I still can go back to the same feeling I felt as soon as I read my first text from Sean. “Hey Kalahan! I hope this finds you well- are you available to chat on the phone around 4pm today by chance?” UM WHAT. I thought to myself, “Don’t get your hopes up, Kalahan- this could be NOTHING. Just go take your test, do the best you can, and get home before 4pm!” And with that…. to say I aced that test would be the BIGGEST lie on the planet haha!

I finally made it home, told my parents what was going on, and I patiently waited for his call. I don’t think minutes have ever gone by slower in my life. My mom and dad were almost as excited as I was…. Can you tell Sean already had some big fans? Haha! He was a little late to calling me, which is ironic because for those of you who know Sean you know timeliness is one of his biggest priorities in life (yes, if we are ever late… it is definitely my fault!). The phone FINALLY rang and I felt nothing but alllllllll the butterflies. His voice was deep, very manly, but so friendly. We talked for 45 minutes about the most random things, and it felt like I was just talking to one of my best friends. Towards the end of the conversation he said, “Now a little birdie told me it’s your birthday this Sunday!  I totally understand if you already have plans, but if not… *insert Irish accent here*, would you like to go on a date with me?”

:O :O :O :O :O :O :O

You guys…. I kid you not, I literally had to ask him to repeat the question. Not only because he asked it in an Irish accent, but I simply could not believe that Sean Robert Parkin was asking me…. ME…. Out on a date… on my birthday of all days! He repeated the question graciously and in full confidence this time I replied, “Sean, I would love to go on a date with you this Sunday!”

Sunday came quickly and that whole weekend was filled with so many special memories. I know this sounds bizzare, but before Sean walked through my front door to pick me up that Sunday, I knew in my heart that I was about to go on my first date with the one I was going to spend forever with. Call it presumptuous, but I really think that feeling came directly from the Lord. My parents even knew!! My mom spoiled me that Saturday to some new fancy makeup, and my Dad took me to Nordstrom to pick out a North Face jacket for our date. All I knew about our date is that Sean was taking me on a hike 😉

DING DONG.

I was downstairs gathering my things, when I heard the doorbell ring. I don’t think I have ever ran upstairs faster 😉 There he was! This man who I had been praying for and thinking of for months, at my front door, shaking my parents hands, about to take ME on a date. Again with the butterflies! We ended up going on a 5 mile hike in the POURING rain, and while I would normally NOT enjoy those circumstances, I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more. We talked, and talked, and talked and could not stop talking. The conversation couldn’t have ended even if we tried! We learned so much about each other on that first date- our likes, our dislikes, our families, our goals, our dreams, and so much more. As our date was coming to an end, Sean told me that he REALLY enjoyed our time together, and asked if he could take me on a second date- which I immediately said yes to. He then politely asked if he could simply give me a hug…. Of course I obliged. And oh my goodness…. it was the sweetest hug.

Friends, my 19^th birthday was one of the best days of my life, as it was the first day I spent with the love of my life.

No cliffhanger here… just… butterflies. <3

To be continued….

Here are some pictures from our first few dates together… <3