Excerpt from Rob's Journal

Saturday, February 10, 2001

Dear! Dear! Dear! Dear! Dear! ... I am such a slacker when it comes to writing in my journal lately--I am going to sum up.
Met Tamra--didn't know how I felt about Tamra. Held her hand, began relationship--went back, started again--relationship reinstated. Confusion! AO or Tamra--Pray...Pray...Think...Pray...Think...Pray and think simultaneously---I like Tamra...I want to marry Tamra. Fire from Heaven enters my heart and attacks my appendages! All thoughts and feelings considering AO for future wife are dismissed and knowledge begins to grow of Tamra...and this vision grows and is strengthened. Two weeks later she asks me what she sees in my eyes--I was giving her a look I guess--It was October 14th. I told her I wanted to ask her a question but didn't feel ready to ask yet...but if I were to ask how would you respond, I queired. She had to think and pray about it. The next night she proposed to me. I was surprised but was reminded of my answer. I said yes.
The nesxt two months were busy. Behind in school work, stress, getting to know more about one another. Working through differences and emotions, but having a great time together and growing in love. (One quick note...I fell in love w/her to begin with while mopping the floor. Cleaning is a celestial duty! It just came to me and love for her filled my heart. This was before the engagement...Where was I...) Plans came together and family made it out. I got to take her through the veil in the temple, and the love I had for her grew. As I knelt across from her the next morning and saw her in her beautiful dress and the temple clothing my heart soared. Our eyes were filled w/love and excitement for one another.
Honeymoon went great--don't really need too many details. Spent it in a number of places. Three receptions later we finally ended the wedding ride and began "real life" and now we have been at it about 1 1/2 months. Growing so much. Loving, laughing, learning and living (or at least trying to live). Differences have been discovered, changes have been made. In learning about her I have learned about myself. A lot of self reflection. Priorities. Marriage is hard, but I am grateful I married Tamra. I continue to know it is right.
Just today I was playing football w/B and some other guys. Tamra came about 1:00 to pick me up. She climbed out of the car. It was a beautiful day and the sunlight hit her beauitful face. She shone. Her eyes sparkled. She was so gorgeous, and it is a picture that I hope will forever be implanted in my brain. I fell in love w/her again. ... I had missed her. I hugged and kissed her.
Life is busy but we are going to make it. Life is hard at times but we are happy and are going to be happy for forever. ... I know it. She is the love of my life and creates within me a vision of eternity.
RIT

Excerpt from Rob's Journal

I have been married for almost one week already. So much to catch up on. Once again I don’t have the time now to catch it all. I love being married. It has been a great week. At our sealing the sealer told us a great deal about the symbolism of the endowment. How wonderful that was! I learned so much.
She was absolutely gorgeous in her wedding dress. The day went wonderfully and after the reception we went to Salt Lake for the evening. Saw The Testaments the next day, and have been enjoying all of our time w/one another. I love her so very much. We are flying to Ohio tomorrow—our courtship, engagement, preparation and marriage are really a wonderful story. I need to write it down. …
RIT

Excerpt from Tamra's Journal

August 28, 2000
JOURNAL
School starts! Yea! I’m WAY PUMPED for the year. My classes are rad, my ward is pretty cool, I’m enjoying people and socializing and being a part of the school and activities and life and, … !!! Fun! Have I said that I LOVE my roommates? They have their quirks, of course, but they’re RAD! Great sense of humor. Wonderful people all round.
I miss JH and I wish he were around to talk to. He is my best friend and I don’t seem to replace those very quickly. There are people I talk to, still, but it doesn’t seem to be QUITE the same. Oh, but I know this is the Lord’s will for both of us right now and I am VERY glad, for many reasons, that he is absent from my life for the moment. But I do miss him. … Other boys here, of course, have an appeal. None of them are JH, but in some ways I’m very thankful for that. … There is one in particular I’m fond of, Rob. He’s in my ward and he’s a stud. I wonder what he thinks of me. … He’s very funny, a wonderful dancer, handsome, nice, polite, … and quite enjoyable just to talk to and be around. Hopefully this year we can become friends before he gets married off.
Anyway, things are rad and I’m so happy to be here! My soul rests at ease here. …
Yours, Tamra