I remember at 30

I remember at 30 when Brett “claimed” me at church.

I’d pretty much outgrown singles’ wards before I graduated BYU. They might be a good fit for some people, but they are not for everyone, and definitely not for me. When I moved to Arizona I decided to give them one more shot though. I said six months, my mom told me to give it a year. Fifty-two Sundays later I switched to a regular ward and I was much more comfortable there.

However, there were some interesting experiences in the singles’ ward in Arizona. Brett and I were in the same ward, and some people could tell we knew each other and were friendly, but we were NOT the couple making out on the back row during services (and yes, there was at least one couple that would do that). In fact, we never even touched when we were at church or church activities, as far as anyone knew. We might hold hands under folded arms during a prayer or he’d touch me on the back when he’d walk past, but that was it.

Our bishop even asked me towards the end of that year if things worked between Brett and I physically, implying that perhaps that was the reason he and I hadn’t gotten together yet. That’s an odd question to get from a church leader. To me that meant we were being appropriate with our displays of affection (church is not a place to make out!!). It also meant whispers and gossip was kept at a minimum.

However on my last Sunday in the ward, things changed. During the first hour meeting Brett put his arm around my shoulders. We did that all the time elsewhere. But NEVER at church before. I actually sat there wondering if he knew what he’d done, if he was aware of what he was doing, and if he’d figure it out and move his arm back. So I sat very very still. And then he did it again in Sunday School the next hour! That definitely wasn’t a mistake.

It actually felt that in a way he was “claiming” me and telling all the other guys to leave me alone and that I was his. That was a fun feeling, and I didn’t mind in the least.

I did find it interesting that he waited till I was leaving the ward to do that. He says that was deliberate. That way if things didn’t work out between us then we wouldn’t have to deal with everyone in the ward making a big deal about it.

It was later that month that he told me we were dating and I was his girl friend. And before I turned 31 we were engaged. Looks like things did work out. At least I hope this is what he’d call things “working out.” 😉  :kiss:

Turning 30 was great. My 30s are so much better than my 20s were.