|
March 7, 2008
Our Story...
By KaraLyn, for Richard
So here we are. It has been ten years, and I still can’t believe it! If I would have known the challenges and trials that we were going to face ten years ago, I wonder if I would have changed my mind about getting married… But then, when I look back at all the overwhelmingly rewarding experiences and blessings that came with all those trials, I realize I wouldn’t change it one bit. I am happier now then I ever could have imagined back then. It really does just get better, even with kids, believe it or not!
It’s funny that for the first year of marriage we were constantly telling people how we met and the whole engagement story etc. It seems there were one or two people who were actually even interested. But, I have found that for the past nine years we haven’t told it much, So, I am going to test myself and see what I can still remember ten years later. Although Richard, time and time again, proves he has the better memory, I think I can pull this off. (Of course, I may have to skip many of the important details…) So, here goes a quick recap from ten years ago…
Richard returned home from his mission on November 7, 1997. His parents were serving a mission in Japan at the time, so his brother, Scott, picked him up from the airport. On the way home, Scott told Richard he found someone he should marry. “Her name is KaraLyn Burt” he said. Richard remembered me from high school and thought, “No way! She is too young and nerdy.” Scott only knew who I was because I happened to be taking a religion class from him that semester.
A day or too later, I ran into Richard in the Snow building at BYU-Idaho (then Ricks College) after a concert. During this concert, I was sitting next to a music nerd (Apparently, like myself.) who was always asking me out. And, on the other side of me sat my old boyfriend who wanted to somehow still make things work out. It was a little awkward to say the least, and boy was I relieved when the concert finally ended! Afterwards, when we all ran into Richard, my old boyfriend greeted him with a hug. (They knew each other in high school.)
Within a day or two, Richard and I were put as stand partners in the Chamber Orchestra, and as they say, the rest is history! On December 4, 1997, Richard finally got the courage to ask me out on our first date. In late January 1998, we got engaged, and we were married not a minute too soon on March 7, 1998. (Four months exactly from the day he came home from his mission.) There were many who were somewhat skeptical as to how quickly this all came about. Well, for being so quick, it makes for a really long story that I will not get into. Needless to say, it was right. I knew it, and Richard knew it… that is, as soon as he said yes at the altar in the Idaho Falls Temple. J Once Richard came to the understanding that I had made up my mind and there was no turning back, he realized there was no reason to prolong our eternal partnership. As my dad puts it (nicely) “Drink, or step away from the fountain!” We did, and our lives have been a rollercoaster ever since. A good one, of course.
Approximately nine months after we got married, a little package arrived. We named him Thomas. These little packages seemed to just keep coming every couple of years, but each one was so unique and wonderful! Our children have been our greatest joys! (And at times, our greatest frustrations, but to keep this on a positive note I won’t get into that.) Can I just say, (And I think any parent reading this will agree) children are the best teachers! I have learned so much from my children! But, with all they have taught me, one thing I have really come to know, is that I still have so much to learn! They keep me humble. When I was first married, I remember thinking I knew everything and was ready for anything. I mean, I did take two child development classes. I honestly didn’t think there could be that much more to it. (Ha! Ha!) But, I wouldn’t trade the experiences (good or bad) for anything. Although we have had to make sacrifices along they way, the blessings that have come have far exceeded these sacrifices.
|
