Castle Mom and Dad

29 years and still counting. It’s our anniversary, our 29th year of marriage. Kim and I have been married 29 years. 29 is one year shy of 30. 29 is a long long time. We have been together longer than we were ever single.

Kim and I meet at the old Mckay Dee Hosp. He was an OR transporter and I was an LPN in the float-pool. He had been home from his mission a few months and was actually dating one of my sorority sisters. I had seen him around a lot coming and going with pt.s. I had also dated the other 2 transporters in the recovery room, but not Kim. Then my friend, the girl he was dating, was to leave for her mission and my room-mate and I went to her farewell and Kim sat by us. I remember he had a very nice singing voice. I was attracted to him right away. He was tall with dark hair was a return missionary who was going to college, that is really all I knew about him. It was great if I got to see him when I was working. I remember he sat by a friend and I in the cafeteria one day for lunch and another day we talked while looking at the babies through the viewing window.

Then I needed a hernia surgery. I had asked the surgeon if I could have the surgery under a local anesthetic because I didn’t want to be put to sleep. But the real reason was I had dated 2 of the OR transportor as I memtioned and there was no way I was going to be naked anywhere near them. The Dr. agreed and I had the surgery. Kim was the one who took me to surgery. Before I went down I had actually pointed him out to my mom and said isn’t he cute?

Well everything went well and after 2 weeks I returned to work and was on the Peds. unit. There was Kim. He started following me around after lunch as I did some kids vital signs. I had a cute little boy who asked me to please not take his temperature in his bottom so I got the oral probe and made him promise to hold his lips closed, after I took the temp. he leaned up said thanks and kissed my cheek. Kim was sitting in a chair in the room and said something like “I want one of those” so I leaned down and kissed him, half lip, half face. I am not sure what I was thinking or what made me do it. I had never done anything like that before. I couldn’t believe how brave and crazy I was. He followed me for a few more rooms and I was really feeling stupid for the Kiss thing, and then he finally asked me out. To a wedding reception of a friend. I told him I couldn’t go because my singles ward was going to our Bishops cabin and having a retreat on Fri. night. He just said OK. I then had a brave moment again and invited him to come along.

Who does that? Takes a first date on an overnighter, someone she doesn’t even know yet? To spend 12 hrs or more with, wake up with, morning breath and morning hair on a first date! I must have been nuts. So we went to the reception and then to my activity. When I went to introduce him to my Bishop I didn’t even know his last name. I actually was introducing him and said “what’s you last name”? I am sure my bishop thought I was crazy.

Well we seemed to enjoy each others company very much and he was a good kisser, but never did like PDA (public display of affection). I learned very quickly that he had a strong testimony and loved the Lord, he had plans for his future and was a hard worker. We were together everyday after that, and after a few short weeks, yes, a few short weeks he asked me to marry him. I said yes.

Most people, including Mom were very surprised and a little upset and many never thought it would last due to the short courtship. I remember feeling so disappointed after telling mom, on the phone, that I was engaged, because she didn’t get as excited as I was. I didn’t take into account at the time that she had never meet Kim, knew nothing about him, I was no where near home and what could I be thinking? That very next Sunday I took him home to meet the family and the home ward and I believe everyone liked him right away and I know they love him now.

We married 5 months later in the Salt Lake Temple.

We have had some rocky times and struggled with most of the normal trials of life, but we have, so far, stuck together and have grown closer together. We have 4 great kids, 2 with good spouses. We love each other and would do anything for the other person. I am so blessed to have such a great man as my husband and often as he teaches on Sunday I look at him and know I am truly blessed to be his wife, of 29 years.