From Horses to Horses... Part 3

Warning. Contains minor sappy love story content. Read at your own risk.

I think the day after our horse "date" (or early payment for taking notes, as Chris would like to call it) Chris left on his glorious hunting trip to Montana. I remember randomly during the weekend I received picture of a beautiful mountainous view. The one time Chris randomly had service, he thought to send me pictures. Of course at the time to him I was only one of those pretty little blondes that are one in a MILLION at BYU, but still.... I like to pretend that at that moment, I was something special to him. :) (Who knows how many other girls he sent that picture to?)

He got back and within a couple of days he texted me to see if he could "get his notes over dinner" and I said of course. When he picked me up, I had my notebook in hand and was ready to let him copy down his notes when he laughed at me! He failed to convey his sarcasm (via text) and apparently had no intentions whatsoever to actually collect the notes. Later that week I get a facebook message. "Are you hungry?" and I replied with something like "If you are asking me out on a date, then yes." Of course he said he wasn't, he just wanted to know if I was hungry but we went out anyways.

We had a couple more dates, one consisting of fishing where I couldn't cast and insisted upon naming the worms and another where I wouldn't let him kill a bee (he insists it was a wasp). Finally on one Friday night that I was actually hanging out with some girl friends he asked me what I was up to. After getting ice cream with the girls I told him where I was and he came to pick me up. He said he was surprised that I was up to it this late and I replied with (according to him) "That's what your supposed to do in college!" or something honkey like that. That night we went up to a gazebo on the side of a mountain overlooking Utah Valley. I borrowed his sweat shirt and we walked up to it and sat and talked for quite a while. He indicated that we should probably head back and as we left the gazebo I think I grabbed his hand (?). I was shivering on the walk home and he stopped to "warm me up." I stared right up into his cute country face as he told me I have beautiful eyes and then boom. He laid one on me smack dab on the lips.

Can I just pause and point out how blissfully sweet and innocent going on dates is until the first kiss? Then it just gets messy.

So after a few more dates, complications arose. He thought I was crazy, my brother (who had never met Chris) sent him a threatening message on Facebook, I was a little girl who was terrified at the thought of dating... you know, the list goes on. Anyway, the rest of that semester we had some issues but we still studied together and talked in class. By the end of the semester I had given him advise on what to say to some cheesy girl and dared me to ask a guy out in the library. Over Christmas break I remember being surprised at how much he came up.

The next semester we had most of our classes together (again) and somehow ended up sitting with each other (again) probably against his will. We eventually just became genuine friends who went to lunch together daily. Everyone in our major thought we were dating. We talked about problems and issues we were facing and got to know each other on a much deeper level than just the typical flirty friends. As the semester drew to a close an interest in him developed (again). All the sudden I was looking at him as a possible guy to date again and it was rather confusing. During conference I expressed this and he expressed similar feelings and about a week after that we started "dating" again. Oh. Boy. 

From Horses to Horses... Part 2: How to rock your first date

On his way to practice, Chris ran into his friend Travis who was also trying to work some magic with a pretty girl.
"Hey man, I just got a date with a hot blonde girl!"
          Travis stopped talking to the girl to respond, "Wow cool. That never happens! You always stick with brunettes!"
"Yeah, I know! We're going horse-back riding." He makes a big chest and does the I'm awesome grunt before he says "Horses are like puppies, no girl can resist. How are you doin'?"
          "So good, just talking with my friend Kathryn. How're you?"
"I'm fine; we just got this huge dog back back at our apartment," Chris said, pulling out his phone. "He's huge!" He opened up a picture to show them. After a bit more conversation, he gingerly walked off to practice.

When he'd finished practice Chris started talking with his friend, Brian, who invited him to go on a horse riding that night. He texted me and asked me to go riding that night and apologized for the short notice.

...a bit later...

As I sat on my couch and did homework, my roommate walked in the apartment. "Guess what I get to go do tonight!" I exclaimed.
          "What?"
"I got asked out on a date to go horse-back-riding!"
          "Oh fun!... Did this guy by any chance have a picture of a huge dog on his phone?"
"Umm.... yes he did..." I inquisitively replied.
          "Oh wow! I had a guy come up to Travis and I and brag that he got some hot girl's number! He said he was going horse back riding and showed us a picture of his dog!"
"Oh! That is so funny! Did he say anything else?"
          "Yeah. He said he got you to go on the date because 'Horses are like puppies; no girls can resist!'"
After a good laugh at the irony of the whole situation, a small scheme started to brew...

