My Utah Jazz audition

11 reasons that I will never leave the LDS church

I am a Mormon

"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am, I know Gods plan. I'll follow him in faith." The lyrics to this primary song are words that often times come to my mind when my faith or beliefs are ridiculed or mocked by others. And that seems to be happening more and more these days. Sadly, by people that are members of the church.

No matter the organization, community or person there are always those that attempt to strip down the church and make it something that it really just isn't. For example...

"Mormons are a cult. Self-deluded followers of a murdered con man they call a "saint." Joseph Smith was a con-man not much different than L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology."
                                                                  
"I grew up Mormon. It's a suffocating religion. If you think for yourself, are liberal, gay or a woman who thinks equality is something worth fighting for, then this church is toxic to you. There has been too much suffering in my family and circle of friends because of this church and it's members."
                                                                 
"Joseph Smith was a polygamous pedophile (as the LDS "church" recently admitted) and a con man who plagiarized other books in circulation at the time and who foolishly used King James English (from the KJV of the Bible) to write his "Book of Mormon"."

These quotes are just a few of the comments that I have recently read about the church. I would be lying if I said that there was a time in my life where those comments didn't make my blood boil. It made me want to... just punch the brains out of some people.

One day though I realized that contemplating and giving time to the negative ideas that people had about the religion that I loved got me absolutely nowhere. I would stay up at night thinking about the comments that I had read or the anti propaganda videos or articles posted on social media. And there was nothing that I could do about it. I grew more and more frustrated about the misinformation that was being distributed-- especially in a society that is so easily granted information. I was tired of hearing about what I allegedly believed from bitter people who hated or had left the church out of spite.

With all that has happened in the last few years the leaders of the church have been forced to make some strong and difficult decisions. And all the while the people watched and ridiculed and criticized the decisions the leaders made. The rise of organizations that petition the church to change doctrine was a whole new idea to me. (I realize now that this has happened a lot. This was just the first time I'd paid attention)  All these different organizations keep asking the church to rethink its stance on certain issues...and this, I just don't understand. BECAUSE...If these members that begin these organizations are true believers in the structure of the church, then petitioning the prophet to change doctrine does not make sense. And repeatedly asking God after he has said no is just not the way to go...just ask Martin Harris.

If you honestly believe that the church is the church of God, then trust him. Trust in God, and trust that he will reveal his doctrine as he deems necessary. Questioning the laws and doctrine of our Heavenly Father is a blessing I think many of us don't take advantage of as much as we should. I think that looking for answers is what we should be doing. Although, I do believe in keeping a "in the grand scheme of things" perspective. I've done my research on the twelve tribes of Israel hiding in the middle of the earth. I researched into the weird beginnings of the church and some of the oddities of Joseph Smith, the founder of the church. But always in the back of my mind I think, "how is this helping me grow closer to Christ?" Usually it isn't. So to me it's not worth spending a lot of time studying.

Okay... and Joseph Smith... he was a great MAN. He did great things. He restored the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness, translated the Book of Mormon and showed great fortitude and diligence amidst trials that I could never overcome. But, all he is to me is the first prophet of this dispensation. Thank you Joseph Smith...but I, just like the rest of the LDS population, do not worship you.Yet, somehow I feel like there is a big miscommunication out there claiming that we worship Joseph Smith. This is false. He was, however, told by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to restore the full gospel of Christ.
 

"I saw two personages, who brightness and glory defy all description. One of the spake unto me, calling me by name and said unto me,"Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear him."

 In the recent months it was unveiled that Joseph Smith was a polygamist...GASP! That's it! My testimony is gone. I can't believe ol' Joe would do something like that! But can I ruin the scandal for you? The church has been honest about polygamy for a long time now. We also haven't practiced it for a very long time. I learned about polygamy as a teenager in Sunday school and read about it in a book published by the church in 1989. And to be honest, most people in the mainstream LDS church think it's just as weird as the people outside of it. Polygamy has now just turned into a joke I use to tease my wife.

Like when she says this...

  I respond...

"This is why polygamy would be so great!"

