Story time

Good evening, friends. I thought tonight would be a good night for story time. Ready?
Let's go back a few years to the summer of 2007. I had just turned eighteen, graduated high school, was having my first experience being in a YSA ward and looking forward to my first semester of university. And oh yeah, I didn't fit in -- anywhere. I still felt really young in my ward and around my friends who were all at least a year older than me, but I also didn't fit in with my friends that were a year or two younger than me because I felt too old. I was excited for what the next few years of my life would have to offer, but I had no idea what life had in store for me. Previous to the summer, I had registered to attend EFY (a youth program put on by the church) in August. I had only had the chance to attend two other times, so I thought I would want to go one last time. As the date grew closer, I was excited, but was feeling afraid that I would be the oldest one there, or a loner because all of my friends in my stake were attending the week after. But, I thought it would still be a good opportunity for me and that I could at least have a good spiritual experience if I couldn't have a social one.
August 6 2007 came, and there I was white EFY shirt in hand, room key and butterflies in my stomach to keep me company. I had no roommate that year, because she didn't show up, so my loneliness was only expanded. And then we met as a group and I met my Fisher ladies. I felt a little better, and could see that I might have a good week. Then, my favourite part of the week came -- meeting the boys. I was not looking for Prince Charming as I had the two years previous, but was excited to meet more people. Looking back on that day, I feel like I should have had a feeling that my life was about to change, but I didn't. So, as we come to meet our boys, we turn the corner and there they are, ready to escort us to our company spot. I was first in the line, and this cute boy extends his arm to me. I wish I could remember that moment with greater clarity, but I didn't know how important it would become. I learned that this boy was named Justin and happened to know my distant cousins who live just outside of Edmonton. I didn't think much of that, but was glad to have someone to talk to. Justin was really easy to talk to, and super sweet. Over the next few days, we somehow bonded and then pow! I realized I kind of had a thing for this guy -- even though he was a year younger than me! Yikes. (It seemed like a big deal back then).
So, after a week of beginning a friendship, I knew that I liked him and wanted to keep in contact. And lucky for me, I have a brother living in Edmonton so I thought maybe we would be able to go on a date -- which he suggested at one point during the week. Each day after that week, I made an effort to send Justin a message on facebook. That "kind of like" that I was feeling on Saturday morning as we said goodbye turned into definitely like!
We went on our first date on September 22, 2007 and continued to go on a date every month after that. I am so glad, so so glad that I met Justin that day. Sitting here today, nearly three years later, I can't even remember what my life was like before I met him. I often forget that I haven't known him all my life -- and I kind of love that.

Here we are on banquet night at EFY. It's a good thing we had fewer guys in our group than girls and were able to convince Justin that he could take me as well as Laura. Oh, young Kristi. If only you could see how amazing your future would be!

I hope you enjoyed the story, friends. I might have to make this a regular thing. I love story time.