Our story
Have you ever met one of those people, you know, the kind that you just can't seem to get enough of? Every once in awhile two of those people find a way to fall in love. That is how our story begins, two people and one miraculous story.
Mark had just gotten off of his mission, he wasn't looking for romance and neither was the woman that he'd soon meet. She had just flown in from Nome, Alaska and was ready to start her first year at college. He was her RA (Resident Assistant), and had three days prior had a little visit from his old mission president. President McBride looked at Mark and with discernment asked him an important question "Your searching aren't you" (He knew that he meant for a future wife). Before He could have answered (the answer would have been a definite NO) he furthered his comments by saying "Because she might just pass you by... that happens you know!" This comment really threw Mark for a loop and he put him in a more serious mood for this most important decision.
Amaris, on her first day at college is checked in by who else but Mark Allen Fletcher. He doesn't remember the encounter, but for some reason he stuck in her mind. The following Sunday, all of the ward was to meet together before walking to church and it just so happened that Mark knew one of Amaris’s roommates, Abigail. Unknowingly, Abigail was to be used as a tool for courtship. They sat next to each other at church because Mark had become intrigued by Amaris’s knowledge of various quotes- only Mark would think that was a turn on. After church, Amaris felt prompted to invite Mark over to dinner but she was actually afraid to follow the prompting. She eventually gave in and invited him over. Mark says that his heart, "leapt" at the opportunity. He was twitterpated.
Dinner was great even though Mark’s assistance in the dinner resulted in ruined white sauce. The dinner was over and it was evident in Marks countenance that he wished to go on the Sunday Night Walk that Amaris had suggested. So he gave the woman a tour of campus and went home beaming. Literally, Mark was more amazed and excited about a brief encounter with her than he had been for most event in his life. In fact, it was hard for him to sleep that night and the next morning he woke up still thinking about her. Amaris on the other hand had felt that the night was pretty good and was convinced that Mark had a crush on her roommate Abigail because they were friends (funny huh?).
The next day, Mark managed to get invited to dinner again and Amaris also invited him to go to the movie Pride and Prejudice with a "group" of guys and girls. It turns out that the only people who showed up to the movie were Amaris, Mark, and Daniel (also a return missionary on the prowl). So there they were, on their first group date. Amaris, sitting in between two men giving their full attention to her- and Mark, wondering if he is the baggage and who she really is interested in. So the movie ends and both men try to walk her home. This results in an ½ hour long walk with awkward moments and the thought drilling through Marks mind such as "I sure hope this guy gives up 1st because I really want to walk her home!!" Fate and hope rests on Marks side as Daniel goes home due to his need to finish studying. They both walk him home and now these two future love-birds spend their first few moments alone. The door step creates an even more awkward moment. Mark goes out on a limb and expresses his amazed impressions about this beautiful woman by stating "Amaris, I meant what I said the other night I think your amazing. And how come when you invited me to dinner my heart leapt. And how come that night I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about you and when I woke up I was still thinking about you?" This both shocked and stunned Amaris but she replied that she felt similarly about him. They ran off and spoke deeply and freely to each other for another hour, ending the night with a well received hand-shake.
The Courting began. Mark Planned dates, they cuddled and they even found "their spot" on the mountain. On the way home from one of these dates (a BYU Football Game) Mark pulled Amaris into the trees and stated "I don’t see how a girl like you who wants a marriage to work and a guy like me who also wants it wouldn’t have just a perfect marriage..." She replied "we’d be happy every day." Moments later they were engaged in one of their favorite activities, finding a place to sit and just talk... Amidst one of Marks sentences slipped out the words "I love You." Kind of shocked at what he said, he continued on to the next sentence where Amaris stopped the conversation and said with a hopeful tone in her voice "What did you say?" Mark repeated his feelings "I love you". Her response just as precious "Really, because I’ve been wanting to tell you that for the past hour!!" Love had not happened upon this couple, it was deep, deeper than either had ever felt. Feelings of attraction, interest or care could not even describe how they felt for each other. It was true love, and they had found it so quickly!
Over the next few weeks Mark diligently searched his heart and soul about this most important decision! Was this woman the one he would have the privilege of spending eternity with? The answer, a resounding yes. In the Bountiful Temple, Mark, in an experience to Sacred to discuss felt revelation and approval from his Heavenly Father. This answer brought Mark more happiness than any other earthly experience had. He was also told in priesthood blessing that she was his "perfect match" and that "they would have a life of service together." So one important thing was left, Amaris receiving her answer...
Amaris was having the experience of an eternity but she was really nervous. She had just met this man of her dreams but she had also just gotten to college and it was all happening so very fast. Knowing that he had received his answer made her want to know for herself. Eventually, she got a priesthood blessing in which she was told that she had her answer all along. After returning from prayer, she felt overwhelming peace- she was to marry Mark Allen Fletcher.
She told him by writing in his journal a long note and then telling him to flip to the back page. He saw a key which went to what was on the other side of the page- a red, cut-out heart with the words "Amaris Rachell Guy." He now had the key to her heart. The official proposal wasn’t to come for a very long time- Sunday, November 21st. He actually began proposing on Thursday the 18th. He took her on a romantic evening that ended with having gotten 18 beautiful red roses (which she received throughout the date) and yet no proposal. The next day, he had flowers and poems for her in every class- each time asking her if she’d marry him and if he could take her higher. That night he asked her to dress up and she ended up going on a sentimental and romantic scavenger hunt (taking her to all of the places that were significant to them and having a present at each one) for 2 hours- at the end of which she was on one of the highest points at BYU (the roof of DT) and he danced with her and sang a song he wrote. They got in a car and went to Salt Lake City and went to a nice restaurant, The Roof- which over looks the temple. He got on one knee with a box with a gum stick in it. Another couple got engaged there that night but not this one. He took her home and she was shocked that nothing was coming of it all. The next night they went to a play and afterwards he took her to the highest point in that building where he read her a list of things her family had written about her and why they loved her. They ended the night with dinner. On Sunday, at church- right after sacrament- he told her they needed to go. They went outside where he asked, "Can I take you higher?" She said yes as a typical response but he replied, "no, no one can take you higher than the Savior just took you, but I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying." With that came a ring and on one knee, Mark asked Amaris to officially be his wife.
There are many love stories- some are funny, romantic, spiritual, or unfortunate. However, there is a secret to real love, the kind that lasts an eternity, the kind that leaves the couple falling in love everyday as they work at their marriage and the love only grows. This kind of love only comes from one thing.... NEVER SETTLING. There isn’t a one perfect person out there for each individual, and marriage could work between any two people willing to give it their all. Just never settle, life and love will be easier. The end of this story isn’t written- in fact, neither was their first kiss because it hasn’t happened yet... but all these things will work out as we realize that the end never comes, only a new beginning everyday- a new chance to start again.
And they really lived...... with love, for ever after...
posted by Amaris @ 8:57 AM
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