Later that evening, Chris picked me up in the "Blurp" (a car that looked blue when he bought it but turned out to be purple) with his friend Brian Weirich and an unnamed date. The ride down to Payson was quite entertaining. First of all, it is necessary to know that both Brian and Chris talked funny. On multiple occasions I remember stealing a laugh with the other date just listening to their conversations. Between the twang of a redneck coming from one and a drawn out southern drawl from the other, we couldn't keep our faces straight. They had us laughing up a storm.

When we got to the horses Chris and I walked out to catch a few. As we were walking I started expressing my appreciation for his invite to go riding. "I am so excited! I love horses! You know? I've always thought horses are kind of like puppies... I just can't resist!" I sounded like such giddy little girl as I exclaimed the statement with such enthusiasm. His timid laugh proved he was catching on. I later explained to him the whole situation and I must say, I think he was a bit embarrassed. Not such a smooth talker for once in his life!

All in all the date was just plain funny. Chris asked all the right questions and said all the right things. Once he got over the whole puppy incident, he was right back on his "A game" shmoozing me with his little accent and adorable straight teeth. By the time he had dropped me off, I leaned over to give him a hug (since he didn't walk me to the door) and he acted as if he was shocked and didn't want to hug me back. Playing a little hard to get, I guess. As I left the car, I remembered being surprised that my first impression was wrong. I actually enjoyed the date.... and he didn't even give me food! You know it must have been entertaining if that's the case!

From Horses to Horses... Part 1: how to get a first date

I'm Marci- I'm GeTtInG MaRrIeD?! Yes. It is true. For those of you who knew me in the past and doubted my ability to graduate the Uof(A)GM (University of [Almost] Guaranteed Marriage) single: you were right. I ALMOST DID IT though since I am graduating in December (!).

Anyways back to my love life: 

I, Marci Lucas (I know, I know) Nelson, am getting married to Christopher Aaron Reno on August 18, 2012 in the Spokane, Washington temple (for those of you who don't know what an LDS temple is or what they're for, click here). 

Now, inside your inquisitive little head you may be asking questions that sound something like how did this happen? Or maybe even when did this happen? Or, if you knew both of us well two years ago, probably what happened?! Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (according to Julie Andrews, at least). It all started in September of 2010. I had just switched into my new major (Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation) and had many exciting things occur which can be reviewed by reading previous posts. I had added all new classes and could not wait to get into the swing of things. 

Now, before you read this, just remember that I am, in fact, a nice person. This account is a combination of how the story is told both by Chris and me so you ought to be getting a bit of both sides. 

It was probably the second or third day of school and I was standing with the rest of my Living with Plants class outside, examining a tree. My professor was commenting on the coloration of the leaves and I was scribbling away at my notebook, trying to record every spoken word. It wasn't until the clearing of a throat that I noticed someone standing next to me. I gave him a quick up-down and analyzed the situation. Shorts. Button-up shirt. And skater shoes. Big, puffy, red and white DC shoes. No way was I trying the skater again. Failed me once already. Anyways, he started talking to me and I am not going to lie, I was a bit.. cold, for a lack of a better word. 

"What's your name?"

          "Marci"

"Oh..." 

(awkward silence when I'm supposed to return the question)

"My name's Chris. What's your major?" he asked in attempt to understand why on earth a little barbie blond in stiletto heels was in the class.

          I answered with minimal words taking note of his funny accent, "Wildlife and Wildlands 

          Conservation" 

"Oh... (again, awkward waiting)... me too."

          "Oh well it's nice to meet you; I've gotta run to my next class."

Wow. Could I have been any more worse? It was the shoes, okay?? Little did I realize that for the next couple of days he attempted to sit by me in class by moving from the back row to the front row, making sure he had available seats on both sides allowing me a choice on which side of him I could choose to sit. Unfortunately his efforts went unnoticed. One day the club for our major came to class telling us about a opening social they'd be having. They asked who would be coming to get a head count. Given the knowledge that there would be free food at said meeting, anyone that knows me would logically assume my hand shot up. Well, it did. And after Chris saw that, his hand slowly went up, too.

