..For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together…

This is Rachel and Kevin. Rachel is Aaron’s sister. Kevin is our Brother in law.

Rachel used to work in the same office I work in, (and of course you remember Aaron and I also work together..) Rachel met Kevin.. wellll.. at work!! Where else would we meet our future husbands?????? He works here too.. Still does…

At the time.. Aaron’s older brother, younger brother, sister (^Rachel), cousin, and me and Kevin all worked at the same place!!! We’re all about family love here.. (did I mention his cousin also met her husband here??? Need a husband?? Come work with us!!!!!)

I actually owe my marriage and family to Rachel. She told me once that when I started working here she tried really hard to not like me! I always thought that was a funny story.. But we quickly became really good friends and did A LOT together.. She stood by me through the horrible (final) break up of my 6 year relationship… She was a friend who would listen to me complain.. and watch me make mistakes.. and pick me up when I fell. She was EXACTLY what I needed at that time. She helped me move out of his house and into my own apartment. She organized her friends and family (some that had never met me) to help. She untangled bags and bags of hangers and helped me organize my closet. I don’t think it’s ever been that clean and neat looking!! When my birthday rolled around she planned a surprise party for me.. (that was almost blown a couple time.. right, Katie????) Her family was amazing!!!!!!! I had never met a family like her’s. I wanted to be over there all of the time. There was just something about their house that sucked me in. I had never felt the feeling I felt in their house before and I slowly began to realize what it was.

When I became more interested in the church she came to EVERY missionary meeting with me. It was such a relief to know I had people that would stand by me during that time. Even when it didn’t sit well with me.. she gave me time and never pushed too hard. She answered the questions she could answer, and asked someone the ones she wasn’t sure of. She even introduced me to a missionary I began writing who I truly believe was the more instrumental in my conversion than anyone. For some reason it was so much easier to ask honest questions to someone I had never met and for him to send me back honest answers without all the padding!! It was great.. anyway….

Shortly after all of this.. I met Aaron. He came to lunch with us once or twice, but I never thought much of it or him. It took a couple months, but things changed. And I realized he was what I needed. Like a stupid teenager (who wasn’t a teenager at all) I abandoned everything for this new found love.. basically leaving Rachel who was my rock, in the dust. Without ever realizing what I was doing…

It took awhile but slowly our relationship was built up again and we learned to balance a little better.. for a little while…

Shortly after that she met Kevin!

Those days we’re so much fun.. I remember how happy she was around him. It was like a whole new Rachel. It was so much fun to watch this love struck girl just emerge! We talked and gushed about their first date and then all the fun things that happened after that…

I remember how happy she was when they decided they wanted to be with each other forever!!!!!

At this time, Aaron knew we would be together forever too.. We talked about styles of rings we wanted.. and wedding ideas. It was a really fun time.. I loved it!! There was nothing better than planning the rest of your life with the men you loved with your best friend who also was going to be your sister!!!!

One cold night Aaron and I were sitting on the couch watching tv when someone knocked at the door. I was already in my pajama’s. I looked out the window, saw Rachel standing there, looking down. She looked upset and my heart sank before I opened the door. (okay.. funny side track story.. before we were married I always slept in a tee shirt and pajama pants. But I have SUPER sensitive skin and the seam on my shirts ALWAYS bugged me. I had to wear seamless tank tops under all my clothes during the day, but at night I always wore my sleep shirts inside out.. I wondered after she left what they thought about me answering the door in a shirt inside out when we were sitting alone in a dark house!!! I wonder if she even noticed.. anyway..)

I swung open the door and she threw her left hand out and had the biggest smile on her face!!!

Kevin had just proposed!! She came right from where he proposed.. (at work! funny huh??) and right over to “our” apartment. (Aaron and I were still just dating.. but it felt like he lived there!) We sat and talked forever about everything. I could hardly sleep that night because I was so excited. We talked about our wedding dates and everyone joked we should have a joint reception held.. where else?? at work!!! (we didn’t by the way!!)

Aaron and I got engaged about a month after that.. (are you still with me? I promise I have a point coming very soooon..)

We both began planning our weddings. Somewhere in there.. we drifted…. Rachel and Kevin got married on August 8th of 2007. Aaron and I had to wait a little longer until our year was up..