So for real, it's just as weird and outdated to us as everyone else...except polygamists.

But in reality, it's not something I can fathom or possibly hope to understand now. Polygamy was righteously practiced in the old testament, so it's obviously a doctrine of sorts. However, I'll wait til the next life to try to understand it.

One more thing about polygamy -- according to Joseph Smith he didn't want to institute polygamy. In fact, an angel with a sword came down and said, "listen buddy, either institute polygamy, or I'ma  shank you." Okay, so that's no a direct quote. Look for a more in depth discussion on that here.

The church does have a few things that a lot of people find disturbing about the church. Accusations that it is racist or sexist or discriminatory are always being tossed around. The past of the church is filled with polygamous scandals, and the entire history of the church has many controversial excommunicated dissenters -- from past and present. Apparently, our beliefs aren't Christian and the Book of Mormon is just a copy of the Bible... There is so much that people can find wrong about the church. But let me tell you something...

I DON'T CARE.

Well, I am. I honestly do not care about any of these controversies. They are 100% out of my control. I do not believe that my time is best spent trying to unravel the mysteries of forgotten events, or teachings that have been hidden in the shadows. I believe that attempting to evoke change in the doctrine of the church so that it better suits my agenda and lifestyle will cause the church to crumble. I believe this because I believe that Jesus Christ leads and guides the church.

I do believe that God is the head of this church and that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. I believe that the Book of Mormon is true. I've read it, and it does not accomplish anything except for bring me closer to the Savior. I LOVE the doctrine of the church. And even if there are things, ideas and actions that the church makes that I do not completely understand right now, which there are. The potential to live with my family for all eternity trumps any little doubt that my mind or somebody with a YouTube comment can conjure up.

The doctrine of the church teaches that through the sealing power of the Priesthood that was restored to the earth, we can stay together with our families even after this life. This doctrine is not a common one in the christian world. Yes, the belief that the righteous will go to heaven and the unrighteous to hell-- and everyone will dwell together with God, is common. We believe in the Plan of Salvation, which teaches through the sealing power of the priesthood we can be sealed together as family units, husband and wife for eternity. So my wife will be my wife for forever. Sorry Aleece.

That's why, Aaron, Tyler and Zach... you guys are just fine. Don't rush it, just find the right girl.

Forever is a long time.

So I've come to the conclusion that nothing or nobody is going to take me away from my family. There is not one bit of obscure doctrine, shady past or current event that will sway me to forsake my family. I'm not in this church for the church's sake, I'm in this for my family and to serve the Savior. The church is a tool I can use to build my stairway to heaven, so I can live with God and my family after this life.

So here are my 11 reasons I will never leave the church...


                                                                                      #1. Michael-- My Dad

You couldn't find someone on this planet that I admire more. He has always been my basketball and baseball coach. He was recently ordained to serve as a Bishop in the church. I've never met anyone that worked harder than he has to give his family a great life. I love him.

#2. Sandra -- My Mom  

She has been there since day one. She nearly died just giving birth to me. To say that I've learned a lot from watching her would be a gross understatement.  She has so much love for the people around her. She is the best mom in the whole world. I love her.

                   

 #3. Beth -- My Little Sister
Okay, when God made her he definitely broke the mold... in half. And that's why she's so tiny. But when I said I'd never met anyone that worked harder than my Dad. Beth is right there giving him a run for his money. She is a great sister to have! I love you Beth!






#4.

The ever...

Elusive...

Nelson-- My Little Brother

Ah, there he is! 

This kid has followed me around since he was little. I can't even put into words how much I love my little brother. He is a pain, and he always tries to one up me on anything we do together. But, he's on his mission in Mexico right now and I miss him so much. I'm so proud of him. I couldn't even imagine not spending eternity without this idiot. I love you man!







 #5.  Aleece-- My Wife

Isn't she just cute!

Once again, I have no words to describe how much I love her. Four years ago I barely knew this girl existed, and now I can't imagine my life without her. I love her more than anything, and she is the reason the gospel is so important to me. I want to be the best husband I can be. I want to be there for her through thick and thin and the good and the bad.

