A Newlywed Truth

Opening the Vault: Little Known Facts About Mike and Sarah b.v (before vows)







- Mike and I met for the very first time in our shared dining hall in January of our Freshmen year of college at Iowa State. His roommate was good friends with a new friend of mine so we joined forces and enjoyed a meal all together. I thought he was very genuine and kind and he thought I was pretty. Mike knew he liked me but we didn't start officially dating until August of our sophomore year.

- Mike was an Architecture student when I met him. He decided to change his major and spent a year taking a variety of courses before finally deciding he wanted to be an English teacher.

- Our first kiss happened on the front step of my sorority house. cliche but true

- On our first official date, we enjoyed dinner at Panera and proceeded to see Texas Chainsaw Massacre per my request, no joke.

- During our first year of dating we became masters at sneaking cards and gifts into each others houses when the other wasn't there. I got many beautiful bouquets of flowers and Mike received numerous six packs of Rolling Rock Beer (which was a huge luxury and made him look super cool when everyone else was drinking Keystone).

- The first summer we spent apart Mike lived in Ames and I was back home in Minnesota. If I remember correctly, I made the trip approximately eight times in an 11 week period which is absolutely ridiculous to me now but at the time, it was absolutely necessary, duh

- I'm certain I knew I was going to marry Mike on the night of our first kiss. I even have a witness.

- I had a picture of Johnny Depp in my closet in my sorority house and Mike found it one day when he was helping me move some of my stuff. The next time I opened my closet he had cut out Johnny Depp's face and replaced it with his own. He pled the 5th when I asked him about it. I never fixed it.

- We've been together for 8 1/2 years which absolutely blows my mind. It seems some of our friends take this to mean we know something secret about relationships which also blows my mind. The truth is, most of the time we're completely clueless. I will say though, upon reflection, our strength seems to be figuring things out as we go. I do find comfort in knowing we are surrounded by wonderful people who are always there for us when needed. I refer now to two quotes left by very close family friends in the guest book at our wedding that seem to sum things up pretty well:  "Remember, marriage isn't about learning to weather the storm, it's about learning to dance in the rain" and "Never argue with clothes on." Sounds simple enough, right? ;)