Now, at this point in time, you have to give this guy some credit. He was either super persistent and knew what he wanted or just plain stupid for even trying to get close to such a snot like me. Anyway, he showed up to the Wildlife Activity to see me standing in line, stacking my plate with food. As we mingled with different people, he creepily kept his eye on me so I couldn't escape without being noticed. I started to walk off to yet another class when he caught up to me. At this point in time, I knew I should probably recognize him but couldn't quite recall the face. He asked how I was doing and I answered politely. He then proceeded to explain that he was going to be gone for the rest of the week because he was going up to Montana. He needed someone to take notes for him. As any kind person would do, I offered to take notes for him and then asked, "What classes do we have together?"

          After clearing his throat, he replied "All of them."

Yes. It was confirmed. I was utterly unaware of his existence and he knew it. Bummer. 

After quickly recuperating from the blow he asked "Do you like horses?"

          Not seeing the trap, I said yes. 

He backed me into a corner with "Good. I will take you to ride some horses down in Payson as payment for taking notes for me.

I could not have gotten out of that one if I tried because he set no date or time on the occasion and I hadn't practiced the boyfriend card enough to use it confidently. Of course, I can't honestly say I didn't want to go on a horse back ride either. We talked a bit more to get to know each other a bit more. When he found out I liked dogs, he showed me a picture of a giant dog at home named Camo. When I asked why he was going to Montana. I discovered he was an avid hunter. 

          "You probably think I'm awful now, huh?"

"Oh not at all," I lied as he got my number. As he turned around and walked away I hollered "If you see anything, don't shoot it!" He shook his head as he ran up the stairs on the way to practice. Well, at least she's pretty he thought in desperation, trying to remind himself why he had worked so hard to get my number. 

Alright, just so you know... the story gets less sad (obviously since it ends in marriage) and my actions are redeemed (at least, i'd like to think so). 

Family Christmas

I'm Marci- I'm seeing change. The Christmas season is a time of tradition and contains many of my favorite childhood memories.  Some of the more entertaining memories/traditions are :
             -Having a sibling "sleep"overs on Christmas Eve (which didn't stay tradition for long after my parents realized that sleep doesn't occur)
             -Cuddling with the siblings to a Christmas Eve movie that, of course, would not satisfy everybody's wants and desires with eight kids involved.
            -Getting everybody together to watch Luke II on Christmas Eve was a chore and remained a chore until that last ugly goat's baaaaaa concluding the video.

After reminiscing about those I have noticed some slight changes in the family.
Christmas slumber parties are a bit different... Being one of the last unmarried children of the family I share a bed with odds and ends instead of a floor with all the kids.
As for the Christmas movie I cannot say that that's still tradition whatsoever. That was vetoed after we tried to watch Pete's Dragon last year. (Yes, yes, the memories are great from being a child but have you actually watched that within the last decade?)

Luke II is actually one of the few things that hasn't changed much. The only difference is the voices that complain have hit puberty.  

All in all this Christmas showed me that my family is growing up. The "kids" get less silly presents like TechDecks and SillyPutty and instead are getting stuff like sewing machines and home decor (AND Mom and Dad get way better presents because their kids can actually afford them). No body cares who sits at what table for Christmas dinner. Todd, Zack and I don't count our presents anymore. I think that the biggest "growing up" occurring is my siblings are beginning to pull away into their own little families. I have dreaded this for a long time.

I am a sucker for good memories and family time and thinking about changing that scares me. After giving it much speculation I am realizing that no matter how hard you try you can't keep things the way they were. People grow up. Traditions change. Life happens. There is no point in trying to force tradition when it just doesn't work anymore. I think what I'm trying to say is that yes, my family is changing but that's okay. I am beginning to accept that the time is soon approaching when we all must divide into our own families and create our own traditions. Why am I able to do this? Because I have packed twenty years full of memories and can cherish everyone of them. Thank you family.

I'm Marci and I'm seeing change.