This Time Last Year

I went to a bridal shower a few days ago at work. It took me back. One year ago on that same day, it was my shower they were throwing. I was embarrassed with all the attention on me. They had cupcakes because I love them, and they decorated the table with sweet wrapping paper, which I’ve decided is an incredible idea. They wrote to me all the advice they had, and I tried to remember it.

I looked at the soon-to-be bride, and I thought about what she might be feeling, both excited and super nervous and really just not knowing what to expect as far as the marriage thing goes…

If it were last year, that night I would have been making an offer on our first condo – Tyler by my side. Later on, my family would have arrived in town from all over the state; they’d have pizza and talk to me about the wedding plans and all. I won’t sleep. Because the next day, I am doing something I’ve been working towards and praying about for a really long time. The next day is the day I go through the temple for the first time. Going to the temple is a very big step in life as a Mormon and a very big deal for me.


The day was incredible. It was that day that I realized more than ever that God loves me and that I am in love with someone who is in love with me. And he held my hand and looked at me and smiled at exactly the right moments.

This time last year was the most incredible, overwhelming, terrifying, happy time of my life. I wonder if the bride-to-be is feeling the same way? I bet she is. I would tell her that after all of the extravaganza is over, life is still good. Better than she could ever think. Even though she will soon have the title of “wife” and he “husband,” they will still laugh together. They will still play cards and go to dinner and hold hands. It’s better than she could ever imagine. 

Why Running Funny?

Some people have asked me why I named my blog what I did. Running Funny. I can explain. It’s got a little bit to do with the fact that I like to run, and I talk about it sometimes. But mostly it’s because, well, you see – I run funny.  I really do. One time I went to a physical therapist, and he stood behind me to watch me run. And he just kept saying, “hmmmm, whoa, hmmmm, whoa.” Then he called some other trainers over and they all hmmmed and whoa’d together. This was not a “hey, honey” hmmmm whoa either. It was a “well, what the heck, I didn’t think legs could do that.” Just call me a modern miracle, gentlemen.

But I have a really good dad who’s a really good runner, and I wanted to run with him. In high school I started running in the dark in the backyard so no one could see. Then it was a few blocks in the early morning before my dad went for his long run. Then it turned into more blocks, and more great conversations and “exploration” runs than my dad or I can count. We’ve done two half marathons together, (along with my hardcore sister, Janna) and when my knees started hurting (I DO run funny…) - I took up triathlons.

I stopped hiding in the backyard. I stopped caring (let’s be honest, I stopped caring MOSTLY) what people said or how they looked at me when I ran. I just started running. I love it: I would even say I need it. There’s no better way to clear your head.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized a few things. One is that you should do what you love, no matter how you look. I do a lot of things differently from most people. What is normal anyway? But no matter how many times I second guess myself or how many times I think I’ve looked stupid or said something embarrassing, I always try to remember that life is for loving, yourself included. And I keep on running.