Third Anniversary

Best. Decision. Ever.

Happy 3rd, baby!  I'd do it again, you know.  

Three Years

Three years ago today, Wes asked me to marry him (well, technically, "merry" him.)  For those who've never heard our story and for those longing to relive it, here it is. 

Wes wanted to ask my father for his blessing, so he sought to track him down while I was sleeping on the morning of February 16, 2008. He found the Colonel rappelling from the roof chipping off giant sheets of ice, so Wes climbed up a precarious ladder and yelled out for him. He risked death scaling the icy roof to find my dad so that they could have their man-to-man talk. After nearly causing a heart-attack, Wes told my dad, "I wanted to talk to you up here so that you wouldn't have access to your shot-guns..." Steve replied "Well, I have a couple of shovels, but I don't need them." I was thrilled that my father didn't threaten Wes into submission. 



That afternoon, Wes took me snowshoeing in the Glenwild Preserve with his sister, Tracie. (I thought it was odd that she came without her husband.) We didn't trek very far when we came upon a magnificent outlook of Park City. Naturally, we had to stop and take advantage of the perfect photo-op. I grew nervous as I noticed Wes starting to act a little strange. After we took a few pictures, Wes told me to make sure the pictures came out. He followed me over to Tracie, and as I was skimming through the pictures, I came across one where he was holding a sign that said "Merry me?!?" 



I didn't notice until I was looking at the pictures we had taken that he had been holding a sign and even then failed to connect the events. It took me an awkward moment to realize that he was proposing and when I finally looked at him, he was already on his knee holding the ring. I reacted with some combination of shaking/crying/laughing as he said the following, "Rachael Rawson, I love you- I always have. Will you marry me?" (all in a Scottish accent...Braveheart style.)  I was overcome for a moment and then nodded, hugged him and said "If you'll marry me back." 

We tripped over each other’s snow shoes and fell to the ground laughing, enjoying one of the happiest moments of both of their lives.

That evening, we celebrated our new engagement at Wes's little nephew, Jesse's birthday party.  The vibe I picked up at the party was "FINALLY!"  Next, we headed over to my parent's house to spread the news and get ready for the "Bishop's Ball."  Neither of us stopped smiling for several days (until the wedding planning started...)

It was a glorious day.  Thanks for asking, Weston!  

One Year (Plus a Few Months)

Wes and I celebrated our 1st anniversary this past June 14, 2009. I meant to write about it back in June, but I think I got distracted by a little guy named Liam... Everything they say about the first year of marriage is true. It can be difficult at times learning to adapt to someone else's living habits (yes, Wes leaves the lid up) and learning to mold two very different backgrounds into one, seamless, independent household. BUT, it is also wonderful. It really is an extension of the honeymoon.

And while I've often felt like I've been living some surreal life and at times "playing house," I've also appreciated every day that I get to spend hanging out with my best friend. I often wonder what I would be doing if I hadn't have married Wes. Grad school? Working for Glenn Beck? Beach bum? Honestly, there is nowhere I'd rather be. Every day, I find something new that I absolutely love about my husband that I didn't realize the day before and it just confirms that I made the right decision a year ago. I feel so lucky. Every day.

Although it took him a few decades to get here, I think Wes was made for marriage. He's just good at it, and he helps me be better at it. We want to be good for each other. Although I could probably come up with a million reasons why I love Wes, I'll share just a few:

1. He makes me laugh hysterically nearly every single day.
2. He is constantly trying to improve himself in every way a person can.
3. He thinks I'm most beautiful when I think I'm the least and tells me frequently.
4. He is encouraging and supportive of my interests and passions.
5. He likes to play and will forever be a kid at heart.
6. He has an incredible work ethic and hopes to teach the value of work to our children.
7. He sings with me, watches chick-flicks and plays Tetris endlessly with me just because he loves me.
8. He is open-minded and a critical thinker. We could talk politics for days on end.
9. He brings me breakfast in bed from time to time for no good reason.
10. He is quick to put others' needs ahead of his own (especially during my pregnancy).
11. He's really hot!

I love you, baby and I'm so happy we found each other!

Wes surprised me with a romantic dinner at The Roof in Salt Lake. I don't think I've ever eaten more in one sitting in my life. Check out the view!

After thawing out the top layer of our wedding cake, we reenacted our wedding day cake fight.

This time, Wes won.

Lydia cooked us a fabulous anniversary meal! What a great roomie.

June 14, 2008