Shane

You know, I am sitting here thinking about Shane. So I have decided to make a post about him. Awww...

Do you know how lucky I feel to have Shane? Jeez...when I think how my life could have ended up if I hadnt met him...it only makes me love him even more. Shane works so hard for our little family. From the day he moved up the island when we were just dating, he has been working hard to take care of both of us. He was taught hard work as a child, thank you Brian and Lynda. He knows that his family is the most important thing to think about. He goes to work each day, no matter how much he doesnt want to sometimes, because he wants to make sure we are taken care of. Shane has such a great heart. An amazing sense of humor. He can make me smile no matter what...even when I am mad AT him and dont want to smile. I love seeing both him and Rylend light up when he comes home from work. He is an amazing daddy and seeing Rylend's smile when he sees his daddy proves it to you.

One of my friends from high school, Maya, just reminded me of a memory from 10th grade that I had totally forgotten about. We were in Mr. Mcnairy's Washington State history class and were checking out a map of the state (goofing around, as always) and you could see the top bit of Oregon on it as well. We were checking out the random town names and laughing when all of a sudden Maya went ""OOO JENNI LOOK!! ALOOOOOOHA!!! I am going to live THERE someday! That would be sweeeeeet!" We were joking about how there is a place in Oregon called Aloha and making up what it would be like...A year later I had forgotten that day, but met Shane. And look...he is from Aloha and now...we live here! Crazy....

I remember after the first time I met Shane. It was at EFY my first year in 2003. The last song of the night at one of the dances we have there. And I had no one to dance with. Then I see him sitting over near the corner, by himself, head in hands. I decide to disregard my usual rule of girls do not ask...and head over to ask him to dance with me. All I can remember from that dance is telling him about the island...and his laugh. If you know shane...you know how is laugh in unforgettable. I saw him one other time that week. Got a picture taken with him and got his email address. Then must say forgot about him.
A few months later, I get an email from Shane Merritt and rack my brain to remember who that is. When I finally do, I smile and open yahoo messenger and start to chat with him. From that day on, we chat. Sometimes daily. Sometimes a month or two stretches by with no talking at all. Sometimes we talk for 4 hours straight. Others only a few minutes. We find out all about eachother. But thats as far as I go. I was in a very steady relationship. I remember talking to Megan about this "weird guy who is stalking me on IM" lol. I was actually freaked out about him sometimes...how he always said love ya at the end of the conversation with that winky face...Shane is a flirt. Go figure. But its also just his personality. He didnt love me. He is just a goof like nothing else. But still...I acutally didnt like it and even avoided him a bit. But for some reason, I couldnt avoid him for long.
He is supposed to come visit me in May of 2004. But that doesnt happen. I am actually relieved...I didnt know what to do with the idea of him visiting after only meeting him that one time. The we request to be in the same group at EFY with his friend Robby and Kandra. I am nervous as HECK to me in the same group as my "stalker" But Kandra has been tons of fun to talk to online and we will be roommates...so I go. And it is fun. I like Shane...but I dont want anything else. I see him and Kandra...I know what is going on between them. And I have Scott.
Scott...I have to deal with that. At EFY that year I realize alot about life...about myself. And I learn what I DO want in my life. My beliefs. MY dreams. So I decide to break up with Scott. And get better in church. And go after my dreams. I dont want to date anymore for a bit. I want to be me. I feel pulled to Shane...but I dont wan to go there. I see him and her...I know its not meant for me...and I dont fully mind. I want to be...free
So I go home and break up with Scott and get ready to enjoy my senior of high school. But Shane keeps calling. And emailing. And then he comes and visits me a month after EFY. I thought it was nice...but didnt expect that a few days after his visit I would be dating him. So I think..."ok..summer fling. It wont last past that because of the distance..."

BOY WAS I WRONG.

He moved up a few months later...proposed...Shane knew he wanted me. He actually had to convince me that I wanted him. He said I love you first. I made him explain to me how he knew....and didnt say it back for some time. He waited though. We went through tough times. Disapproval. People hurt. I didnt mean for that to happen...but life happens and we cant avoid it.

I love where I am now. People ask I you could go back and not date someone you sis, would you?
NEVER

If I didnt date George, I wouldnt have been distraught by the breakup and decide to go do the MCT play again...where I met Michael.
If I hadnt dated Michael, I wouldnt have been encouraged by him to hang out with my friend's offisland...where I met Taylor.
If I hadnt dated Taylor, I wouldnt have done track that year (he told me I should still do because I am good...I doubted)...where I met Scott.
Scott...
If I hadnt dated Scott, I wouldnt have decided to go to EFY to prove it to people I didnt believe. I was in such a bad place...but I went, and I met Shane. Then I stayed with Scott...and a year later decided to got to EFY again to find out if I do really still believe. And there was Shane again...

I love them all for helping to lead me to Shane. Maybe I would have gotten there some other way...but that is ahrd to believe.
And I do believe. I KNOW this church is true. And it is so wonderful to have a man in my life who knows this too. Who supports me and who tries hard with me to do the right thing. Who was able to take me to the temple and get sealed with me for time and all eternity. Who holds the priesthood. He is the father of my amazing child. I cannot wait to have more with him. To see him raise them and teach them.

Yes..I am gushing. But those of you who have the person literally of your dreams...you know what I mean. Its the love that no matter how hard we try, we can never explain in words.

How lucky am I to have Shane in my life. To have his love. To know that when he leaves for work, he is working for us. That when he comes home, he is coming home to me.


I love you Shane.