Happy Valentine's Day...Baby!

Even though Valentine's Day was two weeks ago, we still wanted to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day while it's still February!

So... Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, Travis, Lacee, and Baby!

Love At First Sight...

Five years ago this week, I met the love of my life. :) Whenever people ask how we met, I give the short answer, "Through friends". But, of course, there's a huge story behind it.

Travis had been back from his mission for a few months, and I had just finished my summer/fall track from BYU-Idaho to spend the winter track home working. We had a mutual friend get home from his mission in late February, and I thought it would be good to have a get-together with him and other high school friends. One night, Rob (our mutual friend), called me to ask if he could bring his friend, Travis, to dinner. Now, I had heard of this "Travis" before. Rob and Colby had always talked very highly of their friend who spent high school in South America. I had even seen a picture of him; it was one of Rob and Travis when they had just gotten their Eagle Awards (about 12 years old in the picture- cute...), but I didn't think much of it. So, when Rob mentioned Travis over the phone, the picture of this 12 year old boy scout with this extra-wide, cheesy grin stuck out in my mind. Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad...maybe he's nice. Sure, why not invite this famous "Travis"?

I'll let my journal entry tell what happened next: "We finally [met up] at Mi Ranchito, and I got to shake hands with Travis and introduce myself. And oh my goodness- the moment I saw him I knew I was in trouble!"

I really was in trouble...I was frustrated and disappointed in myself, not to mention depressed. I just couldn't like someone as wonderful as Travis-and talk about bad timing! I was headed up to Idaho the first week of May and wouldn't be back again until Christmas. How could I, who'd never been good at this kind of stuff anyway, strike something up that would last until then? It was depressing. So I decided from that moment on that I would NEVER reveal how I felt- no matter what, he couldn't know that I liked him. It would just make things awkward in our group of friends.

But we started hanging out more as a group and we got to know each other better. Travis will now say that he knew I liked him, but couldn't figure out for the life of him why I didn't make any moves, or even try to flirt with him. To put it plain and simple, I had no hope for "us". Yes, oh me of little faith. But then I left for Idaho, and he stayed behind, and we started e-mailing...then calling...then he'd ask me out on the weekend I'd be home visiting...then he'd come up to visit...and sent me roses for my birthday...and, well, it worked out! :) I finally came home for the winter and we were inseparable. I went up to Idaho again for one last semester, and then I was home for good! So after two years of dating, we were happily married and have been so for almost three years now. To commemorate this five-year mark, last Friday we went back to the restaurant where we met and reminisced. We also spent time together yesterday and went on a date to see to Harlem Globetrotters in Salt Lake. We had so much fun being together and reminiscing the road we took to get here.

My "Half Orange" Valentine

In Spanish, the phrase "You're my better half," is translated to, "You're my half orange". Pretty...unique! For Valentine's Day, I spent some time with my "media naranja".

We had a nice, candlelit, lasagna dinner which has become a Valentine's Day tradition since our dating years, and Travis completely surprised me by giving me a beautiful set of necklace and earrings! I'm extremely picky when it comes to jewelry, but he did an amazing job at picking out just what I would love. I also made my first cheesecake in honor of Valentine's Day. I've wanted to try making cheesecake for a while- so for Christmas Travis gave me a spring-form pan and a decorating tip set. We still haven't tasted it yet because we stuffed ourselves silly with lasagna, but we'll have to try it tonight. Hopefully it tastes okay!

Last weekend we also celebrated Valentine's Day by going to our stake dance with some friends. We had lots of fun and danced the night away!

I love my eternal Valentine. He truly is my better half! :)