Total Upgrade!

Just talking with a fantastic friend who recently was married, she described how awesome marriage is, that "it is a total upgrade!  It's so awesome, you can't even imagine it!"

With Greg as the other half of our team, I couldn't dream of it happening in any other way!  It's so amazing how a relationship can open up new ways to see yourself, the world, and give you a willingness to try to go about things differently, or just try new things all together.  One of my favorite things about being in love is the ever-present opportunity of change, of work, of progression, and of forgiveness.  

A few things about Greg:

- I love his smile and his soft, but bright, beautiful eyes
- Greg has dabbled in so many things: bull-riding, archery, lawn care business, soccer coach, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, rock climbing, health coaching, researching, home improvement/remodeling, auto mechanics, cooking, surfing, traveling, fishing, camping, hammocks, slack-lining, etc.  I've been the beneficiary of so many of his talents!
- Greg is a nerd (as stated by his father)
- Greg is stubborn (as stated by his mother)
- You know that Greg likes you if he teases you
- You know that that Greg is upset if he becomes quiet and doesn't give much of a response to you
- Greg likes to analyze and figure things out, no matter what they are...his mind is almost always working on something
- Greg and I have great conversations because our minds are similar: we bounce around random topics and bring them up to each other, but somehow we follow each other's line of thinking...
- If you're one of Greg's friends, you know that he really does have a big heart.....he'll show you in so many different ways
- I'm on the losing end of tickle fights, but that's okay, his hugs and kisses totally make up for it
- Greg likes to make lists to organize his to-do's, his goals, his dreams, his...you name it. 
- According to the color code, Greg is equally red and yellow 
- One of the signs that it was meant to be was when Greg showed me the silverware and silverware holder he had bought a few years back...the design and brand are exactly the same, his was just a cheaper version of mine
- Greg is great at organizing...while I know where things are in my head and have some order to things, Greg actually physically puts them in order and makes my life so much less stressful!
- Traveling with Greg is the best because he makes road trips fly by!
- Greg can't wait to be a doctor and perform surgery....total bonus for me, who, when I'm a mother will probably pass out with the sign of anything more than the typical scratch or bump...
- Greg has fun with kids and he does a great job teaching them!
- Greg is who he is, and he likes to be his own person; I like that he doesn't always follow the trend...
- However, Greg has quite the eye for fashion, and does keep up on those trends...
- Greg will say his prayers in German sometimes.  It's beautiful :)
- Greg loves me for me!  I couldn't dream of anyone else who loves me and supports me the way Greg does...he really cares!

Our Story . . . So Far

 

It's true. She did say something first after waiting for three days for Greg to start the conversation following their initial match on Tinder. She struck up the conversation, and it came naturally. They both realized how much their pictures and profiles really did match. She likes the to bike and rock climb?! He likes to travel?! She likes to work out?! He likes to cook and try new foods?!

And so they planned their first adventure to meet up and check out some art at the SLC Library followed by some climbing at Momentum gym.  The next date they explored the gym at the Provo Recreation Center, shot baskets for a couple hours, and then enjoyed some Korean food (and Kari tried squid!).  The third date they ventured out to have Kari try archery for the first time, and then enjoyed a treat at Crown Burger before briefly meeting Kari's parents to help move a large plant that Kari would be watching while her parents are on their mission.  Kari found herself anxiously awaiting Greg's messages, calls, and date ideas, and Greg's sister noticed how happy Greg was when he was texting Kari (compared to the other girls Greg knew and was dating at the time).

After that, the adventure ideas and planning came easily, and after an eventful day or evening, Greg and Kari would find themselves staying up late, enjoying the fun and interest of their conversation and the anticipation of planning for adventures: new Christmas lights for Kari's house, fly fishing, trying new recipes for dinner, more rock climbing, soaking and a little snorkeling at the Midway crater, indoor skydiving and surfing, pottery lessons, tennis.  Even grocery shopping, cleaning at home, and running errands became more fun with a buddy to come along and join in.

It was only natural, then, when Greg proposed to Kari on the edge--literally--of a mountain.  With the help of friends to distract Kari (and document the occasion), Greg set up a rock climbing route in American Fork Canyon.  At the top of the route, he had this attached to the mountain side:

Kari climbed up to the top and was ecstatic when she saw it: "Yes!!!" (If she had said "no", would Greg have left her hanging there?!) Greg quickly let her down and popped the question again.  The two are so happy!