What an adventure this month has been! We have seen it all! The week after David proposed, the craziness began. On Friday, the 16th of April, Denae bid farewell to her cute (and not so cute) 6th graders at Sunset View Elementary School. She survived student teaching! That afternoon, David drove her straight to the health center for her to perform a small surgery. He then got to spend the rest of the evening taking care of his very high fiancée who remembers very little of this particular experience. :) David headed back up to Rexburg for our last Provo/Rexburg separation and started his first week of spring semester. The week before he had taken all of his final exams for the semester. He ended up with an impressive row of straight A's even during the craziness of a long-distance courtship! Denae is so proud of him! While showing off his mad academic skills, Denae packed her whole apartment...which is no small feat as you know if you've been friend's with Denae for more than five minutes. Never fear, it only required a suburban and an entire trailer to load her up. :) Denae and Deonna went wedding dress shopping...together...and both found dresses! Grandma and Cathy braved the dubious task of serving as our official counselors, and Cathy went a step further as my faithful dress-lacer/fluffer. We found mom's dress first at a shop in Provo. She looked just beautiful. Denae's dress search took a little longer, but not much. She knew it when she saw it. A picture will be added later so as to not ruin the surprise for David. Each night of the week we had a fun dinner or reception to attend. We met the rest of the Telford clan, wished David's cousin and his new cute wife a happy life and enjoyed some Olive Garden with Mason and Dad. Denae's graduation from BYU flew by like a blur, but she did it without tripping in her white heels that matched the white stole mom couldn't figure out. At BYU there is a longstanding tradition to wear a white stole of gratitude during all of the pomp and circumstance and to finally give it to the person who has meant the most and provided the most support throughout your university experience; the person you are most grateful for helping you through college. Naturally, mom was the deserving winner. I never would have been able to make it without you, Mom! In between commencement and convocation, we loaded up the trailer and prepared for the journey North. Almost right after convocation was over, our caravan made its way up to Rexburg. We stopped at Shannon's house for a few good-byes and a bite to eat. My stand-in Lindon family made my Utah life possible as well. They helped me more than they will ever know during my BYU years. We ended up arriving in Rexburg as the sun was setting and unloaded quickly with lots of help. Saturday morning we got up early for mom's big day only to find zero hot water in the hotel because of a broken gas line! While inconvenient and typical for a wedding day morning, the hotel was helpful enough and paid for us to go shower at another hotel and load up on a hot breakfast buffet at a local restaurant. Denae started acting as mom's personal secretary as everyone in the city decided to call her for details about the day. We all made it to the temple on time however and were privileged to experience one of the most magical moments this earth has to offer. Denae felt especially grateful and honored to be able to act as her mother's escort and spend a few precious minutes with her in the bride's room. The sealing was wonderful and we are so excited to add Jim and Jimmy to our family. I couldn't ask for a better man to love and take care of my mom. With a cute luncheon, we sent mom and Jim off and finally went home to take a breath and a nap! Denae started teaching piano lessons the next week and the official job search began. We are so grateful to have survived the four month student-teaching semester and to finally live in the same state! We are so grateful for all of our wonderful family and friends that not only make our lives and adventures possible, but so much more fun and joyful.
