Dating, Dating, and More Dating

I sadly do not remember the details or even what we did for our 3rd date. I do however know that we did a lot of fun activities. Some of the activities that we did while dating include the following: going mini-golfing, going to movies, going to the Jospeh Smith movie, going out to dinner, going to temple square, decorating a gingerbread house, hanging out at Kyle's apartment, hanging out at my parent's house, attending a marriage prep class(every Thurs. night), and sadly at times even doing homework.

While Kyle and I were dating, we were both in school. I was also working full time, so life was defiantly busy. Sadly I do not have a ton of pictures from when we were dating, but here are a few that I could find.

Hanging out at my parent's house

Temple Square

Doing Homework Together

Haning out at his parent's house.

Decorating a gingerbread house

Disneyland

Disneyland

Kyle and I dated from October 3rd, 2006 until February 23rd, 2007 when we became engaged (that story is coming). While we were dating our relationship defiantly had its ups and downs. There was even a time that I broke it off, because I needed some space, but then after only 3 days, I decided that I no longer needed a break. Something kind of interesting was that Kyle and I had more fights, arguments, and disagreements while we were dating and engaged than we have ever had being married. I am honestly surprised that we actually got married, but I am sure glad that we did becasue I love being married to my best friend.

Our Second Date

For our second date, Kyle and I went to the Battle of the Bands down at BYU. When he came and picked me up, I was impressed because the car he was driving was a fully decked out Toyota Camry. I commented on how nice the car was and asked if it was his? He hesitated a little, but then stated that it was actually his Dad's car and that his parents had his car. I was impressed that he did not lie about it to try and impressed me, because honesty was a quality that I really wanted in my husband.

We then drove down to BYU. We got there a little bit early and while we were waiting for the concert to start, we somehow got on the subject of observing and analyzing people. I explained that it is really interesting to just sit and watch people, not judge people, but just watch others around you. I explained that you can really tell a lot about a person within a minute or two by just watching their body language and how they interact with their surroundings.

The concert then started, so we headed into the gym. There were a few really good bands, but most of the bands were just okay. During the concert, Kyle put his arm around me. Naturally, I put my arm around him, but after a minute or two I pulled away. I was not quite sure I was ready to head down the relationship road, since I had just ended a relationship a mouth before we started dating.


After the concert, we headed to IHOP to get something to eat. On the way over to the restaurant, Kyle asked "What have you observed about me, since you love to analyze people?" I then named several different traits, characteristics, and things that I had noticed about Kyle. It was awesome, because everything I stated was absolutely correct and spot on. It was during this conversation and at dinner that I realized that Kyle was already falling in love with me. I then made it interesting and turned the tables and asked him "So what have you observed or analyzed about me?" He had no idea what to say and anything he did say was pretty much wrong. It was during this conversation that I learned that he thought I was going to be a stuck up, spoiled, and snooty girl, because I lived in Alpine. I defiantly proved him wrong.

After dinner we then went back to his apartment. He then pulled out his guitar and played me a song. I even got him to sing to me, which he has not really done since that night, but I guess once is better than never. In fact, I am still waiting for the song he is supposedly writing for me that I was supposed to hear on our wedding night, but that is a whole another story.

Our First Date

Before I get into the details of our first date, my husband would totally kill me if I do not share the events that took place before our first date. So, before our first date, Kyle did call me and ask me if I wanted to go to Saturday morning General Conference session with him. Honestly, I thought that it was a little weird that he was even calling me, because he already had a girlfriend, not to mention I did not even give him my cell phone number. I told him that I was already going to that session with some other people and that I would not be able to go with him, which was the truth. I did invite him to come with me in the group of people I was going with, but after I found out that the guy that had asked me had actually asked me on date, Kyle decided to go with another girl.


A couple days later, I got a phone call around 3 or 4 PM asking if I wanted to go on a date later that night. The ironic thing was, I had already turned down two other dates for that night, but for some reason I felt a strong feeling to go on this date. However, before I told him "yes, I will go on the date" I made sure that he knew I do not date guys that already have a girlfriend. He reassured me that he did not have girlfriend and was not even dating anybody seriously.


Honestly, to this day I am not exactly sure why I told him yes, especially since I was trying to get my CNA certification in 2 weeks and I had classes Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM in Salt Lake City. An interesting side note, it was not until after we had been dating for a couple months that I found out that two of Kyle's roommates had to actually wrestle him to the floor and put him in a head lock, before he actually called me to ask me out for our first date.


Now that all those details are out of the way, I can now talk about our first date. Our first date took place on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006. It was a group date with 3 other couples. Kyle came and picked me up from my parent's house around 6:30 PM. He came in and met both my parents and then we were on our way. We carpooled with his roommate and another girl that I actually went to high school with. The car ride was very interesting, because Kyle and I were both crammed in the backseat of a little two door car and the music was so load, that there was absolutely no way to talk. So to help break up some of the awkwardness of a first date, I decided to make the best of the situation by moving/dancing to the music. I tried to get Kyle to join in on the fun, but instead he just smiled and watched, however we did share a few good laughs on the way down to the restaurant.


For dinner, we went to TGI Friday’s in Provo Utah. We met two other couple at the restaurant. We then were seated and while waiting for our dinner to arrive, we somehow ended up with cherries and everyone was trying to tie a knot in the cherry stem in their mouth. It was quite entertaining, but I was never able to actually get a knot in any of the cherry stems I tried. Kyle on the other hand was successful on his 2nd or 3rd attempt.

