Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Shmoopy time, anyone?

I fully admit two things. 1) I listen to some country music. Really, I listen to whatever catches my ear, I'm not picky. 2) I have a shmoopy streak. What's shmoopy? Shmoopy is cheesy love songs, over the top romantic gestures, PDA, all that stuff we all gag at publicly but secretly kinda wish it was us.
The problem is, CJ is not shmoopy. He just doesn't thought-process like that, which is so fine. It's obviously not a deal breaker for me, I mean, I obviously married him anyways. And he does have his moments, like when I turned 20. He'd just left on his mission (as in *just* left, 13 days earlier) and I was feeling so sorry for myself. I walked into the house and there, sitting on the kitchen table, was a vase filled with 20 beautiful, perfect white roses. He'd ordered them before he left, and I had no idea.
We're a great example of how opposites attract. I love hanging out with other people and doing things as a group, CJ could be alone in the mountains for weeks and be perfectly fine. He loves sports, I didn't until we got married. CJ falls asleep early, I'm a nightowl. I love working with computers and programs, CJ... well, he's not good at it. He loves horror movies, I do NOT. Point taken? But we work, dunno why.
We didn't have an easy courtship for a bunch of factors that I won't get all long winded about plus I don't need them floating around the internet. We started dating almost 10 years ago, before his mission. I knew two months in to dating him that I wanted to marry him, but I really didn't think it would happen. How often do people date before missions and swear they're going to get married when the guy comes back, and they don't, for whatever reason? Ask Jesse or Mandy, I was sure it would never work out. I moved back to Canada, he went on his mission, I taught at a summer camp in Maine, I moved to Scotland... life happened. I even stopped writing him, for a variety of reasons that had nothing to do with him. He came back from his mission, and I was playing on the internet with some friends while in Scotland, and found him listed at BYU. Shock to the system. I ended up writing him a letter apologizing for how things happened, and I felt at peace with whatever happened. And then I got a phone call, asking me if I knew who it was. Like I could forget his voice. We long-distance dated until I flew home in March and he came to visit me at my parents house, and it was all over. We got engaged in May and married in August. Haven't looked back since.
Back to my confessions. I was listening to the top music songs on iTunes and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift came up. It's at the bottom of my music playlist in my sidebar, to the left. I fell in love with it. I love the lyrics, it makes me think of some of the things that CJ and I have been through in the times we've been together, some of them I've never told most people about. Especially the line "this love is difficult, but it's real. don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess. it's a love story, baby just say yes". I just love well written songs, no matter what genre they fit into. Anyways, I finally opened up my PhotoShop and did a page about it, I don't think I've ever scrapped about CJ and how I feel. It usually has to do with the kids and him. Excuse me if it's too shmoopy for you, trust me, I could have gotten even more shmoopy on you.

So here's to my unRomeo. I'm so very glad I said yes.

10 comments:

MaryBeth said...

Holy shiz. I had no idea you were so freaking tender. When are we gonna get together and scrapbook? I'm free this morning...

Mary Lynn Evans said...

I love your blog and your scrapbook pages! Very cool!

Amber said...

awesome go Lori. You guys are a great couple and we miss you greatly

mandy said...

That is so funny to remember back to when you wer dating. Man! I still remember you and CJ calling me at my apartment(and CJ was the one on the phone) and did the whole "do you know who this is?" tihng to me and told me that you two were getting married. Good times!! WE miss you tons!!

mandy said...

I would also like to confirm that Laurie is a night owl!! HAvinig been her roomatte and friend for a long time now. Laurie, as much as you are not really an open lovey dovey(or whatever you said) you have your own ways!!! And i love that you know me better than most, ans sometimes even myself!!

trublubyu said...

this is a sweet post and tribute to your hubs.

thanks for stopping by my blog. i love new friends. come again anytime!

DeAna said...

CJ must have gotten that "do you know who this is?" from his dad. Uncle Newell did the same. Anyway, it's good to know that you love CJ, because I know why I love him as I've watched him grow up, but your perspective is new and refreshing. Tell him hello. Your posts rock although this one was more soft rock. ;)

Anonymous said...

aww, that is sweet:)

Staci Taylor said...

Your UNromeo - I love it! I have one of those, too.... sigh. Gorgeous page, girl! You are so talented (even if you did go digital on me ;-)!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful--you write so well, sweetie.

I remember when you first mentioned CJ in your usual off-handed "don't ask me anything about what I'm saying but just answer my questions" way :) And I loved him from the first time I saw him huddled on the floor at the hospital clutching Cookie Monster.

What I admire about you two is your intense loyalty to each other. And the fact that you are awesome parents. Wonder where you got that from?

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