How it all started...

     After seeing all of my new family writing these amazing blogs I decided to start blogging! I also want to use it to stay in touch with my family down in Mississippi and my new family here in Utah, Montana, and California! I was just married in November to my husband Alex who is so wonderful. He's the kind of husband that shows up with flowers and donuts while I'm still in the bed at 11 am. I know, I know... he is definitely a keeper!
     So many people don't know mine and Alex's "story"... so here it is: I started school at BYU-Idaho in January 2012. My first semester was pretty tough on me. I was almost 2,000 miles away from my family and the harsh winter was new to me. I was so ready to get back to the Mississippi heat and my family. I actually wondered how anyone could live in such a dreary and cold place. Before I left for the two week break in April I decided to pray if I should attend another semester at BYU-I. After much thought and prayer I received my answer to come back for the spring semester and let's just say I was NOT happy with that answer,but I sucked it up and signed my apartment contract for another semester.
     About a week into school I met our FHE brothers. They were funny and nice, but I noticed there were only 5 instead of the usual 6. When I asked about the 6th guy, they didn't know much about him. He became this mystery and I anxiously awaited his arrival. Another week rolled around and he was still a mystery to everyone except for one of my FHE brothers, Rich. I always would asked him questions about the 6th guy but his answers were vague. The only thing I knew about this guy is that he was finishing up a semester at Dixie... wherever that was.
     One night I will never forget was when I saw Alex for the first time. My roommates and I were watching TLC's "Say yes to the Dress" and I was about to fall asleep on the couch when Rich popped in. I was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt- my usual. Someone was right behind rich but his face was hidden for a few seconds.. long enough for me to glimpse at his shoes which were big Nikes with loose laces and very skinny legs coming out of them. I figured this was the mystery guy and suddenly my heart dropped. I felt a connection with this mystery guy even though he had not even bothered to look my way. I had never seen him before but I knew him from somewhere. Seems clique but it's true.
     We planned a night to go to Sammy's to get shakes and then go play hide and seek in the Garden on the BYU-I grounds. The whole time we planned this he still didn't even look at me. I hardly knew what his face looked like but I liked his green Hollister jacket. His hair was messy and for some reason it reminded me of Edward Cullen. I don't know if I just like people's attention or what but I was actually mad that he was not paying attention to me. So I did what every curious attention seeking girl would do... I sat RIGHT next to him at Sammy's when we got our shakes. I knew I was making him uncomfortable, but frankly I didn't care. I learned his name was Alex. The name didn't sound familiar at all, but it has continuously rattled in my brain ever since then.
     We played hide and seek in Gardens. I hid with my friend Lacey and we laughed at the gross couple taking a romantic stroll. Little did I know that would be me in a month. I finally was "it" with Alex. Something I had been waiting for ALL night! I talked with him and we joked. We were no longer interested in the game of hide and seek anymore. As I walked by him I watched his movements and the way he walked. Alex walked with long strides, his shoulders slightly back and looking straight forward. He walked with his hands either opened by his sides or halfway in his pockets. I pay way too much attention to detail.
   After that night I spend every single minute I could with Alex. We were inseparable. Rich even gave us the name "Ashlex" cause we were always together. We have been best friends ever since. Alex asked me to be his girlfriend 2 or 3 times before I said "yes" because I didn't want to be another one of those Mormon girls who get married so young. I knew what was right and I knew Alex was the reason why I supposed to stay at BYU-I another semester. A little bit later we were engaged and planning a wedding, but that's another story for another day!
     Alex is my best friend and my the greatest blessing I've ever received. Everyday is so much more fun with him! Thank you for reading!

Love,
Ashlan