This week marks three years since Gavin and I met. I remember it pretty well. I went up to Logan to visit Ranelle for the weekend. She was going out with a guy named Stan and didn't want to ditch me, so she set me up with Stan's roommate, Gavin. It was actually a Sunday, and we went to church first, and the dinner afterward was the so-called 'date'. Therefore, the first time I saw Gavin was in a suit, and I was impressed. I was immediately attracted to him. He looked sophistocated. He seemed very intelligent, but also shy-- he said very little, at least to me. What I didn't know was that he was a little impressed with me too, and that shut him up pretty good. Ranelle had made the mistake of telling me that she was setting me up with a nice guy who was "short, like you", so I thought he was going to be another one of those dorky guys with short-man syndrome. I was wrong about that. We had dinner and played Wii bowling. I had never seen a Wii, so it was pretty cool. After dinner we sat around and talked for awhile. A week later we started getting to know each other on a more one-on-one level. A month later we were dating. Three years later, here we are, a happily married couple. Thinking back, it's funny to think about how when we first saw each other, we had no idea we were looking at our match.
Welcome!
Losing a baby is something no mother should have to endure. The pain you must be feeling right now is beyond what I can fathom. The physical suffering along with the chemical rollercoaster you're on are pitiable enough. But I know the real pain you feel is emotional. You were so excited to have another baby. It hasn't been an easy road for you, and finally you had what you were waiting for. But now it's gone, and you feel the epitome of emptiness.
Yet, you are selfless.
You spend tireless hours watching your son, and encouraging him and teaching him. You support your husband as he mourns in his own way. You listen to me and others blab about our own lives as though you want nothing more at the moment. There is only one explanation that I can give for your behavior: the atonement. The Savior has been your support and that is because you have let Him. You don't question Him or His plan for you, but humbly submit, trusting that He knows what is best. He has been your strength thus far, and He will never abandon you. The only true comfort at this time is in the great Plan of Happiness. You are blessed to know the truth. Lean on it, and it will carry you through. Your friends love you and stand by you.
Love, Dani
I love to draw, and when I do, I am usually pleased with the result. It is good to develop your talents, and it is neither boastful nor inappropriate to share them with others. I believe that God intends for us to share. He gives us very little that He intends for us to keep to ourselves. However, I do have one drawback: I can only produce works of art when I am inspired. Otherwise my work is no good. Lately, I have a new inspiration:
Poppies.
It began with a beautiful bedspread Gavin's aunts gave us for a wedding present. It has beautiful, deep red poppies sprinkled across it, that brighten up the whole room. Poppies are a symbol of peaceful elegance. They aren't snobby as some flowers are. They grow spontaneously, for the whole world to see. They don't hide from anyone. Today I will draw poppies.
Today has been a bit of an adventure. It is my mom's birthday (Happy birthday, mom!), so we went to Olive Garden for lunch. Of course, we all stuffed ourselves silly. After dropping Gavin off at work, I took my mom out shopping for a pair of earrings to match her new outfit. When we came back to the car, we discovered a flat tire. As soon as we got to work on it, it started to rain. I was flat on my belly on the asphalt, trying to find the little chunk of metal you're supposed to align the jack wtih. Bingo. It's not a hydraulic jack, so I sat there on the ground for ages, cranking that thing around and around. Finally my dad showed up and he helped us get the old tire off and put the spare on. It just so happens that it's Saturday though, and as soon as I got the spare on, the clock hit 5:00, and everything closed for the weekend! I just hope the spare will hold up for a couple days; it's not a donut, so it should. I should not be an automechanic. I'll leave that to AJ...
Today I write my first (and I'm sure, very primitive) blog. Hopefully as I get the hang of things, this will become more interesting to look at, and you will feel more welcome to visit. For now, I'll just experiment and see what I can do.
About us: Gavin and I (Dani) met in Logan, Utah in the Summer of 2007. We were married in the Draper Utah LDS Temple in January of 2010, and live a happy life together in Utah Valley.