The conversion then switched to recent movies that were out in the theaters. Kyle's actual roommate, mission buddy, and really good friend, Darrren Cook, then bought up the movie Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and how awesome of a movie it was. I do not know how many of you have seen this movie, but unfortunately I was dragged to this movie on a date. To this day, I am still mad at myself for not walking out that movie, because it was seriously one of the worst movies I have ever seen.  Anyways, Darren kept going on and on about how awesome this movie was and making jokes about.  It was not long until I had heard enough and I started a pretty good debate with his roommate about how horrible this movie truly was and how it totally goes against the standards of the LDS church.  I even surprised myself, because I actually was able to win the debate and made Darren speechless several times.  Normally, especially on a first date, I am quite shy and keep my opinions to myself, but for some reason, I went into extreme defense mode and stood my ground.  This debate truly started a war with Darren that continued the entire time that my husband and I were dating. 

After eating dinner, I needed to head home to meet my curfew and I had class at 8 AM up in Salt Lake City.  Darren was still mad about losing the debate and kept making comments about how I was not allowed in his car.  In fact he even pulled over on the way home and threatened to throw me out.  It was awesome, because even though it was our first date, Kyle stood up for me against his friend (which is the main reason I choose to go on a second date.)  The extremely load music continued the entire way home, not to mention reckless driving at times. Scary!!



Once we arrived back at my parent’s house, Kyle walked me up to the door.  We gave each other a hug and then I went inside. It was honestly, one of the most awkward dates that I had been on in a while.  I was actually glad it was over, because I felt totally embarrassed about the debate that had taken place.  I truly thought that I had completely ruined the night, but it was only a couple days later that my phone rang and Kyle asked me out on another date.    

How My Husband and I First Met (Cont.)

Since I am sure that everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to find out what happens next in the Birrell Love Story, I will continue. :) However, I do have to warn you that my husband and I have slightly different versions of what exactly happened the first night that we met. Since this is my blog and I am a female (girls naturally pay more attention to details anyway), I am going to share my version - the correct one anyways. :)

After making eye contact across the room, my friend and I sat in the row of chairs directly in front of Kyle and his roommate. I then made some small talk with Kyle, but he seemed very shy and nervous. I then went on my way and continued to introduce myself to other guys in the ward. While getting to know others, I met several of Kyle's roommates (he had 5 other roommates). It was one of his roommate's birthday and so later on that evening my friend and I were both invited to his roommate’s parents’ house for cake and ice cream.

My friend and I decided to go to the party. When Kyle showed up, I was in the middle of talking to other people, so I figured I would talk to him a little later. However, while I was socializing with others I noticed that another girl was hovering around him and practically would not leave his side. In case you do not know me very well, I do not play games. If a guy has a girlfriend then they are off limits. Before I knew it, Kyle had left and the girl that was constantly around him was also gone. I brushed it off and continued to have a good time socializing with others.

Later on that night, one of his roommates invited my friend and me over to play games or watch a movie. Well it turns out that when we showed up to the apartment, Kyle was cuddling on the couch with the same girl that was constantly around him earlier that night. For me this was a pretty clear single that he was taken and off limits. However, the strange thing was that as soon as I walked in, Kyle very quickly moved his arm and stood up from the couch, almost trying to cover up the fact he was just cuddling with another girl.

Throughout the night, Kyle constantly was trying to come up and talk to me, but I just continued to brush him off, because I figured he was already in a relationship. Not to mention that his little girlfriend (Kyle states that they were just friends) was constantly at his side. It was kind of funny to watch him try so hard, but he was already taken.

Well that is the complete, but complex story of how my husband and I first met.

How My Husband and I First Met

Kyle and I first met in September of 2006 at a singles ward down at Utah Valley University (previously known as UVSC).  I know what your thinking, a singles ward really?? Honesty, I never thought that single wards actually worked, but for my husband and I, that was the beginning of our journey together.  In fact, both my husband's parents and grandparents also met at a singles ward, so I guess we are just carrying on the family tradition.

At the time, I was still living in Alpine (my hometown) and Kyle was living in an apartment down on campus.  After exhausting my options at my own singles ward, one of my close friends had convinced me to attend her singles ward.  Since I had gotten an associate degree from UVU recently, I figured why not try it out.  As soon as I went into Sunday School (it was the first meeting),  my husband and I locked eyes from across the room.  I thought to myself "wow, he is cute."  Well it turns out that my friend (the one who had convinced me to come to church with her) had just been on a date with his roommate.  I later found out the my husband told his roommate "wow, that girl is hot."  So you would think that the story would end there, but heavens no, this is just the beginning. 

To be continued....

My Goal!!

Kyle and I are excepting a little girl at the beginning of November.  We are SOOOOO EXCITED!!!  Since I have always wanted to start a blog, I figured that I better start now instead of trying to start it once the baby comes.  However, I have been telling my husband that I was going to start a blog 2 or 3 years ago, so I could keep track of all our memories.  Needless to say, I am about 4 and 1/2 years behind and have a lot of catching up to do. 

MY GOAL IS TO TRY AND BLOG AND POST PICTURES OF ALL THE MAJOR EVENTS, VACATIONS, AND EXCITING STUFF FOR THE LAST 4 1/2 YEARS, BEFORE OUR LITTLE GIRL ARRIVES!!! It is going to be a lot of work, but I think that I can do it!!!

THE VERY FIRST POSTING!!!

I am finally giving into the blogging world!!!! Honestly, I have been wanting to start a blog for a couple years now, but was never sure how to go about it.  Well here goes nothing!!! Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.