The First Kiss

In honor of Valentine's Day, I decided to write about our very first kiss. If you are sensitive to mushy-stuff, young love, or kissing scenes . . . do NOT keep reading! Rated: PG

It had been 2 months of hand-holding, hugging, sitting close, and talking . . . before we actually pressed our lips together. We had made a deal. And that deal was NO KISSING! The reason for the "deal" was because we liked each other so much. We did not want the overwhelming physical-desire that we had to take away from our desire to REALLY get to know each other. Looking back now, what we managed to do was impressive, and the self-control we rendered was close to a miracle!

Institute class was on the U.A.A. campus

We met in a church Institute class in Anchorage, Alaska. To sum it up quickly, we were both asked to teach on the same day. My lesson was on Home and Family and his was on Moral-Schizophrenia. I had never really noticed Charles before that moment, not really. But as he taught (wearing ripped-up jeans, a long sleeve T-Shirt, and soccer shoes) -- I was smitten. There was something about his voice, and his charm. There was a lot there, inside of him, and I wanted to get to know him better. I sat there captivated by his ideas and convictions regarding morals . . . I also noticed his beautiful brown eyes, his broad shoulders, and nice rear-end. When it was my turn to teach, I could feel someone staring at me -- I mean REALLY staring at me (particularly my backside), when I went to turn on the TV. When I turned around, it was him . . . he was noticing me for the first time, too. And so, not willing to let this connection go without result . . . I approached him after class and started the conversation. From there we chatted on the phone late into the night, and decided to meet at a dance the next day . . .

I walked into the church cultural hall, with high-anticipation.

I looked around to find Charles -- he was talking to another girl (she was a nice girl, that I liked a lot, but she was still another girl). Aargh. In an effort to make him jealous, I went and talked to another boy, before approaching Charles. (He has since let me know that that drove him crazy.) He continued talking to this girl, while I decided to sneak up next to him and pinch him on the butt. That quickly turned his attention to me. (Yeah, I am not one for subtle, or wasting time.) And then, just in time, a sappy love song played over the speakers, and we decided it was time for us to dance. It is strange, I do not remember the song that played, but it was a traditional LDS slow-dance song (Lady in Red? I Swear? Everything I Do, I Do it for You?). I do not recall the song, but I clearly recall the way I felt when Charles took my hand in his, and placed his hand on my waist . . .

It was MAGIC.

From that moment on, I knew things were going to be different. I had danced with a lot of boys . . . but it had NEVER felt like . . . well, I can't explain it, other than to say . . . it was RIGHT. I would embarrass you (and myself) if I went into detail about magnets, puzzle-pieces, and electricity. So, I will leave the juicy details to myself! But just thinking about that moment makes my heart beat faster, even now. Wow, it was powerful. It was truly like finding the one that was meant just for me. I felt it. In that moment. A fire began brewing inside of me.

That feeling was strong. It was stronger than anything I had ever felt before. It was SO strong, that we committed to our NO KISSING rule. It was crucial that we waited, that we talked, and discussed, and explored the world without our faces locked together, constantly. I can remember one of our first nights we spent talking, he merely touched my hair, and it sent shivers down my spine . . . Edward and Bella had NOTHING on us! So, we had to be really careful. And we were.

Edward and Bella = Wimpy Love

Weeks went by . . . we talked, we dated, we explored, we even traveled. We took a trip down from Alaska to visit family, and then we traveled together from Arizona to Utah (chaperoned by my sister Beth -- THANKS BETH!). We were in very close proximity in his mom's truck (the very same blue-beast of a truck he drives today) and still, NO kissing! It was not easy, though. I almost broke the rule on that trip. It was such a magical time for us. One night in Utah, under the stars, on my Nan's porch . . . I wanted to end our commitment -- I wanted to KISS! But he would not give into my weakness. He gently reminded me of our agreement, and that HE wanted to keep it. (What a good boy.) But I was getting tired of our agreement at that point -- I was ready to smooch! It would have been such a lovely moment, too, under the stars . . .

Riding next to each other in his truck . . . Beth took the picture.

The first picture of us ever taken, June 1999 . . . in front of the Salt Lake Temple -- too bad it did not turn out better!

We returned home after the trip, and my friend Melinda, from Arizona, returned with us. (I have vast amounts of e-mails I sent to Melinda about Charles, all saved in my journal -- they are hilarious!) We spent our time doing things together during the day, and at night we would all watch movies on our projector in the basement.

Melinda and Me during her visit

Charles and I had been together for 2 months at this point and still NO KISSING! After being rejected on the porch and seeing Charles' commitment, I was getting used to no kissing, and I was almost willing to wait until the altar (do you know how irresistible that made him?? Saying "no" to me made me want him even more!). However, we received some wise council against waiting to kiss -- from someone who actually kissed her husband for the FIRST TIME over the altar! WOW! (Cheryl Ekstrom, you are SUPER IMPRESSIVE!!)

So, after all of this amazing self-control and commitment-keeping . . . we were in the basement of my parents house, watching a movie surrounded by friends and siblings. (Our basement was always full of people.) I was sitting close to Charles on the couch, we had our fingers entwined, and our faces leaning close together -- watching Jurassic Park. (It was a BIG-deal movie in it's day!)

The next thing I knew there was a large Dinosaur, ripping someone apart -- and Charles had his lips pressed against mine! Say what? Traitor!

After all the weeks, and months, and romantic moments that had gone by -- he picked a crowded room, in the basement, watching Jurassic Park? I was shocked! It was NOT how it was supposed to be! So, at my request, I determined we should leave the crowded room, go upstairs in the light, and try it again. And from that moment on -- for six months until we were married -- we made up for lost time . . .

And we have never stopped kissing since. :-)

SMOOCH!