So here is a little background on just how Garret and I met and started dating. It is totally a typical mormon story... maybe even good enough for a movie someday!
Garret and I met back in January of 2011 in an institute class. However, this wasn't just any institute class... it was in fact the Happiness in Dating class taught by the amazing Brother Stoll. I took the class because a majority of the institute council were also taking the class and we all wanted to take institute together, and Garret got dragged there by one of his soccer buddies. We didn't talk much at first. I mostly just noticed him when he would play the piano (which is my favorite instrument fyi). It wasn't until later in the semester we had an "in-class date" where Brother Stoll paired us up to learn more about conversations and getting to know people on a date. Stoll paired Garret and I up and we had an awesome conversation... I am not entirely sure what we talked about, but it was funny because we were laughing a lot! Stoll even used us as a good example at the end of class of how to have a casual conversation.
After this "in-class" date we started to talk a bit more. We said hi to one another, but nothing too much. A little while later Garret and I were talking about the Festival of Colors, he mentioned that he really wanted to go, but that none of his friends could. A large group of my friends were going so I invited him to come along. He got along with everyone great and we had a lot of fun throwing bags full of colored chalk in each others faces! It was a blast.
I believe it was the next week, Garret asked me on our first official date. He invited me to General Conference because his brother Ian couldn't go. I said yes! I hadn't ever been to a session of conference, usually I just watched it from the comfort of my couch at home. I was super stoked until I found out that after the morning session we would then be going to his grandparents for dinner and to watch the afternoon session. This is when I started to freak out a bit. Our first date and I was already meeting the entire family. But it turned out to be a blast! His parents were awesome, and his extended family were all extremely nice and did great at making things not awkward for Garret and I. It is at his grandparents that we actually first held hands... and I believe we have pretty much been dating ever since!