But, I believe that part of being a good husband is always being there for her.  That's why the gospel is so important to me. Aleece and I were married in the Logan temple, and through the sealing power of the priesthood we can be together forever, and I can ALWAYS be there for her. I love you, Aleece.






#6. The Thain Family -- Aleece's Family
Oh what can be said about the family of my in laws? Oh what to say, except for I love you guys. You have taught me to learn to love others. And your children have taught me...patience. And the joy of silence...and also the joy of noise. I love you guys.

This is multiple families... All with one wife and thousands of kids

#7. Schon-- Beth's Husband

Schon the frog catcher, he caught a frog and turned it into a princess...then married her.

Since the day that he caught a Tiger Musky over forty inches long he has been in my book of people I admire. He works hard to take care of my sister, and is a good example to me of being a great new dad. I love this guy.

Cutest baby ever...Well done you two, well done.

#8. Addison-- My Niece, the daughter of Beth and Schon
Oh Addison, you are lucky to have the parents that you have! I am excited to have you in our family. You're the cutest little girl I have ever seen! I love you...but I'm never changin your diapers. 





#9.  Avery -- My Daughter...that's so cool. My daughter.
I can honestly say that I'm scared out of my mind to have you Avery. I have never felt so insecure or worried in my entire life. However, every day that passes, I get more excited to hold you in my arms and look into your eyes. I really hope you look like your mom. Because between you and me, she is gorgeous! Avery, I am excited to have you with us soon! Please, stay healthy! I love you.

#10. Ellen -- My Little Angelic Sister

Our one and only full family picture

You know Ellen, because you passed away as a a baby-- I sometimes don't tell people about you. But that doesn't mean that you've been forgotten. To be honest, there aren't a whole lot of days that go by that I don't think about you. It's really hard for me to talk about you sometimes. I know you were just a tiny little girl, and that I only held you for a few minutes before you passed away. But thanks to the the gospel of Jesus Christ and the faith that I have, I believe that we will see each other again. I know that you looked after Addison before she came to this earth, and that right now you're watching over our little Avery. I know you were there at the temple when Aleece and I were sealed together for time and all eternity, I could feel you there next to me. Sometimes, when I'm struggling, I can hear you talking to me and I can feel you lifting me up. You're the help that I need when I'm too prideful to ask. And I can't wait to see you again. I love you.

#11 Jesus Christ -- My Savior
I am very grateful for the Savior. If every other reason to attend church and stay active and continue to serve, fails. This is my reason to never stop. I am so indebted to the Savior that I cannot afford to stop doing what he asks of me. I believe in the Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon. Both testify of the divinity and power of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities..."
Matthew 31:30 "And after they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him."
1 Nephi 10:10 "...And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest..."
Mosiah 3:10 "And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgement might come upon the children of men."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

The Book of Mormon and Bible paint one story of major importance. That is, Christ coming to the earth to atone for our sins. I love him.

This is why despite all the controversy and doubt that is, as Michael Scott would say, "spiraling out of amuck." As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints we need to find purpose in the gospel. Without purpose there really is no meaning or point of sticking around. It will be much easier to fall and stay down when life punches you in the stomach if you have no reason to get back up. It's important to ask yourself, "why am I doing this?" If you can't think of a reason I invite you to find one.



Because I know mine.

My $1,000 First Kiss

I would like to address some of the rumors that are floating around the internet about me saying that I was not the the most suave young man. Apparently, there have been blog posts and silly pictures drawn of me depicting an inability to smooth talk the ladies. I just want to say, these rumors are true.  But it wasn’t for a lack of trying… no wait, actually, it was.

When I turned twelve years old I finally graduated from primary! Even though my mom was primary president for…well, forever-- I was excited to get out of primary and begin attending Sunday school with the big bad teenagers. The teachers name was Mary Falslev, she was and is 1000% percent dedicated to her calling of teaching us the gospel through her class. She always had a lesson prepared and was excited to teach us week after week. It was in this class that, as a young man, I sealed the fate of my teenage years. This is where I made an oath of celibacy. Where I promised that I would no longer chase the womens. 

