Hey everyone:
So I know that I posted this story at the beginning, but I liked the way I worded this when I wrote my spotlight for a missionary girlfriend blog so I thought I'd share it. :) If you want to compare the two stories, they kind of come together. :)
I initially met Trenton Wayne Chaney in July of 2011 through my now
brother-in-law Scott. Trent is from Athens Ohio (in the Columbus Ohio
Mission) and that's where Scott had served a full-time mission. Trent
and Scott met just days before he came home from his mission, but they
hit it off and Scott gave him his contact information for when he was at
home in Utah. Well, Trent started driving Semi-trucks across the
country and by sheer happenstance had mechanical problems just north of
Salt Lake and had to stop to get repairs. Knowing he would be there
over the weekend he contacted Scott and asked if he could attend church
with him. So, they spent sunday together,
then Trent got hauled over to my parents home because (naturally) Scott
and my sister Natalie were unseperable. That's how we first met, with
Trent sitting on my parent's couch as I walked in from Church myself.
Now, according to Trent when he first saw me it was like in the movies,
you know when the heroine walks in with her hair blowing in the wind,
lights, angels singing, the whole shebang. Now, I don't remember it
being that dramatic of a first meeting, but he could swear that's how it
went. Then my boyfriend walked in behind me and he became a little
deflated. Needless to say, I still thought he was attractive and while
we didn't talk much we did keep catching ourselves staring at each other
from across the room. Looking back, I desperately wanted Tyler (my
boyfriend) to go home so I could get to know him better. That sadly
didn't happen because we left a few minutes later to have dinner with
Tyler's family.
So, we went our separate ways, and he tried to find me on facebook but
later gave up because he couldn't find me (I didn't have an account at
the time). So, we forgot about each other, he continued to drive Truck
and I moved back to Provo Utah to go to school. Tyler and I ended
things because, well I was moving and he also was preparing for a
mission and I told him I wasn't going to wait for him. Ironic how that
turned out huh?
Fast forward 6 months from our first meeting and I got a friend request
from him. I had forgotten about him, but knowing he was Scott's friend
made me accept the request, and that was about it. Aside from him
liking an occasional photo or post we had little contact until April 24,
2012 when he messaged me on facebook informing me that he had a long
train ride ahead of him and he was bored, SO I could text him if I
wanted. Being in a good mood, I did and that was the beginning of our
relationship.
We started texting and talking on the phone constantly for about three
weeks and during that time I developed the HUGEST crush on him and I
realized that I really wanted to pursue a relationship with him. Yet, I
was afraid because I had been hurt so many times in the past, but as I
prayed about it I felt nothing but peace and I knew that I could trust
him. After three weeks we both shared our pasts with each other. He
later told me that was the night he knew I would be his wife and that he
wanted to marry me, because of how strong I was. About a week after
that we admitted to having deeper feelings for each other than we
thought and so, he decided to fly to utah to visit me. And he did on
June 8th of 2012, that was also the day we became an official couple.
As we spent the weekend together we fell even more for each other (and
I'll tell you, that guy knows how to kiss me so that I'll melt into his
arms.). And after he flew back our relationship continued, and this
time I felt like a piece of me was missing (well, halfway across the
country).
When we first started talking I had known that Trent had a desire to
serve a mission. And I was eager to support him. I guess one of the
main reasons was that he is an older missionary. He joined the church
at 22, and he left soon after he turned 24. I loved how excited he was
about it, and in my heart something told me I needed to wait for him,
whether that be unofficially or officially. Luckily he asked me to wait
for him as his girlfriend shortly before he received his call.
I was lucky enough to be able to be there when he received his call and
was the only one beside him when he opened it. He was called to serve
in the San Fernando California mission. That was the day it hit me that
he would actually be leaving me for two years, but at the same time I
was excited to be by his side for this 24 month adventure.
Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I ever did though. He left
September 26th 2012, and I was able to spend the four days before he
left with him. During that time, he gave me a promise ring and we
talked about how we wanted everything to go. The one conclusion we came
to is that we truly did love each other and we wanted things to work
out when he came home. We both knew that the two years would be rough
at times and it could put a strain on our relationship, but we knew that
if we made it through this and still want to be together that we could
probably do anything. Right before we said goodbye, we went into my
room to spend the last few minutes alone and we said one last prayer
together and then cried together. The last thing he said to me was
"I'll see you in two years Bubbles. We can do this because Two years is
nothing compared to the eternities we'll share together." (bubbles is
my nickname. Long story there, message me if you want to hear it)
So, he left. Luckily, I had 18 credits and a 20 hour a week job to
keep me distracted and the months have just flown by. We are a little
past 9 months and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. Sure, 15
months is still quite a long time but even though I have my days where I
doubt and wonder why I'm doing this, I know in my heart I love him and I
choose him.
