5 Years & The Fourth

5 years ago I sat at the dinner table barely eating because I was suddenly so nervous to go on a date with Jaden Richins. My best friend Morgann had been talking him up for almost a year while I was on my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She persistently told me when I was ready she'd set me up on a date with Jaden who was long-time friends with her husband Elijah and who she had a class with at Weber State and just knew we'd hit it off. At first Morgann and Elijah were going to pick me up and meet Jaden at Davis Park Golf Course where we'd go to the driving range and then go get snow-cones down at Bahama Bucks in Bountiful. If things were going well we would head up and watch the pre Fourth of July firework show at Eaglewood Golf Course. Jaden liked everything about this plan except the meeting us at the golf course he told Morgann he wanted to pick me up at my house like a gentleman. I'll be honest I was impressed by that. And suddenly so so nervous. The doorbell rang and I sprang up to get the door, I don't remember this but apparently I opened the door and said, "Jaden." Not a question but a statement. From my point of view he stepped over the threshold of our house with more confidence than any other boy had ever had when picking me up for a date. After meeting both of my parents we headed for the car. Unbeknownst to me my dad said to my mom, "I kinda like that guy." It was at that moment my mom thought "Oh no, we're done for." 

And the rest is history. The date went well that none of us wanted it to end, after the driving range, snow cones and Eaglewood fireworks Jaden and Elijah went down memory lane talking about making cookies at Jaden's house and soon we found ourselves back at the Richins home making chocolate chip cookies at midnight. As soon as I walked in the door and I saw the pictures of Jaden's family I thought to myself "Wow I look like them, I could fit into this family." I was immediately horrified and thought I was going crazy for thinking something like that. As we entered the kitchen Jaden's dad was doing dishes and wiping down the counter (which I later learned is where you'll often find him) and after introducing myself I remember thinking "I think I could definitely get along with this guy" (thankfully that has also been true). 

And now here we are 5 years later, I did end up becoming part of the Richins family and have felt welcomed and like I belong there from day one. I am forever grateful for good friends who set Jaden and I up. Being home makes me happy that we can recreate our first date every year by going to Eaglewood fireworks. 

And that's what we did. Bryn invited us over to her parents to make homemade pizzas and they were amazingggg. I tried to recreate the to die for pepperoni and hot honey drizzle pizza we fell in love with in Washington DC and I must say it was pretty dang close! If I haven't mentioned it before a honey drizzle on pizza is a game changer. 

After cleaning up we packed in cars and headed for Bountiful to go to the fireworks. It was a fun night with friends even if we missed the advice to take a shortcut on the way home and got back 30 minutes after the other car got home. 

The next morning we got up and got ready for the Kaysville parade with our niece and nephews. I have only been to the parade a handful of times in the 14 years since we initially moved here. I will say it is a lot more fun when you go with kids and get to experience their excitement and awe at the candy, dancers, horses and fire trucks. We also lucked out big time that it was really overcast and never really got very hot which is so rare. 

On our way back to the car after the parade Casey and Amanda had gone ahead and Jaden and I were walking with Sloane and Dempsey I heard someone yell from across the field "McKenzie Hall! Are those your children?!" It was the mom of one of Bridger's old friends and a family I used to babysit who was horrified that it had been so long since she had seen me. I told her Sloane and Dempsey are pretty stinking cute I'd claim them for sure but no kids for us yet. 

We went home and swam until the rain and wind kicked up and it got almost chilly. We took the kids to feed Hondo the horse who lives in the pasture behind our house. And then everyone packed up and parted ways to meet up for a barbeque later. 

The rest of the week was busied up with work and then Friday evening was my friend Casie from the U's wedding. She met and dated her now husband while Jaden and I were living in Pittsburgh. It was so good to see her and how happy she is. I was also in awe that she made her own bouquet. She worked at a flower shop in high school and did a stunning job. 

Peaches

• Reminiscing on our first date
• Eaglewood fireworks with friends
• Parade with Megan and Amanda's families
• Swimming with Sloane and Dempsey
• Barbecue at Jeff and Amy's
• We got our family pictures back and they turned out so good. Love those snow peaked mountains and beautiful family!

• Passed the Kaysville Bible Church which made me smile. When we first moved here we passed it and I remember looking out the window and saying "huh they have a Kaysville Bible Church" my dad bless his heart with his failing hearing from years of shooting guns and attending way too many rock concerts as a teen said, "what they're having a cupcake sale?" It's become a family joke every time we pass it we say "they're having a cupcake sale?"

• Jaden was a good sport after Casie's wedding came to Smith's with me to grocery shop

• Looking through Amy's yearbook and seeing parents of my friends growing up. 

Pits 

• Rainy weather, good for the plants and trees but not great for days off by the pool