You see, there is one lesson that I think all teachers loathe to teach. The law of chastity—it is the law that we follow pertaining to sex. We promise not to have any sexual relations of any kind until we’re married. That’s pretty straight forward, no sex outside of marriage. But in today’s world, well, to quote Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States, "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is." Meaning, what even counts as sex? That's why this can prove to be an awkward lesson to teach. Unless of course your name is Zach Larsen. If this is your name, then by golly you love seeing the awkward faces of those you’re teaching as you banter off words you do not know the meaning of.

After Zachs lesson the bishop had a sudden influx of repentant souls visiting his office

And that’s all I’m going to say about that. 

Although, when teaching twelve year old kids the law of chastity, sometimes, you just gotta start from the beginning. So one day in Mary's class she went through the For the Strength Of Youth pamphlet that the church released to give guidance to the youth.  This pamphlet addresses  what is okay and not okay when it comes to engaging in activities with the opposite sex as a teenager. It addresses dating, dancing and other activities that the church doesn't prohibit, but there is a chance for promiscuity to occur. It teaches us how to avoid compromising situations.

So we talked about kissing, cuddling and other things that we weren’t old enough for. And that’s when Mary said something to the effect of, “there will come a time when you will want to have those relationships. I bet by the time you’re 15 or 16 you will have already kissed someone.” “Not me!” I proclaimed, completely grossed out. “I bet you a thousand dollars that you will,” she said. “Okay!” I confidently said. “I bet you a thousand dollars that I won’t kiss anyone until I’m 16.” We were agreed. The rest of the class was also offered the deal. However, I don’t think that they took it as serious as I did. Actually, I don't think Mary took it as seriously as I did...

Dillon's ability to charm the ladies never ceased to amaze me as a young man

The next fast and testimony meeting, to make sure that I got my reward when I won, I made sure that there were witnesses.

Fast and testimony meetings were always interesting in the Benson 1st ward

After my public declaration of the bet, Mary got up and changed the deal just a little bit. She said that I couldn’t kiss a girl until my mom said it was okay. This bummed me out just a little bit because it added some time onto my thousand dollar- celibacy. But it didn't lesson my resolve to win.

My mom told me that when I turned 18 that I had permission to kiss whoever I wanted. She felt by then it was no longer her decision. But before I turned 18 she would have to know the girl and she’d decide. It was sort of ridiculous… however, I used to be really competitive and I was not backing down. During those six years I did not meet a girl whose lips were worth a thousand dollars. So, although I had girls crawling over one another to get to me – for six years I refrained myself. 

In reality, I could have made a thousand dollars for not talking to the opposite sex. Remember that time when Ginny Weasley first sees Harry Potter at the burrow in the Chamber of Secrets? You remember the look of sheer terror and embarrassment on her face as she ran away? I myself could pull that same look very well, and I’m sure I did each time I came face to face with a girl.

Okay, I wasn’t ever really that awkward. I was actually very normal. I went on dates and had non-romantic girlfriends all throughout school. 

Actually, my best friend Aaron is a girl...

So yeah, I was normal! And one summers night, I got to prove it. 

I was 18 years old and it was a Saturday night, so obviously I was partying...it was a pizza party...at Little Caesars. Okay, I was working late at Little Caesars on a Saturday night. At about 9'oclock my buddy Scott Adamson called me and told me that there were a couple of girls that wanted to hang out with us. (We had previously hung out with these girls) I told him I couldn't, I wouldn't get off work til about 11. He hung up, perturbed by my lack of zeal towards the prospect of hanging out with these girls. I hung up the phone and began putting pepperoni on more pizzas.

Scott was always quite the ladies man....................................................... oh, I ran out of dots.

He actually never had a problem surrounding himself with the ladies... cough (he was in (cough) color guard) cough cough. Oh, and so was Wes...but Wes (the one in the tux) ended up marrying the tall girl in the back. Her name is Micah. So that worked out for Wes...

