To The One I Love

Happy Birthday, Elsie!

I have been fortunate over the last two weeks to spend time in the house where you grew up. In honor of you, I have put together some of my favorite pictures of you. It has been a joy talking with your parents about how wonderful you were as a child and the beautiful person you have turned into. Let's start at the beginning...

You were born at midday, weighing in at a perfect 7 pounds and 8 ounces. The night before you were born, Carolyn wandered down from her room to be with your mom. She soon fell asleep with her head on your mom's tummy, as if to say, "I'm ready for my sister to come." The next day her request was granted and a wonderful bond that began before you were born remains today as you two are still such great friends.

You started walking at the normal age, hitting all of your developmental milestones in stride. Strong work. Your mom shared with me that you were such a good eater but loved finger foods most of all. You even ate your fruits and veggies like a good girl.

The first thing I noticed about you is your beautiful eyes. Your parents shared with me how anybody who saw you would run over to get a better look at their darling little girl.

Side note: I really hope our little girls look like you.

It's been so fun to look back and see your unique personality shine through even at such a young age. Here you are showing off your adventurous side. A side I'm so grateful you have.

Another side of you I have always appreciated is your deep love for family. Here you are with your Grandma and Grandpa Theurer. I'm sure your Grandpa Theurer is anxiously awaiting his next game of Shanghai with you, as he loved playing cards with you.

This is perhaps one of my favorite pictures of all time. Look at that face and cute little bum! What a fierce competitor you are. Which reminds me, you are so going down the next time we play racquetball.

Here you are on your baptism day. I am so grateful for your parents teaching you as a young child to love the Savior. Even from this tender age you understood the importance of the Gospel in your life and have done your best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Thank you for making so many correct decisions along the way.

I knew you were perfect for me when I found out how much you love being outdoors. I love that we both can share an appreciation for nature, it's purity and beauty. By the way, awesome hair, feel free to bring that back any time you feel like it.Here you are surrounded by a bunch of dudes at EFY.

Sorry suckers, she's all mine.

It just keeps getting better. Not only are you beautiful but you like the outdoors and play sports too. Really? How lucky am I!

Here you are going long, real long. It makes me so happy that our children are going to be so athletic (well, let's keep our fingers crossed on this one). At least they will have height going for them.

I have no idea what you and one of your best friends, Elyse, are doing here but more power to you. Girl power that is. I especially dig the wildcat headbands. Again, another one you can feel free to bring back anytime.

I understand what a tremendous heart break it was for you to undergo so many problems with your broken feet. I am so proud of the way you reacted to this challenge in your life. Nothing could hold you back from smiling and enjoying life. We could all learn a thing or two from you.

Although dealing with your broken feet was still difficult, it allowed you pick up so many other talents and learn many wonderful lessons. I am grateful you were able to learn how to play the harp and share such beautiful music with others. Your mom told me about how you would go over and play for Sister Farr when she was not feeling well. I am sure that meant the world to her.

Graduation day at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Congratulations!

So, are you 18 yet, because the further we go along in these pictures the more attracted to you I'm becoming. I know, a little creepy. I'm just saying it would make me feel better if you were 18 in this picture, that's all.

Uh-Oh! Enter the man of your dreams, there he is in the lower left hand corner sharing his milkshake with another guy (There's nothing wrong with that, right?). This was your 20th birthday and really a turning point in our relationship.

I see you still have the Homer Simpson slippers in your closet that Darby and I got for you. I was so stoked to find out you were a Simpson's fan. So, now we are at good looking, nature lover, athletic and sense of humor. Quadruple threat.

Quick shout out: I would like to thank my cousin Breanne for this awesome shirt I'm sporting. She got it for me as a b-day present back in the day. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met and took good care of me when I was in Provo.

I love that you love Logan. What a fantastic place. I'll never forget the time we skipped rocks in Logan Canyon. I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard in my life. You have got serious skills.

Remember how Michelle showed up and with her first rock skipped it like eighty times? That was awesome.

Just when things between me and you were getting interesting came that fateful day at Provo canyon where we broke up. Sad face. You were sticking to your guns and life long desire to serve a mission. Of course, I did not understand this at the time but I am so grateful you put the Lord first in your life and decided to serve. We both learned so many valuable lessons in that time we spent apart. Besides, it helped a little that I just found out I was going to medical school in southern California.

Wait a minute, speaking of southern California, isn't that where you served your mission? One of life's ironies, you spent your whole mission within an hour drive from where I was living and going to school. That still makes me chuckle a little bit. I mean of all the places you could go and bam, there you are an hour away. I know the people of L.A. needed you though.

Glad to see that you were such a diligent studier. Killer glasses, sweetheart.

I would have paid money to see you riding this bike in Hollywood. I'm so grateful you made it out alive.

And like that, you were home again. I am so proud of your commitment to the Savior and your fellowman. I know your efforts touched the lives of many and they were lucky to have such an incredible sister missionary like you.

And then it happened. Only 1,197 weeks after you were born and give or take a couple of hours, you were sealed in the Sacramento Temple to the man of your dreams, me. It is such an honor to be your husband.

All eyes were on you that day, especially mine. I have never seen anyone look as beautiful as you did on that day. You make all my hopes, dreams and wishes come true.

You have swept me off of my feet. It is such a joy to share my life with you. Thank you for all of your love and support. I love my life with you.