Our Story

We met at a church activity on a Monday night. On Wednesday night we had our first date, on Thursday our second. Friday night we had our third date. This was also goodbye. Early Saturday morning Ken left with his military police unit for Iraq. When he left he took my heart with him. Over the course of the next several months many letters, care packages and brief phone calls were exchanged.

For Ken’s birthday I made a video of my co-workers, friends and family saying thank you to him and all the other soldiers. At the end of the video was my message in which I told Ken for the first time that I loved him. I made sure that Ken had the video before his birthday. On my birthday (which is two days before Ken’s) I received a half a dozen red roses with a card that said, “I love you too.” The next time they talked on the phone I made sure that Ken said I love you first this time.

A few days before Thanksgiving, Ken’s unit came back to Washington State. We spent a few weeks together there (that is where I lived and where we had met) and then his unit went back to their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. I flew out a few days before his unit so I could be a part of their homecoming at the armory.

Ken's Army National Guard Unit's Homecoming - December 2003

Over the next month we spent dating and getting to know each other in person. We also drove out to where I grew up so Ken could meet my parents and to ask my dad for my hand in marriage. Then on December 20 he proposed to me in front of the Redlands LDS Temple.

We got engaged in front of the Redlands LDS Temple - December 2003

In February 2004 we where married for time and eternity in the LDS Las Vegas Temple. It was a beautiful and special ceremony. I will never forget the look on Ken’s face when he saw me in my wedding dress for the first time. It was of pure love. Before our reception we had a ring ceremony for those who could not join us in the temple. We had one of Ken’s friend perform the ceremony for us and he read the poem, “The Hands of the Bride and Groom.” Then he talked about a temple marriage and what it means to those of us in the LDS church.

Married and Sealed in the Las Vegas LDS Temple - February 2004

We included the poem below because in reading it recently we realized how well it outlined our life especially the last part. It also describes perfectly the relationship we have built.

The Hands of the Bride and Groom

Kim, please face Ken, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb.

These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Ken, please hold Kim’s hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands, smooth, young, and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurts, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it’s time to let go.

These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings, after you’ve both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

They are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life.

Perhaps these are the hands that will comfort you when you are told you cannot have a child, and will convince you that together you will create new life in other ways.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together, as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Our ring ceremony held in the chapel of our church building