ANYWAY...

The phone rang again and I answered it. It was Scott. "Dude!" he said. "They want to go star gazing!" That moment my eyes bounced out of my sockets and my chin hit the ground. Even I, the late bloomer, who, up until the last year had only stood three inches above five feet tall, whose voice had just recently started to crack, and who hadn't enjoyed more than a casual hug from a girl in his 18 years of God given life. Yes, even this guy knew what star gazing meant. "I'll do what I can and call you back," I whispered into the phone. Scott let out all sorts of girlish giggles as I hung up the phone. 

A few minutes later, I was out of there. 

Okay, so I didn't just leave. I had to do a whole lot of begging and take on a shift or two in order to leave. But I did not care.

I was still in my Little Caesars clothes and I wreaked of Pizza and tomato sauce. I called Scott on my cellphone as I drove over to Walmart to pick up a can of AXE body spray and told him I was on my way. A girlish squeal suddenly pierced my ear, "are they already there?" I asked. "What? No! I'm just excited!" he screeched.

Ten minutes later I was over at Scotts house, dressed in one of his t-shirts and an extra pair of jeans I luckily had in my car. For now the AXE body spray was doing its part to keep the pizza smell at bay. I'm sure I smelled...awesome. 

The girls came over and then we went to Elk Ridge park. All four of us sat there for a couple hours and talked and did some actual star gazing. Then Scott and his date disappeared... and there I sat...in the dark...all alone with this girl. We lied on our backs for an hour, just talking. Well, a lot more than talking was going on in my mind. I kept arguing with myself back and forth, should I do it? Should I not? Does she want me to? And then there was my most major concern...

 However, as I mustered the courage to kiss this girl I managed to keep my cool and a seemingly chill demeanor... or so I thought. 

I had never been so scared or unsure of what to do in my entire life

Finally, during a pause in the conversation, (which was happening more and more frequently due to the fact that we were running out of things to talk about) I did it! I got up the courage and I acted... Well,sort of. With no warning I yelled,"dang it! I'm such a chicken!" cried into the night. "What?" she laughed. " Well, I really wanted to kiss you tonight, but, I just have no idea what to do." I whimpered pathetically.

 Suddenly, this big buff, handsome black dude walked out of the shadows and wrestled my wallet away from me, took out my "man card" and told me I had to earn it back somehow. He then disappeared and the night proceeded as if nothing happened. 

She laughed again, there was a momentary pause, she then sat up and asked me if she could kiss me... I lay there, not moving. "Yes, please." I answered. I then saw her head above mine and two lips closing in....I did not move a single muscle. It was as if my body was had gone into shock and I could not move. Once again...

 A few seconds after she kissed me Scott and his date showed up and she was sitting over me with her lips on mine. Scott started making fun of us, but then realized that she was no longer kissing me, she was giving me CPR. Apparently I had blacked out, I don't remember the traumatizing experience of  them trying to revive me. All I remember was waking up comfortably in my bed the next morning having finally been kissed. 

Oh, and by the way, Mary did keep her end of the bet and she paid me $1,000 dollars to help pay for my mission.

From what I've heard... she has never made that bet again. 

The text that never came

Being from a small valley everybody assumes that if you and your significant other went to the same high school, you were either high school sweethearts, or you knew one another. In our circumstance this assumption is wrong. My wife and I went to the same high school, but we did not know each other. She is two years younger than me and when I was a senior she was a sophomore. I don’t think I knew a single person her age at the time…besides my sister…actually, that statement stands. I don’t think I knew a single person her age at the time.

 Also Aleece is a female, this fact alone made me completely incapable of knowing her in high school. Only in priesthood quorum or in isolated conversations with my best friend Aaron was I a ladies man. AKA…when there were no girls present. But as soon as girls were around I had no game. Por eso, I stayed mainly in the gym playing basketball during lunch, after school, in-between classes…during classes… you know, only when I was supposed to.

