I’ve mentioned before that my brothers and a few of you call me Jenny… so one day I get a text from Jake that’s like, “Guess where we are…. JC Jenny!” I didn’t get it at first, but he was referring to JC Penny. So once I caught on I couldn’t stop laughing – its super clever – right?! Right!
You heard the story of Green Tie… and now it’s time to continue on with Jc Jenny!
Eloping.
One night, back in August JC and I went to dinner with some friends. The entire night JC kept looking at me all cute and we were definitely showing every sign possible that we were crazy in love with each other. After dinner, we got back to my parents and sat there talking about anything and everything. All of a sudden JC says… “Marry me… let’s go elope.” WHAT?! Totally caught me off guard and I thought he was kidding. He then proceeded to say some of the most amazing things of why he wanted to marry me. I’ll I could say was, “You don’t want to marry me!” But, he did! The night went on of him insisting we get married, eloping. I would say OK, and then no, followed by our parents will kill us… Finally it got to the point we were looking at flights and Bed & Breakfasts in Washington and planning out our adventure.
Before I get any further… eloping sounded like something fun and crazy to do. Selfish some would say. But we were completely fine with a ceremony of only us, no big production, and making it small and intimate in our own special way. We had talked many times about the process of a temple divorce and knew it could either go quickly or take a long time- depending on how everyone participates and their willingness to cooperate. So it was decided it’d be easier to get married and deal with the process after. We would be sealed to each other one way or another.
Well, a week or so went by, we had prayed about getting married to each other, that answer was a yes. We planned to talk to the Bishop a couple days before our secret departure date to ask what he thought about a civil marriage vs. waiting for the temple. As he put it- we need to do what’s best for us and waiting a year for clearance may not be the way to go. We walked out of the meeting like… “Well, he didn’t say NOT to have a civil marriage…”
The next morning I go upstairs and my mom starts talking to me. Again, no one knew our plans. I asked her what she thought of a civil marriage vs. waiting on the cancellation. She then goes into… “Your dad and I have discussed this – we both feel it would be best to do it civil. We don’t know how long the process will take or if he will even cooperate. And we want to pay for a full wedding… wouldn’t want you eloping or anything.”
Mom’s….. How do they know these things?! I guess I can compare it to this morning when Wallie had to pee at 4:00 AM and JC didn’t hear him but I was up at his first cry. I even told him it’s a “Mother’s Instinct”.
So – after telling JC what my mom said, we were both blown away she made the comment and the eloping got put off for the reason of our parents not being angry with us for the next year or so.
Two proposals.
To me, that night in August was his real proposal of asking me to marry him. It was amazing. I remember feeling the spirit so strong, confirming every word that he said. As he stared directly into my eyes, I could see the sincerity and the love beaming out of his eyes. It was all I needed to know that this man really loves me, and will always love me.
The ‘official’ proposal with the ring happened in October, the day we were taking our ‘Pre-Wedding Pictures’. He had called me that morning and told me that he had bad news… the ring still wasn’t done and it wouldn’t be here for the pictures that evening. I told him it was perfectly fine. As long as he was there- it’s all I would need.
We get to the Capital Building so I can change into my dress – he was outside with the photographer and blind folded. I didn’t want him to see me until I was right in front of him. When he pulled the mask off… he had the best reaction! Shalise captured video of it all and I’m so glad I have that moment to always go back on. It was priceless! He was blown away by my beauty… Hahaha- I can say that, right? That day I did look pretty amazing… not to sound snooty. But he deserves a pretty lady every now and again!
Anyways. Next thing I know he’s holding both my hands and comes in close. Starts telling me how beautiful I am, how much he loves me, how he wants to be the one to always be there for me, the most wonderful words anyone has ever said to me. He’s amazing. After pouring out his heart, he says, “Jennifer Ashley Buhler…” drops down to his knee, pulls out the most beautiful and elegant ring and asks me to marry him!
Obviously I was going to say yes, come on; I’m standing IN MY WEDDING DRESS! But he definitely surprised me and I didn’t know it was coming. It was perfect. He’s perfect!
I said “You betcha!” and we kissed. I called him a dirty liar… followed by, “How convenient… I’m in a wedding dress!” Isn’t that sweet?
Oh I just love it. That story cracks me up and I couldn’t love ‘our story’ any more. Both moments were absolutely perfect and couldn’t feel more blessed to have this amazing man in my life!
