This weekend, we hiked up to Stewart Falls with Scott and Logan. The first picture above was on July 16, 2008. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't help but reflect on our past memories of being at Stewart Falls. I love waterfalls!! On July 16, 2008 (a year before we were married), Brad took me to Stewart Falls. We packed a lunch with Subway sandwiches and it was just the two of us on this hike. We reached the falls after a two mile hike and were anxious to eat!! haha After eating, he took me closer to the waterfall and said "Allison, I love you!" For those of you who know Brad he NEVER calls me Allison EXCEPT for the MOST serious moments. He called me Allison on that day and then when he proposed to me. The more common names he uses for me are Babe and Baby. haha I then responded back to him that I loved him too. The picture below is of Scott, Logan, and Brad being themselves!
A funny story is that we had been "officially" dating since April 6, 2008 when he had lost in our competition of having our first kiss which he couldn't resist and couldn't wait ten more days for my birthday! I WON!! Ok anyways the funny part is that I knew I loved him before he told me and I had planned to do an Easter egg scavenger hunt to tell him that I loved him because I was growing impatient to wait for him to tell me. I chickened out and thought I might freak him out or something because of his past relationship stories! I would be on the verge of just screaming it to him but then he always shared some story about a girl coming on to him too fast!! haha My stress was broken when we went on that hike and he FINALLY told me!! Later I found out that he wanted to marry me a year before we actually did but he didn't want to scare me away either. Our marriage came at the PERFECT time and the most appropriate time. The picture below is of THIS year at Stewart Falls (May 31, 2010)
It was fun to be able to reflect back on a significant date of ours and enjoy the hike again with friends. I will admit that this hike seemed both easier in some ways but harder in other ways. It was easier in the fact that I think I am finally caught up with this altitude thing but harder because of uneven ground with my knee that I had surgery on about a year and a half ago. I guess the uneven ground makes me work muscles I am not used to and had lost from the surgery so it was sore but better today.
It's hard to believe that Brad and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary NEXT MONTH!! It has flown by and been a lot of fun! We are so grateful for all the support we continue to get from our friends and families! We are EXTREMELY grateful for our temple marriage and for Heavenly Father watching over us and blessing our lives. Sometimes we have had some difficult experiences but with every challenge there is an opportunity to learn and grow from it. I am glad we don't have to be alone facing it and that we have a loving Savior who knows exactly what we are going through.
PS... Brad, I still love you. <3 (Picture below: Brad wanted me to curl my hair and he LOVES kissing pictures! haha I must admit that I like my hair curly too.)
