So my mom and I drove my falling apart mustang all the way from Fallon, Nevada to Provo, Utah. Just hoping it would make it. It was a little scary. But we made it. My mom got me set up in my apartment and all registered for Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University). Jerame an I talked on the phone every day. He missed me and I missed him. I talked to my parents about moving to Sacramento. Of course they didn’t approve and said if he loves you he’d marry you first. Well ok! Challenge accepted! Jerame said, “Well then we’ll just get married.” He called my parents and talked to them, I’m sure they weren’t impressed.
He drove all the way from Sacramento to Provo on a Saturday to pick me up. To be honest I’m not sure where he slept that night because I was in BYU approved housing and him staying in my apparetment would have been a huge deal. I had a ring my sister had given me that had been an engagement ring for her at one point. I told him he should propose, not that it wasn’t already going to happen. But I wanted a little bit of old fashioned. So he got down on his knee while I sat on the couch at my apartment. He didn’t know what to say. Honestly we still didn’t really know each other. We had seen each other on our senior trip and then when he came to sand mountain for a weekend. I had also gone to stay with him for a week in Sacramento before heading to college. With my parents approval although I’m pretty sure I told them Jerame and I were just friends. But I’m pretty sure they weren’t stupid and knew I was lying. The rest was on the phone. We also wrote each other letters and mailed them. Yep pretty old fashioned and I loved it. He was silent on his knee for quite a while. He tried staring at the tv for distraction. But finally he said, “Will you marry me?” and put my sister’s ring on my finger. Of course I said yes and we kissed.
Well Jerame told his aunt we were going to stop in Fallon on the way back to Sacramento to get married. She wanted it to be in Reno so it would be a little closer to his family in Sacramento. My parents weren’t sure where to do it in Reno and could get my bishop on short notice in Fallon for free. Jerame’s aunt still wanted it in Reno. So Jerame said we just won’t tell my family then. I still regret that because I know his mom would have gone as far as she had to to be there. And I wish we had told her. And I think he does too. And I know she does too.
The next day, Saturday, September 10, 1995, we drove all the way from Provo to Fallon. My sister had gotten a cake. My parents had gotten my bishop. I had a white prom dress that served as a wedding dress. My family had even invited close friends. They had set up chairs for guests in my sister’s back yard right by the chicken coupe. Oh yeah we did it in style! My sister took me to get my hair done.
Finally it was time. Jerame stood next to the chicken coupe and my bishop ringing his hands, which he still does when he’s nervous. I don’t know if any music played or if my dad just walked me out my sister’s sliding door past the guests in silence. We got married. The bishop said kiss the bride and Jerame tried to go for way more than I wanted to show to everyone.
We had cake and presents. We cut the cake like any newlyweds do. I will tell you that boy was vicious with the cake! He got it up my nose and I’m pretty sure down my tear ducts in my eyes. I was a mess! But that’s Jerame. Go big or go home.
After we got married, we got in the car and drove to Sacramento. He had to work the next day of course. We got to the house he was renting with two friends and they were outside waiting for us. Not sure how that worked since there were no cell phones to tell them we were getting close. Good timing I guess. They threw something on us, rice maybe? Jerame picked me up and carried me over the threshold of the door from the garage into the kitchen. We were married. Our lives together had begun. I’m sure people had bets on how long we’d make it. I’m sure we both weren’t positive we’d make it. Somehow we did. Four kids and 23 years. I wonder who won that bet? Anyone out there guess 23 years?
