Dreams Come True

It all began....well....this all began back in January, but that's a story for another time. We'll start this story about 3 weeks ago, when I knew that Carson had talked to my parents while we were in Arizona, and the coast was clear for him to propose. 

It didn't happen at the Grand Canyon. It didn't happen on the romantic hike up Mount Timpanogos. My poor impatient heart had to ask him: "Um.....what are we waiting for?" 

He said he had to do some things first. He asked me to be patient and give him a few weeks (this was the Thursday before he did propose). He said we should go ring shopping next Thursday--a whole week away. So I assumed he hadn't bought a ring. I resigned myself to learn patience. 

In actuality, he had already bought it. He did a great job of throwing my expectations off. 

So on Labor Day, the last thing I was thinking was that I would get engaged that day. He had lots of work to do to catch up from past two weeks of fun we'd had. But, he said we should go on a bike ride as an end-of-summer date, since classes at BYU started the next day. We'd fit it in before he had to go to work at the MTC at 5:30--his normal Monday-night schedule. 

I spent the day working from home and helping a friend move. I wasn't very surprised when Carson showed up for this bike ride in his dress clothes. He had to go straight to work, and, let's be honest, it would be more unusual to see him NOT in his white shirt. But I had no reason not to be in bike-riding attire. 

I was a little suspicious as to why he was so determined to go on a bike ride, even when we didn't have a lot of time, my bike tire was flat, etc. Anyway, against all odds we got out there.  I said we should for a quick route so he could get to work. He said we should take a scenic, longer route up Provo Canyon. Little did I know he was trying to kill time. Then he said he actually got work off that night, so we had time to go for a longer bike ride. Great! I thought that was the surprise. I had Carson all evening instead of just a couple hours. I was happy. 

We went about 10 miles up the Canyon, and got back to campus after a good 20+ mile bike ride. Then Carson led us towards the Hinckley Center, and I knew. This is where Carson and I went on our first date.  I got butterflies in my stomach. I thought about how underdressed I was for the occasion. I wished I had actually gotten ready for the day. Everything started to click.  

We pulled around to the back of the Hinckley Center to see this beautiful gazebo. He turned on some Michael Buble and danced with me, just like we did on that blissful first date on March 7th that had set us up for destiny. 

 Then he showed me a priceless video. Pictures of us. Sweet, sweet commentary. Scenes of places of significance to our relationship that brought tears to eyes, and sporadic shots of him holding up posters that said words such as, "Will" and "you" and "marry" and "me" and "?"

THEN, this inspiring, handsome, hard-working, faithful, diligent, selfless, charitable, ambitious, athletic, sacrificing, thoughtful, handsome, fun, wise, humble, and loving man of my dreams..... the one who has completely stolen my heart....my best friend...the guy who makes me a better person....the one who makes my heart beat faster just thinking about him....the boy I had prayed and prayed would ask me out...he knelt down and asked me, Faith Goimarac, to marry him.

How do you say "I wouldn't rather have it any other way?" or "It would be the deepest honor and privilege of my life," in one word? So I just said yes.

(You know it's unconditional love right there when he asks a sweaty, gross girl like that to spend forever with him.)

Photo credit to Tarah Westover, who hid behind the bushes and got some great shots! Thank you to her and all my friends who hid out to be part of the experience! It was so fun to have you there! (Those are non-alcoholic drinks if that's not clear.)

I can't even say how happy I am. Not only because Carson is everything I ever wanted, but because few things have ever felt so right. I know that God is smiling right along with us, and that is a great feeling.  It all seems too good to be true. The whole process has me even more convinced of the goodness of God. I thank God for Carson every day. I love him, and I will love him forever.

Here's to eternity, starting December 30, 2014, in the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Summer Gratitude List

This blog has been a little neglected during the summer. Here's a little of what I've done and what I'm grateful for since my last post in June. We'll do this picture-book style.

 I've loved living with these girls--Nicolle, Brooke, and Ashling. They are always a happy sight to come home to and are truly uplifting.

 I ran a half marathon with Carson and we beat our goal time! It was a beautiful race and an amazing experience. I am so, so, so thankful for my health, for Carson, for running, for good causes like races for cancer.


My friend Jessica Jackson was visiting from Indiana and we organized a little Jerusalem reunion. Jerusalem is still blessing my life--three years later.

And these friends of mine from freshmen year are also continuing to bless my life--5 years later. Wow, I've been at BYU a long time. All six of us freshmen roommates went on missions, and the last two came home this summer! Our missions from left to right were Paris, Spain, Florida, Phillippines, Paraguay, and Idaho.

 This is a great action shot I got of Carson when we went to the Mona rope swings. Now we're eligible to graduate, having checked that off the BYU bucket list.

 A highlight of my summer was teaching 13 highschool-age youth at a mission prep camp at BYU for a week. The world is in good hands with youth like these in it. I was so touched by their desires to serve God, to prepare themselves to serve better, to learn the gospel, and to share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter the obstacles. I'm so thankful for the examples they are to me.

 A major part of my summer and the upcoming semester is my internship with the Utah State University Extension office. I am a nutrition educator with a program called Food $ense that teaches nutritious eating on a budget. I've loved interacting with the community in Provo, using my Spanish, and promoting fruits and vegetables via samples at Farmer's Markets, classes, and demonstrations. Eating healthy is so much more fun than most people tend to think. I love my major and my job.

 As a final hurrah, Carson and I just went to my home in Sedona for a week. We surprised my parents with a big 60th birthday party. Seeing their faces as they walked into our backyard full of friends, family, food, and decorations.....it was priceless. I was so thankful to be able to see all of my family (minus Hope who gets home from her mission in THREE months!) and nieces and nephews.

After Arizona, we went to Idaho for a wedding. It was great to be with Carson's family and friends. 

In all my activities and endeavors and footsteps this summer, I've been thankful for how much good there is to be found in this beautiful life we all get to live. There are people we can influence, there is love to be given and felt, there are friendships to kindle and people to re-connect with...there is really more to do than can ever be done. And it's great.