Well, it turns out that Aleece and I did have a class together. Early morning seminary. In Utah, the large concentration of Mormon students lets students get out of school and walk to seminary buildings that are right next to the school. In these classes you get to hear the gospel according to (insert seminary teachers name here)

 Usually you don’t have to take early morning unless you are insane – or, you’ve failed a few too many classes throughout high school and you don’t have room in your schedule to spare an extra hour and your mom makes you graduate seminary even though you don’t care to, but she threatens to take your car away if you don’t. Which, neither of those was me… ahem.

So what I’m getting at is…Aleece and I had a seminary class together. I did not know that because of the “general conference” room.  In order to keep the spirit locked in the class, the seminary teachers posted signs outside their doors saying that if you were late you had to go into the “general conference” room and sign your name. Here you would watch old recordings of general conference. The best part was they had no teachers in that room. I think they trusted the integrity of the students, so Aaron and I would show up late, sign our names and then go play basketball for an hour before school. By the end of the semester I had passed, dribbled and shot my way through seminary. Hey, it was their fault for keeping the spirit hostage like that.

This is why neither of us made it to the NBA... It has nothing to do with the fact that we are two skinny white kids under 6 feet tall... 

Proof that at least one of us could have possibly made it... 

Anyway, the way Aleece and I really met was working at Little Caesars after my mission. It was definitely not love at first sight. We were both seeing other people and after a few months of working together Aleece didn’t like me at all. But then, one day, while making pizzas, my hand and her hand went for the same pepperoni and a connection was made…an unbreakable connection! I immediately asked her out. We went on a few dates and fell deeply in love. I made all the right moves and we were passionately in love with each other! I was so brave, committed, and honest with her! It was a love of legends. Romeo and Juliet—HA!  Odysseus and Penelope – NO! Tristan and Isolde – Please! This was stronger than any other love story in the world.

NOT.

The reality of it is -- Aleece scared the crap out of me. For months I watched her while we worked and tried to find something wrong with her. There was nothing. She was kind, hardworking, funny and beautiful. (That list could go on much longer!)

The day I asked her out I was shaking… It was Sunday, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Aleece and I had been hangin out together for a month but I still didn’t dare ask her out. She was leaving for a vacation later that week and wouldn’t get back til my family and I had already left for ours. Oh man, I really wanted to take her on a date before we left. So I went into Little Caesars with a plan.

 I was still in my church clothes, lookin sharp. I asked Aleece if I could talk to her about the schedule. So we went over to where the schedule was hanging up and I said, “on this day,” and I pointed at Wednesday, “would you like go to dinner with me?” She looked up quick, she had expected me to ask her to work for me. She looked at the schedule, “yes!” she said. “Oh, but I have to work that night.” “Have you not looked at your phone,” I asked slyly. “What?” She quickly pulled her phone out of her apron pocket. She then read a message from my little brother, (who also worked at Little C’s) “Hey Aleece, can I work for you on Wednesday? I need the hours.” 

Yes, this lead Aleece to believe that I was very smooth.

This is what it took to get my brother to agree to do that though...this was when we were younger. But once you've seen one brotherly squabble, you've pretty much seen them all.

 So we went on a date later in the week and I grew to like her even more.

The next day she left for a family reunion. She got back on Sunday, a couple hours before my family left for our vacation and I went over to see her before we left. We talked… and that’s all. But, I don’t think I had ever loved someone as much as I did that girl.

My five person family crammed into a five seated car and drove a four hour drive that would drive anyone a bit crazy. By the time we stopped for the night to stay in a hotel Nelson and I had just about had enough of each other. And Beth just hated both of us. She was strategically placed in between Nelson and me to make the car ride bearable for everyone else. Sacrifice the one for the needs of the many.

20 hours round trip... Good thing we love each other!

 Once we got to the hotel Nelson and I both made a mad scramble to get control of the remote for the television. We wrestled and fought for it, at one point I somehow found myself at a disadvantage. As Nelson was reaching out for the remote and I, in no position to make a move, playfully flung my cellular device across the room -- and by some miracle, it hit him in the side of the head. I leaped across the room and grabbed the remote while my brother was momentarily stunned. Victory!

