Born to be Wild

Who would have thought that this Johnny Depp wanna-be boy . . .

and this Miss-Molly-Mormon girl . . .

Would find each other out of the billions of people in the world . . .

and fall madly in love, forever.

Happy 11th anniversary to us!

I used to wish upon a star, thinking of my future love, singing:

"Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight . . . "

I just KNEW Charles was out there, somewhere, wishing for me, too. :-)

A Brief Recap:

Charles and I dated from April-September of 1999. I had known him since January of 1999, but he had a different girlfriend when I met him. ;-) We met in an Institute class while attending U.A.A. I highly recommend Institute!

We taught lessons on the same day, he caught my eye, and I caught his (though we had been in class together for 4 months!) I called him that night, we chatted, and we met at a dance, no, THE dance, the next day. He took my hand, and gently led me to the dance floor. At which time, electricity flew threw my body, a light beamed down from Heaven, and everyone else disappeared. I knew, it was HIM. Looking back, I can really see that the Spirit was very strong, leading us, guiding us, encouraging us to move forward, together, despite any fears.

One of the things we did that sort of "sealed the deal" (no pun intended) was taking a trip to Arizona. He stayed with his mom, and I stayed with my brother's family. We then decided to go visit my Grandma's in Utah, so Charles borrowed his mom's truck and we traveled together, with my sister Bethanie as a chaperone. ;-) (Thanks Beppy!) We all squeezed into the front of the little bench-seated truck . . . and we had amazing time traveling together. I felt like I was "home" with Charles. No fear, no worry.

This picture was taken at a grocery store right before we left on our trip from Arizona to Utah. (Ignore the shirt, I had fried my shoulders into blisters and could not wear a real shirt -- it was totally nasty and it hurt SO bad!) When my Grandma Lindquist met Charles for the first time he was pealing dead skin off of my shoulders -- she loved Charles. ;-)

The reason I love that picture (above) is because it shows "the truck". 11 years later, it is the SAME truck that Charles drives to work today. (His mother gave it to him for $10.00 a few years ago.) Though some may not think much of it, to me it means everything. It creates my favorite sound in the whole world . . . the truck engine . . . it means my honey is HOME! ;-) How I love that loud VROOOOOMMMM sound. Nothing better.

Over 11 years ago (September 4th, 1999) Charles took me up a mountain in Denali, Alaska, and he asked me to marry him. This picture was taken as we were coming down. ;-) (Don't ask me what he is doing??)

There were many church dances and dates before we made it official . . . but we knew, from the very first night together -- that there was something special between us . . .

Magic, real magic.

Picture from a Halloween dance??

This picture was taken the same day we climbed the mountain of engagement. I love this picture because it shows the special love between us. And also, it shows that Charles has always held me on a pedestal. And I love him deeply for it.

Picture also taken in Denali at the cabins my family stayed in. We were just smooching all the time. I am sure it was grossing people out.

Decemeber 4th 1999 the morning before the big moment.

My sister's, Kary and Beppy were helping me get ready to go.

I am, of course, talking to Charles. ;-)

Married in the Anchorage, Alaska Temple December 4th, 1999

The very beginning of the new van Ormer family

(It was SO COLD outside, getting married in December in Alaska is a crazy thing to do!)

Charles is ready to start shoveling our way through life

We had the reception later that same day. My mother put together a beautiful party, as always.

Our cake had a couple on a motorcycle, symbolizing that we were "Born to be Wild"(However, in real life, I have never been on a motorcycle and I now have NO desire!)

Yeah, I am SO wild and crazy!

My niece just got married at 19 (I was 19, too) and it made me think on our own experience. She had her invitation pictures taken on a motorcycle, and she wore blue converse shoes under her wedding dress. My tennis shoes were white. ;-)

We had a little reception line . . . pictured here were two of my old Bishops from the 6th ward, Bishop and Linda Novakovich (Hilary Week's parents) and President and Pat Wadsworth. (Who we ended up working for, as apartment managers in Alaska.) Love them both so much. I have such fond memories of them. Bishop Novakovich was my Sunday school teacher for a long time, and President Wadsworth did my temple interview, right before I got married.

It was a beautiful evening, but I was so tired. Little did I know it was only a matter of time until mono would take over my body, and knock me off my feet! Instructions from the doctor a week after getting married: No Kissing, etc. HA!

Pictured: Emily, Beppy, Me, Kary

Best friend and lovely sisters. ;-)

Me and Johnny (my little brother) . . . one of my other favorite men. ;-)

He is to me, as Daniel is to Sammi. Buddies.

Me and my Daddy, whom I adore.

My favorite picture: These are my Young Women leaders performing the song "Born to be Wild" at my reception . . . Wow. How great is that?

(For those of you who may not know . . . I was voted in high school:

Most likely to join Hell's Angels.) Yeah. Me. Very Funny.

11 years have come and gone so quickly. I feel the same as I did then, that is what is so strange. I am the same girl, just older. I feel so blessed to have found Charles. He makes my heart flutter just thinking about him. He has proven to me that anything is possible, if you work hard for it. He has taught me how to really love people. He has such a good heart, a charitable heart.

We sang our song, Unchained Melody, at Katie's reception, and as we performed I felt a great surge of love for him.

Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long lonely time

And time can move so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

Lonely rivers flow, to the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers cry

Wait for me, wait for me

I'll be coming home

Wait for me

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me . . .

I am so grateful that Charles was sent to me, at the right place, at the right time. I know we are meant to be together. I knew it the first time we danced. We have been through so much together, and we have learned so much together. Things we could have never learned apart. Over the years we have grown closer and closer together . . . and closer still.

I admire and adore Charles more now, than ever. As Julie Andrews sings in The Sound of Music, "I must have done something good." (for God to send Charles to me.)

To the future, my friend, my love . . . to infinity and beyond.

Born to be Wild . . . Wildly in LOVE . . . Forever.