And so it begins...

We are finally engaged!!! Most people know it has been quite a journey for Joey and I to finally get to where we are. But after all we've been through, it has made every minute worth it. We couldn't be happier or more excited to get married! I really don't know if I could find someone more perfect for me.

This is a letter Joey wrote to me a year ago on our first year anniversary! A lot has gone on since then but this sums up our first year dating...

5/26/08

Raegan Davis-

Happy Anniversary!!! When I first got home from my mission, I would run by Jamie’s house to visit Carly. Once I gave you that high-5, it was no longer all about “visiting Carly”. I can’t believe that his has now been a year since our first “date” to Gisela. I had to immediately get in good with your mom by helping paint the cozy cave. One of my favorite memories from the first part of our relationship was the random trips we took to Payson. Thanks for being my first kiss in the pouring rain after our picnic. My favorite part of that trip however was after we were soaking wet, we just sat and talked in Jake’s truck for a couple hours. I knew that there was going to be something special between us when you went to California and we couldn’t handle not talking for a single day.

I loved having our set schedule every day last summer and knowing that we were going to hang out every night no matter what. Movie nights with Jayd, Morg, and Shan were definitely highlights from the summer as well. I loved watching the Little Rascals and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang even though I just fell asleep on the floor with your whole family. The best one was when we had the blow up mattress all out and ready to go. Mexico was also a blast. Reading, laying out, swimming, and getting stung my jelly fish made for another good weekend for us. But, over the summer, my favorite weekend was definitely when we came up to Utah to visit Lauren and to check out BYU. I hated when we weren’t together and loved when we could just go on little drives. Without knowing our way around we still seemed to find some of our favorite places. After that trip, I knew that I wanted to come up here for school, mainly to be with you (even though I’ve never admitted that until now). When I left a week before you did to come up to BYU, I was so bored but then was so excited to get you flowers and see you when you guys stopped in at Glenwood. I’m still mad though that you didn’t let me help you move into your apartment.

Although Fall semester had its ups and downs and was little rough for us at first, we still filled it with fun memories. When it was warm, we went to our park probably 4 or 5 nights a week until it just got too cold for us. That park will always be a place of some good memories. Then that’s where we cried when we decided we were going to date other people (bad idea..haha). Then on the bridge, you finally talked me into telling you that I loved you even though we already had for awhile. Then after a few rough days, that’s where we once again cried and decided to just date each other (a much better idea!). We thought that we were both going to be snowboarding all the time together but unfortunately only got to snowboard together for one half of one day. Thank you though for helping me fulfill my life-long goal of kissing a girl on a ski lift!

I really wanted to drive home with you when it was Christmas time but you guys had to leave early and drove through that storm. Sorry again, that I was acting like your dad and being really nervous about you. I just was scared a little bit because I already liked you a whole bunch. Our little matching back packs we got each other are still funny. You got me all presents that you knew that I really needed and wanted. I loved that. Too bad my head was too big and we had to take back the brown Nixon hat! I didn’t know what to get you so I only got those earrings. (you better be wearing them right now!.. J/k). I loved meeting your extended family when I went to a few of your many family gatherings. I love both sides of your family already! You know I loved the spinning class with your aunt!

Winter semester was definitely a smoother semester for us.. I was happy that you still loved me even though I didn’t have a job and it worried Jackie! Those first few weeks were the most fun although because we probably averaged 10 hours together per day. Then we both got jobs and only averaged five hours or so. Once I finally had money again, I loved taking you to get sushi for the first time. I was so happy that you liked it and we still get to go whenever we go on dates. I pretty much hated finals week but not as much as you. All I did was work and then study and made you come to the library with me just so we could be together. I’m still mad that you did better than me on the two classes that we took together. It was a good thing that we drove Bro. Doria home everyday so we could get extra credit in Stats and take in his advice he had for us about getting married! Thank you for supporting me in my change from majoring in business to medicine. It was all kind of random but you definitely supported me and helped me make the right decision. Reading the paper your bishop gave us about what you need to know about a potential spouse was pretty funny and good for us. I’m glad we already knew 90% of what we were supposed to know.The whole semester was a blast and was the time when we have grown closer together than any other.

I hate being apart now Raeg. It kills me. It has been so hard for me to wake up every morning and know that I won’t be able to see you that day. You are the reason that I make it through every day with a smile on my face. I’m glad we are starting to get a schedule down to where we at least know when we get to talk every day. Hopefully you don’t care that when I’m bored at work, I send you pictures of potential engagement rings. I can’t handle not seeing you for a month at a time. The worst part is that you are getting to know my niece and nephews better than I do. Good thing they will be your niece and nephews here fairly soon!

Raegan, I love you so much. You always are making me want to be a better person. You have done so much for me and have helped me to grow so much. I thought that last summer was the greatest time of my life, but it has only gotten better. Thank you for sharing this last year of your life with me. I look forward to this upcoming school year because I am going to get to be with you every day again. There are going to be some big changes in our lives over the next year and I am anxious. I didn’t think that I could ever just be with one girl for the rest of eternity, but now I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have you forever. I love you so much Raegan.

Love you, Joey