 

Nelson is Gollum, the remote is Frodo, and I am Sam. 

(Skip to 54 seconds for a quicker replay of what transpired)

 I then picked up my phone, turned on the television, and began to text Aleece. (I had been texting her all day) In some form of…poetic justice, or just downright stupidity, my phone would no longer respond. It would turn on, it looked fine, but it was just broken. Nelsons stupid head had broken my phone.

I tried everything I knew to fix it. I took the battery and SIM card out and restarted it -- nothing. So with no options left, I threw it against the wall -- still nothing.

The next day my phone was not receiving or sending any messages or calls. I figured I’d be okay, it’s only a week without seeing, texting, calling or communicating with Aleece… Boy, was I ever wrong! The destination of our trip was the Hiawatha bike trail in Montana. We were going through Coeur d’Alene. It was about a nine or ten hour trip total. So the entire next day we drove to Wallace Idaho and stopped through there. The movie Dantes Peak was made there. You know Dantes Peak right? It’s the movie with Peirce Brosnan that made you deathly afraid of volcanoes when you were 10 years old. You’d lay awake in bed at night hoping the volcano closest to your house didn’t blow up cause you’d die of acidic water eating your legs off. Or…that’s just me. I worry. And because I worry, with no other form of proof, without my phone and constant communication with Aleece, I knew she was forgetting more about me each day. So day by day… I slowly lost my mind.  

Day 1: We had an awesome bike ride on the Hiawatha trail...

By Day 3 I had officially snapped...

The vacation was wonderful! We rode the Hiawatha bike trail, wandered the streets of Coeur d’Alene and Wallace Idaho and stayed in some of the dumpiest hotels imaginable. In fact, there was still a leftover piece of pizza in the fridge when we checked into one of the hotel rooms. All the while my phone stayed broken and I wondered if Aleece still remembered me. In my mind she had forgotten me on day one, found another guy on day two, got engaged on day three, and was married on day four.

Luckily, by day four we got out of the woodland shopping areas and hippie stores and found a mall somewhere in Idaho. By this time, my family was aware of my anguish. We stopped at the mall so I could run into the T-Mobile store and get my phone fixed.

In the store I explained to the worker what was wrong with my phone. They did a few different things to try and restore it but none of them worked. So I ended up completely buying a new phone… (Which they advised against because it was possible that the SIM card was broken) But I did not care. So I bought a cheap (50 dollar) phone and put my SIM card in it. I turned on the phone and waited for it to load...

Suddenly, the phone began to vibrate. 

OH! Could this be Aleece??

Or maybe this one!??

Wow, she missed me!...

  Finally, my phone stopped vibrating...

Okay, I'm going to have a lot to tell her about! First I need to text and apologize to her for not responding!

Uuuuuhhhhhh.... WHHHHHAAAAAAT????????

 So, is it just me, or does anyone else find something wrong with this picture here? ^^ What's missing? I had been gone for four days, I was expecting a sudden influx of text messages. However, I was hoping for especially one in particular. But it never came! This amazing girl, who I was totally missing, and madly in love with had not texted me a single time within the last four days! Not a single text! Despite the fact that we had been having a fun conversation minutes before Nelson broke my phone!

Not even a butt dial...

 Luckily, with a lot of prodding from me-- we decided to cut our vacation a day or two short. We were all tired and wanted to get back home and get a head start on the weekend. When I had finished picking up the pieces of my shattered heart I decided to text Aleece, even though she obviously wanted nothing to do with me! 

When she responded she sounded excited to hear from me, and my spirits were revived. I made plans with her for later that night. We decided we'd watch What Lies Beneath at my apartment and go get Slurpees. 

I don't know what it was, but that night I decided I didn't ever want to feel like I could lose Aleece ever again. So that night I finally held her hand, we cuddled, and I told her exactly how much I liked her. I poured out my heart and soul, I told her how miserable I had been because I couldn't text her or talk to her over the trip and the things I did just to get my phone working to be able to hear from her again.

And thank goodness she felt the same way... 

Cause it all kinda worked out...

                                                                THE END