Brooke & Austin: Engaged
[intro]Today’s the 4th of Juy and we’re featuring a couple who sure shares a spark![/intro]
How did you guys meet?
We met in our singles’ ward. Austin says it was slim pickings before Brooke showed up.
First thoughts about one another after you met?
Austin: I was blown away. I’d never met anyone who had such a brilliant mind. Our first date we talked about philosophy and literature. I knew we were going to have a second date but I was so glad that we were. I was enthralled from the beginning.
Brooke: I felt uplifted, refreshed, and treasured by Austin from just our first date. Little did I know that I would continue to feel that way every day we spent together from that point forward. During our first meeting, I enjoyed his polite manners, his kind and open heart, his eyes, his beard, his laugh, and how assertive he was in expressing his interest in me and in every thought I shared. I especially adored how well and naturally we carried on deeper conversations almost instantly.
Who said “I love you” first?
Austin: Brooke brought up the possibility first, but I said it first. She has this cute mannerism where she’ll start to say something but think better of it after she’s already opened her mouth and this particular time I could tell she wanted to say something but was holding back. I nudged her about it until she finally fessed up with “I don’t know think it’s appropriate but I thought to myself that I might be falling in love with you.” I was relieved to know that we were on the same page. It was about two days later that while cuddling I whispered in her ear “Brooke, I love you” and as soon as the words escaped my mouth she said “I love you too” and cuddled up even closer to me. That was one of the many “perfect moments” that I’ve had since I met the love of my life.
Brooke: Agreed, I was so nervous initially but was relieved to know we were on the same page in that arena.
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Tell us about your first date:
Austin: I wanted to take Brooke out to frozen yogurt and she suggested we attend our YSA Stake Institute first. I knew I was completely out of my league after only a few minutes together. She was everything that I wanted in a friend and in a spouse. We just clicked. After being floored by her in our Book of Mormon class, we then went to froyo and everything just got better from there.
Brooke: I was a full 10 minutes late (which is pretty good considering my track record) but was really glad we could share a Gospel study session together before going out on a traditional frozen yogurt date. I enjoyed sharing and seeing our spiritual sides interacting on our first date. That set the tone super well for the rest of our relationship, I loved it and don’t regret suggesting that date idea!
Tell us about your first kiss:
Austin: I invited Brooke over to my apartment to watch a movie. I started the movie and after only a few minutes we turned to each other. As I looked into her eyes (she has absolutely brilliantly beautiful eyes) I HAD to kiss her. There wasn’t anything else on my mind. I leaned in to kiss her and as our lips first met fireworks went off in my mind. We ended up “watching that movie” for about 3 hours.
Brooke: I knew I wanted to kiss Austin eventually, but his lumberjack beard was a bit intimidating at first, so I needed some time to figure it out. I showed up to that date a bit nervous but also feeling bold enough to attempt our first kiss. His eyes glitter like stars when he’s happy, and it’s enchanting, which definitely helped when the magical moment arrived.
How did you know he/she was the one?
Austin: It was a gradual realization though it may be quite accelerated compared to other couples. The more I’ve come to know her the more I’ve loved her. She’s all I’ve ever wanted in a spouse and much, much more.
Brooke: Each day we spent together, hour by hour and conversation to conversation, I gradually knew he was the one for me, and that peaceful joyous reality has continued to solidify throughout our engagement as well.
How did he propose?
Austin: I’ll let Brooke cover this one. I think she enjoys telling it and I know she does a better job than I do.
Brooke: To keep a long story short, Austin took me out one Friday night on a dinner date to our favorite Thai restaurant and he had a bouquet of flowers in his truck ready when he picked me up. After a delicious dinner, we returned to his apartment where we watched a great thought-provoking movie called What Dreams May Come concerning soul mates, coping with mortality’s difficulties, and life after death. We had a really great discussion afterwards that led into 20 minutes or so of Austin beautifully describing the life and eternity he wanted us to share together, and finally popping the question. He claims he was totally caught by surprise as much as I was because he didn’t plan to ask me then or there, but it happened anyway! I took a moment to consider it, even though I had been working to make the decision all week, and I accepted his offer! We were both so happy that we forgot to take pictures that night, but we didn’t even have a ring yet anyway, so it was fine.
Photos taken: Provo, Utah
