Engagement Story

Five years ago today my husband asked me to marry him. Saying yes was the best decision I ever made! I love my husband and all the memories that we have made together. We have been through so much already together but I am so excited to see where our future takes us :)

The day before our Engagement we were planning to go on a date. I remember like it was yesterday. I was getting ready for the day while texting Zachary. He didn't seem himself that day and I was asking if he was ok? In response I got a text stating that he thought we should break up. My heart shattered in a million pieces. I loved him! At this point we were together almost a year and a half. I had plans for our future, I thought he was the one. I called him as fast as I could. He answered and stated the same thing in tears that he thought we should break up. I didn't understand. I told him I was coming over to talk things through. 

I gathered everything he had ever given me (I was a little dramatic). I stuffed all his things in big black garbage bags and headed over to his house. When I arrived I drug everything to the front door (see I was crazy). I rang the door bell and his sister answered. I gave her the bags and asked if I could talk to Zach. She stated he didn't want to see me. I walked away and got in my car in tears. I tried to pull myself together.

Once I had a little control I went back to the door and stated I was going to talk to Zach. I went upstairs to his room, walked in and sat down on the edge of his bed. We were facing each other and he had his head down. All I could manage to ask at this point was why? Do you not love me?

In response I got the answer I was not expecting. "I haven't loved you for a long time, I don't know why I was staying with you." If that doesn't sting someones heart then I don't know what else will. There was a lot of crying and me trying to make him talk. I even remember slapping his face and walking out of his room (dramatic I know). I went downstairs and he followed. He walked me out to my car and told me to drive safe home. I was so mad and heart broken. I didn't know what I did wrong to make him do this to me. 

When I arrived him my sister Melissa and brother Dallin decided we should go out for the day and try to get my mind off of things. They are the best brother and sister I could ever ask for, but nothing can get your mind off of a horrible heartbreak. We drove up around Draper and looked at the giant houses. We spent hours looking at the houses and saying which ones we liked. Zachary and I sent a couple of texts back and forth. I didn't want to text him but he was wanting to make sure I was ok. He would ask what I was doing and I would tell him. 

A few hours later it was the same thing, he would ask and I would tell him. After we drove around Draper which didn't help looking at houses because I wanted a future with Zach. We headed over to Chinese Gourmet to eat. I was not in the mood to eat either. My brother and sister were trying so hard to cheer me up. I did enjoy that they took that effort and I know I smiled a few times that day but nothing was what I wanted. I wanted that date Zachary and I had planned on for today.

The next day was Sunday May 25, 2008. Zachary texted me that morning and told me he wanted to meet me at temple square in front of the fountain by the Conference Center. I wanted to say no but yet I knew I needed more closure and was curious to what he would say. I told him I would meet him after our church meetings around 5pm. We went about our days and I never really heard from him. Everyone was saying how sorry they were about hearing Zach and I break up (doing this does not help anyone feel better). I didn't know that all day Zach was texting my brother. They were forming a secret plan that I had no idea about (hence the secret plan haha).

Five was finally rolling around and I was getting anxious. My stomach was turning so badly. I wanted him to just take me back so we could have our future together but yet I was so hesitant to because what if he did this to me again. My heart was broken and I don't think I could handle much more. My brother and I headed down to temple square. We parked underneath the conference center building and started walking up towards the fountain. I turned the corner towards the fountain and I saw him sitting on a ledge looking so sad. I wanted to run to him and tell him I love him and to just tell him to get back together with me already but I remembered yesterday how he told me he didn't love me.

When I finally meet him face to face in front of the fountain I could see the pain and sadness in his eyes. The next thing I know Zach gave me a big hug. He was saying how sorry he was for what he said. He told me that it wasn't true,  he really did love me. He explained how his bishop had pressured him so much to break up with me that he finally did it. He realized an hour after I left how stupid he was to let such a perfect girl go.

I guess he went out that day and found a ring for me. He made this plan to meet me at Temple Square to try to win me back. This whole time I was being so dramatic and texting other guys. I had a few dates set up already. We texted back and forth as I had stated above a few times but it wasn't like our usual constant messaging.

 I told him that I was really hurt by what he did and I would need time. We hugged for a long time, I am sure my brother got bored.

After that Zach said I have something for you. The next thing I know Zach pulled a ring out of his pocket. He said Laurel will you wait for me while I serve my mission so I can marry you on my return. It was so cute. I cried more! I finally whispered in his ear yes but only if he never pulled this stunt ever again haha.

The saddest heartbreak turned into an engagement. Our story is like no other engagement story but we love it that way. We are an original couple. We are different from others. We are so strong! We have been through so much together. I love my husband! Saying yes was the best decision I made back in 2008. I love the life I have with Zachary just like I knew I would way back at 17, in reality its even better then I expected :)