Our Story.

I thought it appropriate to start this blog with our story. So here goes...


Once upon a time there was a boy. He was named Jared. He had fuzzy ears. This boy was born in Idaho Falls and grew up in a small town west of Anchorage, AK called Valdez.

Three years later a baby girl was born in Alamogordo, NM. She had black hair and was named Leticia.

The two grew up quite lovely.

One day Leticia's father came to her and her mother and told her the worst of all news. Their family would be moving. To Alaska. Leticia was concerned, but trusted her father's decision. Not too long after, Leticia visited her new home.. Valdez.

It was a Sunday morning in July of 2008 where Leticia attended her first church meeting in the Valdez Branch. It was then that something caught Jared's eye .. a new girl in town.

Jared stuck out to Leticia. His sense of humor impressed her. His immediate generosity flattered her.. and his definite good looks attracted her.

They enjoyed a short summer hanging out with the rest of the Valdez clan at frisbee, institute and game nights at the Howards.. but Leticia had to depart.

The year passed slowly. Jared and Leticia kept in contact as Jared tried to locate an old mission companion.. Clint Pulver.

May 2009. Leticia eagerly returned to Valdez where Jared had been working fervently for the past year. Immediately there was a connection between the two. After a few times hanging out, Jared saw something special in Leticia... something different from any other girl.

The two were meant to be. Everyone of their friends knew it and desperately tried to get them to realize it. Rebecca, Jared's sister, along with Heather Colbert and other friends would message each other on movie nights talking about how the two should have already begun. Andrea Colbert, another friend, discussed in depth with Leticia how Jared felt for her. Leticia was insecure. She struggled. Jared was afraid of hurting a friend. He backed away.

They got off to a slow start, but one night found their spark. Leticia received a call from Jared asking her to go on a date. Leticia was excited and immediately said yes. Jared took her on the most original, most creative, most fun date she had ever dreamed of. Everything went perfect. The night ended with hours of talking.. about everything.

After that, nothing could stop it. The two fell for each other.They were together essentially every day. Their friends loved the chemistry and enjoyed their fun presence.

At the beginning of July 2009, Jared asked Leticia if he could take her on a special date. One that included some alone time. Jared took Leticia to Old Valdez at sunset. They had a picnic which included Moose Tracks ice cream and Jared took the next step. He asked Leticia if she cared for him enough to become his girlfriend. She barely choked out an "Of course." :)

Unfortunately, the summer began to fly by after this event. Every day was happiness.. every day was exactly how it should have been. On August 8th, 2009 after a visit to the beach and the dock.. Jared finally gathered his courage to tell Leticia how much she meant to him. He uttered those 3 special, sacred words. I love you. She loved him so much.. and after such a short time. Something SHE never thought possible. She uttered those three special, sacred words. I love you.

Regretfully, once the two were at a point of complete happiness.. everything worked to pull them apart. Jared got the swine flu and worked in Cordova for weeks at a time... and Leticia's time in Valdez was coming to an end.

Leticia got scared. She had already lost someone dear and did not think she could endure the sadness again. Especially when she felt so much much much more for someone than she ever imagined possible. She started to back away. Jared was understanding and supportive. He held to her. They decided they should turn to Lord to find out what his plan was for them. They prayed extensively and could discern only one answer. 'Not yet.'

Leticia left for college. 3000 miles away. They decided to keep dating... 5 weeks long distance. At this time, Leticia began to realize what she had in Jared.. and what she could never loose. Jared finally understood what was so special about this girl.. and fell more and more in love.

Time passed. So slowly. Sometimes got unbearably tough.. but their love proved true... and was even stronger when on September 25th 2009 they were finally reunited.

Leticia's roommates saw the difference in her. She found herself with him. They loved having Jared around. He was, as they described, the only guy for her. Their personalities matched. It was perfect.

They stayed together for a few weeks off and on as Jared set up his life in Idaho.. for his next semester in school.

Leticia began to feel scared again. He was going on with his life.. and she with hers. It got to the hardest most trying point. Jared told her on October 4th that in his life.. she was going with him. There would be no separate... no division.. no alone anymore. Leticia cried with joy. This was it.

That Friday, fulfilling a special dream Leticia had some time ago, Jared fell to his knees and asked Leticia if she would be his.. forever. Leticia jumped into his arms and said, yet again, "Of course!" He would not stop smiling the whole night. She finally felt at home. Everything was right.

A few months later they knelt across the altar and promised themselves fully to each other. They danced their way out of the temple. They floated. They smiled. They laughed. They began their 'Happily Ever After...' :)