A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Alrighty, y'all, I'm just saying this now, I'm pretty sure Hollander is the man of my dreams! *sigh* I die to death! (In a good way!) He took me on a date last night because he's headed to his parent's house for Father's Day today and I swanee! I swoon whenever I see him! I have a hard time breathing sometimes! I just, I can't even! And I know this all sounds familiar, but it's the truth!!

The date. Let me just say that he is more like a dream than reality. I sometimes pinch myself to make sure I'm awake! He came over to pick me up and instead of heading to his car he took my hand and we went for a walk. I was a little surprised, especially since I was wearing ballet flats, not walking shoes. And I was wearing this gorgeous white dress with this blue printed floral design on the edges. It kind of reminded me of the Dutch Delft blue pottery, only in my gorgeous spring dress that I found on sale the other day and nearly died and HAD to buy it. But that's neither here nor there, and it definitely has nothing to do with the actual date.

So, we're walking away from my apartment building and we're about a block away when he turns down another street. I look back at my apartment, confused.

"It's just a little further" He tells me and tugs gently at my hand, so I keep going. I have walked all over Provo, and I had never noticed the small park two blocks from my apartment! But Hollander did! And he had this beautiful picnic all set up! We sat on this gorgeous hand quilted blanket that looked like it had been passed down from generation to generation since about the pioneers. It was worn, but sturdy. The colors had long since faded, but I knew it had been loved. And I couldn't help wondering how long Hollander had kept this blanket, and why we were sitting on it. But, we sat down and he had made a simple picnic of sandwiches and chips and fruit and capri sun drinks! And fruit snacks! I felt like a kid again! And then after we ate we ran over to the swing set and he pushed me so I could go so high! We were laughing so hard, guys. I LOVED every minute of it! I can't even. He's just so perfect.

And then, after the swinging, we just sat there and talked. He's the oldest of five kids. He's from Park City. When he was a kid he wanted to be a fire fighter, and then a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and now he's going to be an accountant. There is a sincerity in his eyes that I can't get past. I love it. I love him, but not like LOVE love him....YET. *sigh*

And when he walked me home, we stood outside my apartment door on the third floor and continued talking for a while longer and just before he said goodbye, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and then HE KISSED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even explain how amazing it was! It was just a simple but beautiful kiss and I loved it! I don't think I've ever been kissed like that, y'all. It was magical! Like, life altering magical!

And, we're going out again on Tuesday. I can't even wait!! I'll keep you posted on the deets as they come!!

Night, y'all!!!

Adventures in Dating

Hey y'all!!! I have THE MOST AMAZING story to tell ya!!  I'm not even kidding. Oh. My. Gosh. Okay. Guys. Hollander. He came over to my apartment the other day just to say hi. He said he saw me and Kyla out on our balcony (we're on the third floor) and wanted to get to know us better. And by us, I'm pretty sure he meant ME. I died to death. He is the man of my dreams.  MAN. OF. MY. DREAMS.!!!!!!! *sigh!!!!* oh my gosh!!! I can barely even talk I'm so excited.

So then, after he left and asked if he could come over again and I can't even remember if I spoke words, I was so twitter-patted by him.

