5 Years

43 829.0639 hours

260 weeks

1825 days

60 months

No matter how you say it, the fact remains the same. Today, I have been married to my best friend for five years. I can’t believe how quickly time has gone. I never thought we would be where we are today, but I couldn’t be any happier.

We met on a cold February night in 2006. I was on a date with his friend Beau, and he was on a blind date with my roommate. I remember coming out from the bathroom and seeing Scott for the first time. He was sitting on our old green couch looking at his shoes. As I walked out, he lifted his head and I looked into his big blue eyes. I noticed his incredible smile first and was immediately drawn to him. I spent the evening trying to pull myself away from him and concentrate on my date (who by the way is a really great guy). The boys took us bowling and came back to the apartment for subway sandwiches. It was getting late and they were getting ready to leave. {I didn’t know they were about to go see a girl that Scott had been dating.} They walked us up to our apartment and we said our goodbyes. Scott and I locked eyes for a moment, probably a little too long because everyone noticed. [Awkward!] Needless to say, I called it off with Beau and Scott swooped in at the first chance. With his friends approval of course.

We met a few days later at Wingers with a group of mutual friends. Scott threw popcorn at me while I caught it my mouth. Haha. I remember laughing so hard and being happier than I had been in a long time. I had recently let a missionary go. We dated for four years prior to his mission, so being this happy with another boy was huge. It felt right. I knew in those few minutes I wanted to pursue this budding relationship.

Our official first date followed a few days later. He picked me up a few minutes earlier than when we were to meet the couple we were doubling with, so we headed off to a local park. We swung on the swings and got to know each other. Our conversation included our families, our dreams, our past, and everything in between. We went bowling again and played laser tag, but I remember feeling like that wasn’t enough. I did not want our night end. Sadly, it had too.

Luckily, he called the next day and we saw each other again. He told me his friend was getting married in Manti. Scott really wanted to go, but had no one to go with. So I offered to ride along. I look back now and wonder what in the heck I was thinking. We had only really known each other 4 days, but I felt like it had been years. He accepted my offer and we took a weekend trip to Utah. On the way there, I met his family for dinner in Inkom. I was crazy nervous, but they were so nice. His mom was cooking deer and I was scared to death I was going to hate it and have to choke it down to not offend her. Turns out I really like deer, and elk for that matter. We stopped in Utah to stay with my grandparents over night, then off to Manti in the morning. The weather was awful as it snowed like mad. I remember feeling so safe though. I knew he would protect me and keep me safe. The trip to Manti is when I really fell in love with Scott. We had so much time to just sit and talk and really understand one another. When we came home, I could not imagine my life without him.

This whole time, I was living in Rexburg and Scott was going to school at ISU. We met every Wednesday in Idaho Falls and I came home on the weekends to be with him. The time came for me to renew my contract in Rexburg, but I opted not to. I moved back to Pocatello to be closer to him. After only four weeks of dating, 

he proposed.

I had been dying to go to the museum in Idaho Falls, but he never gave in to take me. One April 5^th 2006, he finally took me. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t talking to me. He was acting so strange and not paying any attention to me. I starting getting very aggravated at one point and stopped talking to him. I was looking at one exhibit and turned around to tell him something, but he wasn’t there. Then I looked down, and there he was on one knee with a ring in hand. He asked me to marry him and of course I said yes. He put the ring on my finger and it was official.

Shortly after we were engaged, Scott left for the summer to go install security systems in North Carolina. It was the hardest summer of my life. I’m pretty sure I drove my mom crazy. I was not pleasant to be around. However, it was the best summer for Scott and me to grow as a couple. He was clear across the country and all we had was the phone to communicate. We had many nights full of arguments and misunderstandings. But, some of the best things happened. We connected on a purely emotional level and grew closer than we ever would have had he been home. It was hard, but I am so grateful for that summer.

Scott was set to come home late August/early September, but drove from North Carolina to Idaho in 2 days to make it home for my birthday. It was the best surprise ever and we are lucky enough to have it on tape. 3 weeks later we walked into the Logan Temple to be wed for time and all eternity.

On September 15, 2006- it rained all day. I woke up and it was pouring. It’s one of my favorite memories about the day. I love the rain, so I felt like it was a blessing coming down from the heavens. I got ready at a hotel in Logan and when I was finished I sat in the hotel anxiously waiting for my groom to pick me up. He knocked on the door and I ran to open it. Scott looked so handsome in his suit, standing in the rain with those big blue eyes and smiling from ear to ear. The sight of him assured me all the world was right as long as I was with him.

We were married by my great grandfather and the ceremony was beautiful. My grandpa got my named mixed up a few times, calling me Ann Stacey instead of Stacey Ann, (he was almost 90 when he married us) - but we look back at laugh now. We are so privileged to have had him seal us. It was truly a dream come true for me. We stepped out of the temple as Mr. and Mrs. Scott Packard for the first time, and here we are today- making history.

I love my husband with everything in me. He is my best friend. To be honest, I cannot imagine my life without him. He pushes me to be the best I can be and picks me up when I’m not. He gives me strength when I’ve run out and reminds me of how strong I truly am. He has never asked me to be someone I’m not. He has the best work ethic of anyone I know. He is smart. He has a testimony of the gospel. He is funny. He kisses me every morning and night and always in between. He is kind. He was made for me. I don’t think I will ever be able to 

express in words what he means to me.

Here’s to five years, Scott. I love you more and more and more each day. Thank you for blessing my life on a daily basis and loving me like you do.