The mission though allows us both to get to know each other better as
well as not rush things too much. If he hadn't left on his mission we
would most definitely be married by now, no doubt about it. But we both
know that our Heavenly Father has played a role in bringing us
together, because there is just too much coincidence for Him not to have
a hand in it.
The past 9 months though I feel has allowed our relationship to grow
stronger and deeper. He is doing so well on his mission and I couldn't
be more proud of him.
As for the future, the next year should see me graduated with my
Bachelors Degree in Deaf Studies, and I'll hopefully be immersed into my
career by the time September 24, 2014 rolls
around. I'm not sure how long we want to wait before we get engaged,
but I know I'm not going to push him because he might need time to get
settled back into normal life before we tie the knot. His plans as of
right now are to come home and start his trucking company, as soon as
that gets running as smoothly as possible he'll head back to school and
get his Bachelors then it's off to Law School for him. So, I have a few
more years of supporting him and being patient while he gets everything
settled to support our family. I eventually want to retire and be a
stay at home mother. He knows this is my ultimate goal and dream and he
supports me wholeheartedly. In fact, that is what we seem to do is
support each other and encourage the other to pursue their dreams and
goals.
Other than that, the future is still a bit of a mystery to me, and while
it does make me nervous, it does make me excited. I do hope that
things work out between Trenton and myself, and I feel like it will if I
make that my decision and path to pursue. But, I'll continue to leave
it up to the Lord and let Him lead, bless and guide me through the rest
of this journey. I know I'm waiting for a reason, and the things Trent
and I are both going to learn will help us with our future family."
"In regards to the waiting:
I've found that it's more a time for me to figure out who I am and to
progress and try to reach my true potential as a daughter of God and a
future wife and mother. My main goal aside from completing School while
Trent is gone is to be ready to make the covenants with my Heavenly
Father in the Temple and receive my endowments one day. I will admit
that while I seem all positive about this, I do have my hard days. I
struggle with depression, primarily seasonal, and I feel the pangs of
loneliness just like any other MG does. The thing I've come to realize
is that the Adversary plays a dirty game of hardball and he will come
after you and your missionary, the goal then is to fight back and
develop a close relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Christ's atonement is a wonderful gift we've all been given and we as
MG's have the opportunity to use it while we wait for our boys. It has a
comforting power that is so beautiful and freely given to any and all
who partake of what's offered. So girls, stay close to our Savior,
feast upon the scriptures, and whatever you do don't let Satan get you
down. He knows he's going to lose in the end and so it is his goal to
make us all miserable like himself, and we can't let him have that
satisfaction of winning.
Lastly, don't put yourself in a box and hide away for two years. Enjoy
life, make friends, develop hobbies, volunteer, try to finish school,
you WILL NOT regret the time you take for yourself. And your missionary
wont regret it either I can assure you, and in the end it will only
make us better women and potential wives and mothers. We can do this
ladies, and with Heavenly Father and Christ on your side I promise that
ANYTHING is possible."
UPDATE:
10 glorious months have finally passed us by as you can see by my picture here
Sidewalk chalk is SO FUN to play with. I'd totally forgotten.
Anyway, I'm getting closer every day to that year mark. I still miss him a lot, but I'm so thankful for everyday I have to learn how to become better, and figure out who I am so that by the time he comes home I'm the woman he deserves as a wife.
He's also been district leader for a total of two transfers. I was so proud when he e-mailed me and said that he was going to be a DL. Through most of his mission he's told me how much he wants to be a leader. On top of DL, he was also a trainer for not one but TWO missionaries. One of which is waiting for his visa to Brazil. :) Yet, he has never failed to make sure I've been paid attention too. I've continued to get a letter every week from him. Sure, they might not be as long and detailed, but it's nice to get them.
Here's some pictures:
The top one is the line of paternity is what he called it. It's kind of a who trained who type of thing. The two in the bottom right corner are the boys Trent has been training
The second is a picture from his district. And the John Deere hat? Yes, that's most definitely him, his dream is to own his own ranch one day. :)