So, a few days later, I was by the pool just working on my tan and loving my chevron patterned swim suit that I just bought. Totes adorbs, you know, and I was about to jump into the pool, and I was so glad I didn't because just as I stood, Hollander walked through the gate. I didn't even see his face when I just had this thought 'you could totes marry him'. And I could. He has a great tan that I hadn't noticed before and is really well built. He's got a six pack. I almost fainted when I saw him. And then, AND THEN, he came over by me. I was waiting for him to say hi, but I don't think he saw me because he stopped before he even got half way across the pavement. I thought I was going to die. His friend had just gotten out of the pool and they were talking. I'm so glad I didn't say anything, I would have felt like such an idiot. I was about to dive in the deep end when I heard people running behind me and then next thing I know, I feel someone's hands around my waist and then I was in the pool.
     When I finally came back up I heard guys laughing. I turned to glare and yell at whoever had just ruined my perfect dive and there he was again. Laughing. This is my rendition of the conversation that followed:
     "What are you laughing about?!?!?!?!?!!!"
     "ha ha ha ha ha, you were surprisingly easy to get in the pool!"
     "I was about dive in and you ruined my dive!!"
     "Yeah, but you didn't fight me."
     "Oh my gosh, why are guys so ridiculous?!?!?!"
     "C'mon, it was fun and you know it. Besides, you were already beside the pool, I figured I'd help you out."
     I give him a scathing look, and he pretends to be hurt.
     "Okay, okay, I'm sorry I pulled you in to the pool. I was just trying to have fun. But I am really glad you're here because I wanted to ask you something."
     All frustration and anger are gone. His baby blue eyes are sparkling. SPARKLING. I thought that was just a figure of speech, but it's not.
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?"
"Sure" I said instantaniously. Eat your heart out, Jessica. #iwin #gorgeous #icanteven

And guys. The date. OH.EM.GEE. He said that his roommates were having a movie night, but he wanted to take me to dinner first. I was so excited.

I looked amazing! I wore my favorite skinny jeans and this great polka dot top. I found my favorite pair of strappy sandals that matched perfectly! I did that whole beachy waves loose curl with my hair that looked GREAT. I was totes adorbs. #dontbejelly #totesadorbs #socute
I put on some shimmery lip gloss as I heard a knock on the door. EEK! He was there to pick me up!!

And there he was. Hollander. And his smile made me melt. I just. I can't even. And he took me to Los Hermanos for dinner, which is the best mexican food place around. I love their food. And I loved talking to him. And I don't even remember what movie we watched after because I just loved hanging out with him. And at the end of the date, he walked me home and kissed my hand and said he'd come by the next day, which was yesterday, and he did and that's a whole different story, though. In a totes good way. Ahhhh!!! It's been the most amazing summer of my entire life and it's only JUNE!!!

Deets That May Be Helpful

So, I should probably tell y'all a little bit about living in Utah. I  LOVE it here!! I attend Brigham Young University (BYU) but Kyla, Jax and Shelly all go to Utah Valley University (UVU). It's different here than anywhere else, I promise.

 I'm going to try and explain things that someone who hasn't grown up around here might not understand. First of all, I'm a Mormon (the nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), and if this is a problem then I'd recommend you not continue with this blog because I am very happy with my religion and way of life. I won't dwell on this a lot, but it will come up from time to time given where I live and the culture here.
     As a member of the LDS faith, I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke or do drugs. I don't swear. I don't sleep around. I live by the guidelines outlined by my church and they can be found here!! I don't watch R rated movies. I do dance!! I LOVE to bake cupcakes!! I like to try my hand at crafty projects I find on Pinterest!!
     I am the oldest of four girls. I love my sisters!! They sometimes drive me crazy, but it's so much fun!! My younger sister Karlee just left for a mission!! She is serving in Long Beach, CA and I miss her so much!! Any ideas on great packages to send her are always appreciated!! Karlee is my best friend, we were going to room together this fall, but she went on a mission instead and I am so excited for her!! It's the opportunity of a lifetime!! I sometimes think about going, but I want to finish my degree first!! I am getting my Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science and I can't wait to get married and be a mom and raise my kids one day!! I am currently searching for my very own Knight in Shining Armor to come along and sweep me off my feet. That's partly why I chose to stay here this summer instead of moving back home for a few months. I kind of wanted to see what it was like when most people aren't in school and stuff. I like it so far, I have great room mates!! My ward (or the congregation I meet with on Sundays) is AMAZING!!! There's a lot more guys than girls, which I am fine with!!

Fellas

So, my adorbs roommate Kyla totally met this guy in the grocery store a few weeks ago and now they're dating and I can't even tell you how adorably cute they are. Like, so so cute. *sigh*. And we all worried she'd never find anyone.

