I met my husband when I was 18 years old. I had just
graduated high school and moved to college. We met at a meeting for the track
team that we were both a part of. He had just returned home from his mission,
and though we became instant friends we didn’t start dating until a few months
later. From the time of our first date, it was only 3 months until we were
engaged. A few weeks after we started dating, I knew I had very strong feelings
for him and so I started praying constantly to know whether he was someone I
could be with forever, as well as fasting and attending the temple looking for
guidance from my Heavenly Father. I remember the moment I knew. We were in the
living room of my apartment watching a movie. I was sitting with my head lying
on his shoulder and I had such an overwhelming feeling come over me that he
could and would make me happy forever. It was such a strong, warm and
comforting feeling and I will never forget it. When he proposed a couple of
months later, I didn’t even hesitate for a second to tell him yes.
We were engaged for 5 months. About a month before the
wedding I was preparing to go through the temple and finishing up some last
minute wedding details. I went for a weekend with some friends to another
friend’s wedding, and during that weekend that I was away I began to feel so
dark and alone. I can’t explain the way I felt. I still don’t fully understand
it. I felt physically sick and couldn’t shake a dark feeling inside of me. I
couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t find comfort. A good friend there gave me a priesthood blessing
of peace and comfort, and following the blessing I had a very distinct
impression that what I had been feeling was Satan’s influence. I am confident
that he was very aware of the choice that I was making to go receive the blessings
of the temple and to be sealed to a wonderful man for eternity. And he was
doing everything in his power to stop me from doing it. With the power of the
priesthood, I was able to overcome those feelings and proceed with my temple marriage.
The day I was sealed in the temple is one of the most sacred
and special memories that I hold. Though the day was a blur, I will never
forget the feelings of peace, joy and comfort that I felt as I was surrounded
by my family and the man I love, being sealed to him for time and all eternity.
Marriage is not easy. Don’t let anyone fool you into
thinking it is. I’m hopelessly in love with my dear husband. He is a wonderful
husband, the best father, a hard worker with a sense of humor. He’s everything
that was ever important to me and is important to me now. And it’s still hard
to be married to him. We disagree about things on occasion, and when those
times come I am so grateful that we have similar goals and priorities in our
lives in relation to the gospel. At the end of the day, we both know that our
home and marriage is centered on Christ. When we remember that, it becomes
easier (or sometimes just less important) to see eye-to-eye.
A few years into our marriage, my husband and I encountered
a major obstacle in our desire to start a family. We struggled through years of
infertility, and I mean we really STRUGGLED. During those times, we relied
heavily on the knowledge that we would be together forever because we were
sealed in the temple. Additionally, the temple promises that we would one day
have children (whether in this life or the life to come) brought us some
comfort. Now we have 3 young, healthy and happy children and our lives are so
different from what they were during those times of extreme trial. And still,
our temple marriage is of utmost important to me. Seeing these tiny, beautiful
little ones run around, I can’t imagine not having them with me forever.
Because of my temple marriage, I don’t have to worry about that. The family is indeed
of God, and I am so grateful that I will have mine with me forever.
Who you marry and where you choose to marry him will have a
huge impact on your life. It may well be the biggest decision you will ever
make. That’s not to scare you, but rather to encourage you to use dating as a
time to find someone who makes your heart sing. Someone who lives the same kind
of life that you live. Who wants the same things as you want. Don’t settle.
Please, please, please don’t settle. Marry the right person in the right place
and you will be well on your way to a joy-filled life.
Much love and best wishes for happiness!