According to My Young Adult Journal

Part 2

Brian came home from his mission after his parents went to "pick him up" in Trinidad and Tobago for 10 days.  I am forever jealous of their vacation, and I would LOVE to go there someday, btw.  Here was one of his last emails to me before he came home: 

Jeff Young (not Brian!) and I at my friend Jamie Heslop's wedding reception.  Jamie's husband served in the Caribbean too!

I see you met 'Jeffrey' or better known to me as my former companion Elder Young. So how was he? It was good to see a pic of you again. He just sent me the picture with no letter or nothing so I have no idea where or whatsoever you met him. Did you go around announcing that you know me or something?  Life is good here. I'm trying to balance looking forward to going home and loving staying out. Stay good.

Miss you Elder Green.

In my defense, I had no idea who Jeff was, and I didn't say anything about Brian.  I assume Brian was always talking about me, wink wink. I was so nervously excited for him to come home, but also cautious. I didn't want to get my little heart hurt, and I didn't want anything to feel forced and to get weird.

It was only weird for a week.

The day after he came back to Pleasant View, his friend Blake texted me,  "Hey, Brian and I are coming over right now.  Which apt. do you live in?"  It was around 10:00 PM and I was getting ready for bed, because I worked at 5:30 in the morning.  I remember getting suddenly worried about how I was going to greet him.  High Five?  Side Hug W/ a Back Pat?  "Wassup, B-dawg"? There was no un-awkward option. I kept playing the scene out in my head and practicing my voice. Then I heard I knock on my door while I was perfecting my ponytail.

I remember he looked a lot more red and bald than I remembered--which was a mixture of UV rays and a close buzzed cut to prevent sweaty-head, but he still had that big white attractive smile.  We shared a quick awkward hug, like the ones you have with acquaintances or extended relatives when you don't know where to put your face.  He was so nice, and very giggly.  He laughed at everything I said, which only fed my ego and led me to believe I was totally hilarious.  I can't help but like people who think I'm funny,  but it can be dangerous when I run out of steam and start trying too hard.  Its probably embarrassing.

 He came by my apartment a couple times that week.  He purchased a cellphone, got my number, and that weekend we went on our first date.

For that first date, he showed up at my door (on time, thumbs up!) without the faintest idea or plan of what we were going to to (thumbs down).  After some unproductive brainstorming, "Ummmmmm...." I said that my Jamie and Jon Heslop were making scones at her parent's house in Pleasant View, we could go do that.  I think Brian said something like, "Okay, I love scones," and off we went to hang with a newly wed couple that was very much in love and whose relationship was very much out of our league.  It really wasn't too bad tho, Jamie and I had much to talk about as girls do, and Brian had much Trini talk to speak with Jon.
   Later we drove up to Brian parent's house to watch some Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King.   Very long, very epic, very Brian.  I have come to love them as much as he does.

We did not fall in love on our first date (at least I didn't. Oohhhh! Wife Jab!).  I was still feeling a little awkward, and he was still recovering from his two year term of dating celibacy*.  When he tried to kiss me for the first time that night, I said, "I don't think we should do this just yet, let's wait."

*LDS missionaries focus on preaching the gospel and serving others, and missionaries do not go on dates or have any physical/emotional courtship with others. 

At this point, most men would take this confidence blow as a sign that he's outta the game, but not Brian. I don't really remember what happened next that night, because I was being so virtuous and brave, but I'm pretty sure he just shrugged and said, "Okay!."

Also, not tomato soup night, but a night in my cheap Ogden Apt. 

The next Thursday night, I had a nasty cold and fever.  I decided to call out from work and curl up on my couch and rest. Brian and I were still in flirt-texting mode, so he knew of my woes and came by in the evening.  He came bearing groceries, and while  we chatted he made me grilled cheese sandwiches -the kind with the square ooey-gooey processed cheese- and Cambell's tomato soup.  It was perfectly comforting and hopefully nourishing to my poor sickly state.

This was the night when we REALLY talked.  I don't even remember what about, maybe movies, religion, family,school, maybe everything.  In our opinion, this was the night that we really hit it off. The night that said, "Ah, yeah.  He is really awesome and totally perfect for you.  You really like him, and I'm pretty sure he really likes you."  That night I learned that Brian was simply honest, very humble, and funny...my top three.  BING BING BING.

We went to an institute dance for our first date.  This one wasn't it, but you get the idea.

We kissed for the first time on our second, sort of formal, date.  Sort of formal, in the fact that he said, "Hey, we should go on a date. How about Saturday?"  I'm SO glad we waited a whole week for that moment.  But honestly, I'm SO glad we waited. It was the difference I needed, for the trust had been earned and the magic built up.

November 1, 2009

Wow. Brian James Green has exceeded my expectations. I can't believe how right he is for me.  He does/is all of the cool things I imagined he would do/be.  It was weird, at first.  He didn't talk much and didn't know what to talk about besides himself and his mission.  I didn't expect him to.  I figured he might be different [post mission] but I was glad he was.  
Brian fits me-completes me- and there's something about him that I want to be like.  He's one that's cool and relaxed and laughs at little weird things and people that I would laugh at.  And for some reason I feel so confident around him.  I can be myself totally and I tend to like myself more.  

Here's what happened the night before I wrote that:

On Halloween, I fell two stories while attempting to rappel down my building. Not my best moment. Its probably best to rappel with a belayer on your first try as an adult.  Brian just laughed, he gets me.

Sorry for the grossness, but I couldn't help myself.  Got a couple threads to stitch her up.  Honestly, it barely hurt because there aren't many nerve endings in the skin of your elbow.  Pinch your elbow as hard as you can.  See?

Here's a little note that Brian left in a text on my phone.  I had left it in his car (typical) and he sneaked into my house and returned it while I was at church (never locked, unsafe).  Written in my journal 11-1-09:

"Dear Nat- I just want to thank you so much for being incredible.  Every time I see you I can't help but smile and every time you smile you light up my life and I can't help but think of how lucky I am to have you in my life.  You are honestly the most amazing and well-rounded person (I'm not talking about your weight:)) that I have ever met. Every day I pray and thank the Lord for you being in my life and beg that I can be the person that you need in your life.  You are always what I need. I absolutely love spending time with you and when I'm around you it seems the rest o the world melts away and you are the only thing that matters to me. I love the twinkle in your eye and your shining smile.  I love how confident and courageous you are.  I love how you can fall from a building and end up in the ER and it doesn't even phase you.  I love how you kick my butt at everything but bowling and how much you care about me as a person.  I love that you speak your mind and you aren't afraid to go after what you want.  I love how you like me as much as I like you and I like you a lot lot lot.  I hope and pray that I can live up to your example and that you can be in my life for a long longtime. You are honestly my better half and the best things about me.  I don't deserve someone as special as you but I work my tail off every day to be half the person you are.  Natalie you are the best.  Love- Your Secret Admirer." 

That was the best love note I have ever received.  I love that Brain.

To Be Continued....