The Love Story Continues....

The cute boy (have you figured out it's Jonas) and the sixteen year old (thats me) continued writing each other during the two years of Joe's mission. Actually, I did most of the writing. Jonas got letters out....occasionally. I think my mom heard plenty of whining and complaining from me that Jonas had forgotten about me or "why wasn't he writing?" Just to see me a few days later ecstatic because I had FINALLY received a letter from him! What a roller coaster those two years were!


I did date while Jonas was on his mission. I had fun going to all the High School dances and going on other dates during the time Jonas was gone. I never dated anyone exclusivly though. After graduation I started working full time at Certified Warehouse. I actually have really fun memories of working in a warehouse. I was the only person who worked in the office but the warehouse workers were fun and I really enjoyed being at work.


In August of 1996 I got a phone call from Joe's mom, Kathy, who told me Jonas had been diagnosed with diabetes and was in the hospital in Argentina. She told me he would be coming home in one week. I remember feeling unsure of myself and not really knowing how to react. I was expecting him home in October and hearing he would be home on August 21st was strange. I was so unprepared for this news! I remember I had gone on some fun dates with someone recently and was thinking, "Wait!!! Jonas can't come home!! I need to keep dating this other guy to see how things will turn out for us. I am supposed to have until October before I see Jonas again!"  If you can't tell, I was really nervous for him to come home and totally didn't know what to expect. It had been TWO years! I was graduated from High School and working a full time job. When he left I was just starting my junior year. I was confused. I was nervous.


So the day arrived. I went to the airport with my mom and two youngest sisters. I think I mentioned this in another post, but I remember hiding behind one of Joe's friends when he came out of the gate. I didn't want to be the center of attention so I let his family and friends hug him before he saw me. Everyone had their turn and then it was mine. I had envisioned this hug for two years. No, Yanni was not playing over the sound system (because that is the music I always listened to when I envisioned this hug) and it wasn't slow motion with joyful laughing and crying and he did not swing me around in a circle saying he missed me and would never leave me again. No. It was none of those things I had envisioned. But it felt really good to hug him again and I was so happy he was home safe and sound. He had lost lots of weight from being so sick and he looked very tired. But he was home! Two years had gone by and here we were. Now. The question on my mind. Would things be the same???

Here is the "magical" first hug I dreamed about for two years

Elder Webster has returned!

1996

 These two pictures of Jonas and his younger brother Tyler make me laugh. Tyler had a HUGE growth spurt while Jonas was gone!

1994

I won't make you wait as long for the next chapter. Maybe I will even write it tomorrow. But I should really get to bed.