For Those of You Who Don't Know...

Please put the phrase "For those of you who don't know" before each line or new paragraph of this post. I'm putting the "..." at the appropriate places, so you don't forget. Thank you and enjoy.

...my husband is deaf. That's how we were drawn together. I was a Speech Pathology and Audiology major and at the time we met, I was in a hearing tests and measures class. That class covered, among other things, much of my hearing aid knowledge....which isn't THAT much but, I do find hearing and especially hearing aids fascinating.

...aside from his dashing good looks, his hearing is one of the first things that fascinated me about Nathan. Besides his hearing aid he uses no other aid for communication. He reads lips and uses environmental and speech cues to understand and speaks very clearly. Since then he hasn't stopped fascinating me. And when I met him he had served a mission and was a college grad. I was impressed!

...the first time I saw him, I was on assignment from the Institute Council to visit two classes. My assignment was to pass on information to both classes and to attend one of them. I got to choose which one. I was actually planning on attending the "other" class (not Nathan's) but, I had found it so early (I thought it was going to be hard to find) and the class officers were actually there THAT early, so I passed on the information and ventured out to find the other class, two towns away. I was so happy that I'd be able to get this assignment done in one evening!

...I was a little late for the next class (Nathan remembers!) It was kind of embarrassing because they had me introduce myself, even though I was late.

...that's it. That was the first time we saw each other. We didn't talk to each other but we were both intrigued by each other.

...I find that interesting and a little romantic.

...we both wanted to talk to each other.

...that's amazing for Nathan because he's not a big talker...he's kinda shy.

...we couldn't talk to each other because there was actually a Sister there that served in the same mission as me but, when I wasn't there. She had just gotten home about a week previous and I had been home for a little over 18 months. Well, she was all talky talky about the mission and I was watching Nathan walk slowly but surely out the door.

...about a month and a half later Nathan showed up in my ward. Before that he was in a ward in the town next to mine.

...sadly, the day he came to my ward, I wasn't there!

...thankfully, he knew a different girl in my ward. He knew her from Utah State.

...he wasn't going to stay for Sunday School (which is NOT like him) but, weirdly this girl asked him if he was going to stay (which is NOT like her) and so he said, yes. He stayed and she didn't. HA!!!

...I'm glad he stayed.

...I'm glad she didn't.

...I guess he liked the ward. He was looking for a ward he would mesh better with. He had given that other ward a good fighting chance. But, after 6 months and still no calling or assignments or genuine friends he decided to go ward hopping.

...the first ward he hopped to was mine.

...he went to the FHE the next day. And, thank goodness I was there!!! We watched the Polar Express, projected onto a wall in one of the classrooms in the church. The guys moved all the couches in the building into that room.

...I recognized him.

...he recognized me.

...that's when it really started. I thought he was SO handsome. But, for some reason I had gotten in my head that at 26, I might never get married (silly), so I had decided that I was just going to be friends with EVERYONE!

...Nathan became my best friend.

...we went to EVERY church activity. Not together. But, we were two of the faithful and steady ones. That is another thing that first fascinated me about Nathan. He was so quiet and seemingly shy and yet so involved and "active". At the activities, I took many opportunities to ask him about his hearing and his hearing aid. He didn't seem to care so I kept the questions rolling.

...our friendship and beyond really blossomed in institute. He began to attend my institute class and we had THE BEST teacher! Sister Pulley! I'm so glad we had that class together because I already loved her and I'm glad he has the opportunity to know and love her too! She had all the students staying after institute to tie quilts and make other items for humanitarian aid. Nathan and I tied quilts together and colored picture books and made bracelets. And these items were sent all over the world. Something I loved was Sister Pulley said that whenever we finished a quilt we had to hug it, so a hug would be sent with it.

...I saw Nathan hug a quilt once.

...after spending so much time together each week at church, ward activities and institute Nathan finally asked me out for some alone time.

...I remember the exact words he said when he called and asked me out. "I was wondering if you would be interested in going out with me to dinner and a movie?" Seemed so formal and yet romantic.

...it's an even longer story from then until now so, I'll quit with the "For those of you who don't know..."

...there's one more.

For those of you who don't know...it's my wonderful and loving husband's birthday today! I'm so glad he found me!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!! You're finally the same age as me again...the world is right once again.

...Nathan is a Renaissance Man. Stay tuned! It's gonna be good post and it's gonna be A LOT of pictures!