciting news! Kevin comes back on April 17th! I'm so excited! He's been gone for 94 days including today and I can't wait to see him again! I have to admit, though, that as crazy as it drives me sometimes to be away from him for long stretches like this, there are some very good things that come out of it. Every time I gain a greater appreciation for him. Being apart from him like this shows me that I love him for much more than just the physical demonstrations of affection. And it teaches me to never take him for granted. Kevin is my best friend and I love him with all my heart. He helps me to relax when I'm tense, laugh when I'm upset, cry when I've trained myself to hold it in and love without fear. And in 24 days I never have to let him go again. THAT is a great feeling.

"The One"

Okay Everyone! I have really exciting news this time! Last Saturday I went to look at wedding dresses with my mom, sisters and grandma. The first place we looked didn't turn out so great. We found one dress that was okay, but it didn't feel like "the one". So we went to a second store that, number one: actually had my size. That's always a nice thing, not having to come out of the dressing room with half your back exposed. Sheesh. And! They had a much larger selection of dresses. On top of this! I found my dress! It is so beautiful, I love it! I went wedding dress shopping that day expecting to narrow down the options, but I did not expect to actually find the dress. But I did! I can't give details because my fiancee reads this blog and he doesn't get to see it until our wedding day and the only details he gets to know until then are that it is white and has a train.

I'm so excited, though! I actually had to come home and think about it first. I knew I really liked it, but it all happened a lot faster than I expected. But after coming home and talking to my parents, especially my mom, I knew it was the one. That, and my mom cried. It's the only dress she cried for so that was a pretty good sign, too ;). I found my dress! I'm so thrilled!

So there you go. I've found all three of the things people refer to as "the one." I found, first and foremost, "the one" man who is my perfect match, I found "the one" ring that we both felt drawn to, and I found "the one" dress that makes me feel unquestionably beautiful. I'd say that's a lot to be thankful for.

An Uneventful Start To An Eventful Year

Well, I started my new semester of classes this week. I really like my teachers and the classes themselves are pretty fun. I will have A TON of reading and writing to do this semester, but I think it'll be fun for the most part. I'm pretty excited, actually, so hopefully that excitement lasts at least most of the semseter if not all of it ;).

I think that's really all that's been going on for me. My life is pretty uneventful right now, sorry.

In other news that's not directly related to my life... Kevin got a job in Oregon! Yay! He actually was able to get the same temp job he had before he left on his mission! It's kind of hard because it's graveyard shifts, but the pay is nice! We'll have to see what we can find for him when he comes back for school.

And there you have it, folks. I'll write again when I have something at least semi-interesting to tell you ;). Have fun out there!