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| Our Favorite. Ps. He's my Favorite. |
For those of you who know me, you know that I have a serious obsession with pictures and documenting everything, and I mean everything! Engagement pictures have been something I have looked forward to for years. I had this image in my head that I would look perfect, he would look perfect, the location would be perfect and our outfits would be perfect. That isn't too much to ask for is it...?
Because I had these expectations in my head, the day we had scheduled for our engagement pictures was drawing nearer and nearer and I had NOTHING. I could not think of one outfit that I already owned that I could live with. I decided it was time to shop. The week before I began my search.
Wednesday - no success.
Thursday - even worse.
Friday - painfully worse. I cried.
And...... the next few days were the same. I would walk into a store already knowing they would not have what my little girl heart had imagined. Way to go Chels - setting yourself up for failure! Thankfully I have the most amazing Fiance who let me cry it out, and continued to tell me that no matter what we were wearing, they would be great because we would be in them together.
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| Classic Utah County BYU Couple pose. |
I began to be stressed about the location as well. I had pushed our pictures out to March thinking that the snow would be gone, and We could take pictures up American Fork Canyon at Tibble Fork Resevoir. Well guess what? There was still snow. Obviously I cried again and made it into a bigger deal than I needed to. Bryan again, was a sweetheart. He spent 4 hours on the Saturday before our scheduled appt (March 15th) driving ALL over the Utah County with me trying to find a place that would live up to my expectations. How does this boy put up with me? He is seriously amazing. I feel bad for being so dramatic about the whole thing, but I just love that he is willing to do whatever he can to make me happy even when my expectations are impossible.
I had many friends over the course of that week who spent hours with me at many different malls and in countless dressing rooms. Heather, Merrill, Kylie and Kate - I have no idea what I would do without you girls. You listen to my nonesense, you waste time you could use otherwise to help me out, you make me laugh and you help me feel beautiful. Thank you :)
The Thursday before I went to get my hair cut. Well, not MY hair, my hair extensions. Gentry Campbell Hone did an amazing job. She worked for 2 hours to make sure that I understood how to put the extensions in myself and to cut and blend the hair so that it looked SO incredibly natural. I love them :) That night Bryan and I drove up to the Outlet mall to buy him some clothes for engagements. We found him an attractive button up and a pair of nice slacks that would work well with my formal outfit. After that we ran to South Jordan for me to finish up some of my shopping and then we went home!
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| Mmmmmmmm Pie. 3.14 |
Friday, I was able to work all day and then that night Bryan and I hung out, registered at Target!! Once we finished registering we went to Village Inn with Kyle, Mark, Shaylea and Colton for 3.14 (Pie day). Afterwards Bryan and I watched Once Upon a time while I painted my nails and toe nails. We even plucked his eye brows! ha.
Saturday rolled around and I was so tired. I had spent the night before washing and ironing and laying out clothing for the both of us until 3am. Around 11am I got myself ready and out of the apartment to attend Maegan Reginio's bridal shower. The shower was small, but very fun! I then left to go to Sephora to get myself some new make up and a make over lesson. The girl was so kind and helpful. She got my everything I needed to feel beautiful. I received a text message from my photographer Aimee Crandall saying that she thought it would be best to reschedule because the wind was out of control. A good 20mph...... Needless to say, engagement pictures were rescheduled.
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| Happy 1 Year HOME |
That night, ended up being really good for me. Bryan picked me up and we went to Dinner at Applebees. It was nice to be out of my apartment, away from work, and not worrying about finding outfits anymore. Bryan was sweet and it was just wonderful to sit with him. It was fun sitting there and realizing that we are really getting married, we are really getting sealed for time and all eternity. Who knows what I would do without that boy. I sure don't. We finished off the night by doing the rest of our registering at Bed Bath and Beyond.
Wednesday rolled around it was time for our postponed session for Engagements. The day was a bit stresseful, but everything came together! Our photographer asked to move it from 4:30 to 5pm to begin and that made a world of a difference because we were able to get the last things we needed and still make it on time! What a blessing.
As we began driving up American Fork Canyon I realized what a blessing it was that our pictures had been postponed. Much of the snow had melted, there was hardly any wind and it was a gorgeous day. My skin was clear, and Bryan told me I was beautiful. Aimee stepped out of her car and she was just the most darling thing the whole time! She made us feel so comfortable, she let us have fun and I actually did feel beautiful. We laughed lots, we kissed and played around. I have to say, Bryan O'dell is the man for me!
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| Sorry future children, Mommy and Daddy like to kiss :) |
Once we finished, Bryan heated up the car to get my cold little hands and feet to a normal temperature. We drove down the canyon and into Lehi for Rib City. After all, it was March 19th, 2014. My sweet boy has been home from his mission for 1 year! I'm so excited, for all the years to come. It amazes me how fast time flies! Bryan reminded me how I was freaking out this time of year last year. I can't believe how everything worked and is working out. For 2 years I dreamed that my sweet amazing best friend would come home to me and that we would magically feel the same about each other and live happily ever after! I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father placed this man in my life. I'm grateful that he is my very best friend and that he makes me WANT to be better. He will be my favorite forever.
Now that we are at the end of my rant, I have to say that I am incredibly blessed. Everything turned out as perfectly as I had imagined, actually better. I love that you can see how happy we are in these pictures. I love that you can see how much we love each other. I love that he towers over me. I love that he is adorable. Most of all, I love that he is mine. Our sweet photographer posted some sneak peak photos that evening, ENJOY :)
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| So happy, so in love. |
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| My life is PERFECT. HE IS PERFECT :) |
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I arrived at the party and all down the street were cars parked for the shower! I walked in and saw some of my very favorite faces. The place was decorated and cute, the food was darling and everyone was SO sweet. All of the people that were there have been there for me for the last few years, and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father placed them in my life because I know they will be lifelong friends. The list of people whom were in attendance was McCal Takos, Kelsie Yeoman, Katie Berry Tall, Kayla Jacobsen, Lacey Edwards, Angela Thomas, Cassie Marshall, Linsey Pickup, Jessica Atkinson Campbell, Callie Varner, Breana Linton, Meagan Reginio, Sister Diane Bartlome, Sister Debbie Kakola and Sister Janel Frost! How amazing are they?!?! Seriously, all of them are dolls.
Kelsie had set up this milk and cookie bar with darling glass milk jars, platters with cookies, pictures of Bryan and I, balloons ah. SO cute. She also had everyone write little "love notes" for Bryan and I and hung them with clothes line pins over the gifts. Kayla talked to Bryan and asked him a series of questions for me to answer and if I was wrong on any I had to stick a big fat piece of bubble gum in my mouth. I think I did pretty well at that game! My favorite was her question of "When did Bryan know he loved you?"... I just sat there. I had NO idea. I know WHEN he told me he loved me, but I didn't know when he actually knew. His response was "When she made me a better missionary". I'm not gonna lie, I was getting some happy tears there.