I think it's because he's persistent. His name is Nick. He's a business major that still has a year and a half left. He drives a nice car and dresses real nice. I hope they get married. They'd have the most adorable children.

Speaking of men, I went to a gathering of like minded individuals the other night and there was a new guy there. I think his name is Hollander. He is tall with sandy blonde hair and these gorgeous blue eyes. I swanee! I saw him from across the crowd and I swear time stood still. And then he looked over at me. And then he smiled and winked. And I don't remember what happened after that. I think my face went red and I probably looked away. And then, after the prayer, he came over to where I was standing. And, guys, he said hi!! #omg #lifegoals #bucketlist #manofmydreams.

I can't even. Seriously. I can't. He is so amazingly handsome. And then he walked away. And that little tart, Jessica, she was practically throwing herself at him. Well, throwing herself as much as a girl does in Utah. Which means she is hanging on his arm and laughing at, like, everything he says. Ugh. Some girls don't know when to stop. And I just hope that the moment we shared lasts beyond that glance. I know it did for me.

The Roomies

Hey y'all!! So, I just wanted to write a little bit about me and my roomies today! So, my name is Raleigh, as previously mentioned, and I live with my two best friends Shannon and Kyla. And we have three other room mates Katelyn, Shelly, and Jax.

I grew up in North Carolina and decided to come out to BYU after I graduated high school. All of my family is back in NoCo, but that's okay because I LOVE it here! I am getting my degree in Interior Design and also love to bake cupcakes. Pinterest is my current addiction and I can't get enough of it.

I'm SUPER obsessed with the TV show Once Upon A Time and am totally loving all the #captainswan storyline. #sorrynotsorry.

Shannon and Kyla moved in together. Kyla is from California and we three have been roommates for about six months. Shannon is from Idaho, so we sometimes go up to her family's potato farm on the weekends. Yes, they really do grow potatoes!!

Kyla grew up about two hours away from LA and lives, like, right next to the ocean. Okay, not, like RIGHT next to the ocean, but close. Like, a few miles away? I think? Probably. Any way, She is going into nursing and is always studying. I don't think she's been on a date the entire time I've lived with her, but not for a lack of trying! Guys are ALWAYS asking her out. It's super cute. Until she turns them down. And then they're souls are crushed. Poor guys. But that's when Shannon chimes in and cheers them up again.

I don't think I can recall the last time Shannon did NOT have a date on a Friday or Saturday evening. That girl dates all the boys. And can never settle on just one. Shannon is going into psychology and is super great at reading people. It's crazy how well she knows me sometimes. But I love her for it!! She's so so great!!

Jax is probably our most mysterious roommate. Mostly because she's an introvert and doesn't come out and socialize with us very often. But she does come out occasionally and I love talking to her. She is an art history major and wants to work at The Met one day. I think she'll make it there. She's wonderfully amazing. She's super quiet, but if you can get her to open up, she's has the sweetest spirit. And I mean that in the literal sense, not the "sweet spirit" sense. haha.

Katelyn and Shelly are sisters and they do everything together. I think half of their classes are the same. And the other half are always close by. Katelyn is undeclared at the moment but leaning towards Physics. I think she'd do great as a physicist. She's so so smart. Like, unbelievably smart. Love her.

I'm pretty sure Shelly is going into Elementary Education and wants to teach kindergarten. Wouldn't that be, like, the sweetest thing ever? #totesadorbs #teacherslife She's so so so good with kids. She's going to change the world someday, I just know it!!!!

Any way, that's us in a nutshell!!! Can't wait to tell you more about our lives here in Apartment 314!!

Hey Y'all

Hey e'erybody!! My name is Raleigh (it's pronounced Riley). I had this crazy idea that a blog could be fun! I just want to write about the ups and downs of college life with me and my room mates. I live in the heart of Provo, UT in an all girls apartment with five roommates. Summer is in full swing and I can't wait to get to know y'all a little better!!!

Any way, it's off to the pool for me!! Talk to you soon!!

Love Ya!!
Raleigh *hugs*