Chapter 7 - The end of the beginning:

Well, Kathryn said she wanted me to finish our love story. What does that mean? It doesn't just finish! I don't understand this stuff. I am not sure if this will be accepted as a true chapter, but I will try. Kathryn is getting her hair cut. I am a very cheap person. I have cut my own hair since I was 15 and I even cut Kathryn's once - she said I couldn't do it any more. It saves money. Doesn't that make sense?

Anyway, back to the story. While Kathryn is back home dating Mr. "M". I am at school. I tell you about me being cheap just so you will know how much I was in love. I drove a 3 speed work truck back and forth from her house to my school, sometimes 3 round trips in a weekend before Mr M. came home (My bishop told me to make sure I was going to my own ward - I used to be so obedient). I even bought a cell phone and would use all the minutes and then use my forwarding minutes to call Kathryn. I bought a long distance calling plan on top of that. This was true love.

I did tell her she could date this guy, I knew I had to, but I did not like it. It was not my personality to be so humble and patient. That is what I tried to do though. There was something about Kathryn that I couldn't let go. Sometimes I would struggle with being frustrated at her for dating Mr. M., even though it was only two weeks, it felt like a lot more. I was tempted to walk away - I guess so it wouldn't hurt.

I am not sure I have ever been attractive to anyone before, but it seemed like my unavailability, made me more attractive to at least one girl in my ward. And she let me know. I didn't quite understand it. Even though it is nice to have an admirer - that made it even worse because it made me wonder why Kathryn needed to date Mr. M - couldn't she just see whatever this other girl saw in me?

Needless to say, we made it through that time. Kathryn dumped "M". I use the word dump, but I think she was much kinder than that. Although I never wanted to admit it, when I met this guy later, I was surprised to find that he was a very good and kind person. When I told my dad this he said, "What did you expect from Kathryn?" That makes sense. If I think she is so wonderful, wouldn't her boyfriend from high school be a good person? But you have to understand, this was survival at the time. You don't have the mindset to want to hug your competition.

In the end, Kathryn chose me. This fact was enough to forget everything else. I was the luckiest person alive. And even though I resisted her needing to figure things out, I knew she needed to not be wondering in the back of her mind when I lost my hair and got fat - "why didn't I give Mr. M a chance?" She may still think that, but that's too bad. Here I am!

Kathryn and I are going on our tenth year of marriage. We have our struggles like any couple does, but I am so grateful to her. She is a great mom to our kids and a perfect friend to me. She helps me want to change and be better. She supports me when I need strength. I am so grateful we are married and sharing this crazy existence called life together.

So there you have it. The end.



Thanks for reading.