Time to cue the appropriate music
I preface this with a heartfelt thanks to the village of women that made this possible. You know who you are and what you sat through as wing women. Bless you.
Our meeting was nothing grand. He was shy ( "observing the crowd" as he likes to put it) and I was loud and obnoxious and entertaining the small group that had gathered to go up the canyon for a bonfire. Carpooling ensued and he chose to ride in my car. I'm pretty sure that only happened because I still had my bike helmet, camelbak, and gloves in my back seat. Our conversation didn't peak his interest as much as the forgotten hatchet under his feet from a camping trip a couple weeks earlier. He largely ignored me after getting out of my car until he came out of no where to ask if I wanted to see a mountain biking trail with him. We got in a debate about whether he was going to ax murder me or not on that walk. Apparently people would notice me missing so it wouldn't have been ideal. Any one who knows Jason knows his intentions were purely to show me that trail. I was just confused. I didn't see him after that for the rest of the event. On the ride home he invited everyone in the car to watch The Sandlot at his place. (Cue wing woman #1) and to be perfectly honest it was actually a lot of fun. The giggling and tickling between Jason and I made us "that couple." And I didn't care. This had potential!
But then our first date totally bombed. I had yet to understand what going on a bike ride with a professional cycler actually meant. Oh wait, it means don't wear blue jeans and make sure to wear your helmet even if you don't want to mess up your hair for a date. In hind sight, for how long I was on that bike the jeans were a bad idea...
and had we been attacked by zombies on that flat paved low traffic trail I would have really wanted that helmet. And if you think that is the last time I stubbornly ignored his advice you don't know me very well. He is right about 80% of the time when he gives me advice like that...for the record.
And that is how we got here
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| By all accounts it just doesn't make sense! |
We were busy trying not to like each other and neither of us really knows how we got to where we are now. We just know it happened and it happened quite naturally after we decided to give it another chance. He became my running buddy- and he ran at my pace to motivate me. For those of you who know Jason, that means he was running 11-10 minute miles. (He made me run faster than my usual 12 minute mile pace) Just let that sink in. Our friendship blossomed on those runs. We both began to let down our guard and I learned to let go of my stubborn pride. Mostly.
And then he decided to test our relationship and took me fishing.
That was the date I began to realize I was falling for him.
He let me wear his summer waders and everything! That right there is the first fish I ever caught. (note the infamous pink worm) He thought it was the most ridiculous thing he ever saw. I'm pretty sure everyone in the surrounding 5 mile area could hear that I caught that fish. How could he not be attracted to someone in giant waders holding a fish while squealing? I save those man catching moves for the real deal. And Jason is definitely the real deal.
As you can imagine, I have since become much better at fishing. And although it isn't quite the addiction it is for my main man, there is just something about watching him go crazy about those fish that makes me smile.
So yeah, this is a very common view for me on any given weekend. But I like it. And I assure you it is quite entertaining because he is good at it. Like watching a kid at Christmas. A kid trained in the art of being a ninja who gets the presents to come to him.
And he still runs with me! This one was from a 17 mile run in Logan. He thought I was taking a picture of a moose.
And technically I was.
So what happened to me? Well, I found a man willing to go on constant adventures who loved the gospel and I just held on. Sometimes he is crazy, but that's OK because I'm always crazy. He brings out my best self and he is incredibly patient. I'm pretty sure God had a hand in this. I could never have found something this good on my own. The moral of the story is I have found true love. And true love sings you "Soft Kitty" when you are sick and calls you a trooper when you look like a zombie. And then you can punch true love in the gut and he still loves you.
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Actual conversation with true love
Jason: Jen you are such a trooper. Way to endure (this 6:30 hour ordeal without dinner)
Jen: But I look like crap (pout)
Jason: I didn't say you looked like a hottie I said you were a trooper.
PUNCH
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Life with him is going to be lots of fun :-)
Oh, and he has said he loves me more than fishing. I'm not sure if I believe him but it is quite the endearing sentiment nonetheless.
One more couple picture just for kicks.
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| I look like a trooper! |
