After the restored gospel . . .

Next in line on my Thankful Countdown to Turkey Day is Ben of course! I deem myself the luckiest girl in the world to have snagged this one. For those of you who don't know our story, let me give you a quick glimpse at how we met. It is quiet funny actually.

(young love)

It was my second sunday in my new singles ward (just three weeks after the mission) and Liz Hales was adamant about finding me a guy to hook up with. Afterall, it'd been roughly 20 months since I'd kissed anyone. Well, I wasn't down with any of the guys she was pointing to, so fed up with me, she asked, "Fine, who would you pick?"

I looked up at the pulpit and pointed to the cute, tall, blond-headed boy giving a most uplifting talk.

Her response was "good luck." I of course, was up for the challenge.

So after church I told him I enjoyed his talk, thinking he'd be flattered and ask me out right? Well, Ben does not even remember my first three attempts to woo him. How sad! So I gave up.

Obviously.

I decided on one of his friends instead. And as you can all imagine, once I tried to work my magic with Jared Ben took notice of who I was and asked me out.

(wedding bells)

I practically knew after our very first date that we would get married. We talked about politics (yes Barack Obama was mentioned and this was way back in 2006), books, basketball (he feined interest to try and impress me) and the marvel of the great outdoors. I was smitten and at the doorstep I was certain there would be a second date.

Three months later we were talking marriage and by the beginning of summer we were wed for time and all eternity. Gosh I love him so much.

He is my best friend, my comfort, my love. He supports me in anything I want to do, no matter how crazy it is, and picks me up when I hit rock bottom. I love him so much. Ben, I am SOOOOOOOOO THANKFUL FOR YOU.