it's a love story {part 5}

This series is turning into a novel! So if you don't want to read part 1, part 2, part 3, or part 4, I wouldn't blame you. But if you do, there you go :)

Part Five - First Date . . . or Second?

When we last left off, Russ and I were finally interacting more and we both knew that we liked each other. But he still hadn't asked me on a date! But sometime in early December, he finally remedied that. On a Thursday, he asked me if I would go stargazing with him on the coming Sunday evening. I was super excited :)

But in the meantime, he kind of asked me on a different first date, but I didn't really know it. He texted me on Saturday morning, asking if I wanted to go on "a walk" with him. Fully loving every minute spent with him, I readily agreed!

But let's be clear--it wasn't a walk. It was a hike. Which isn't a big deal, except that hiking through rocky places requires different shoes than those used to walk on the nicely paved sidewalks I had anticipated. Toms=Not the right shoes for a hike.

But anyway. We walked (hiked) and talked, and it was fun getting to know him better. One specific thing I remember talking about was his career choice. His dad is a pilot, so he spent most of his childhood wanting to be a pilot as well. However, while he was on his mission, he realized that he didn't want the life of a pilot; he wanted to be able to be home with his family every night. It was quite endearing to hear that he changed his career path so that he could spend more time at home :)

Throughout the whole hike, I was dying for him to hold my hand. He even helped me climb up somewhere, but after helping me, he released my hand. I was a little disappointed, but I decided I could be more patient :)

I have no pictures of this first adventure together, but I do have a video reenactment! The following video was made my brother for our engagement video. The first half of it is what we did on this first date. [Minus all the kissing and holding hands, of course ;)]

Later that night (after our hike), we had our ward Christmas party. Russ and I definitely weren't anything official yet, but we did spend the evening sitting by each other and talking to each other. After the party, most of our FHE group went country dancing, but Russ didn't want to do that, so we went back to his apartment to watch Lie to Me instead. After sitting by each other for nearly two. whole. episodes, he finally held my hand. And I was so happy! :) Holding hands for the first time is one of my favorite things ever, because the first time is just different from every time after that. It's much more involved and butterfly-inducing. Idk, I probably sound crazy, but you get the idea.

The next day was our first "official" date--the stargazing. I started out thinking "there is no way I will kiss him tonight; it's just too soon." But when we were up the canyon, cuddling on blankets, looking at stars, and talking to each other, I was dying for him to kiss me. I kept trying to convince him--by getting closer, and moving my face closer to his, etc., but he definitely didn't take the bait. For which I'm so glad--but more about that later.

He just cuddled with me, and kept talking to me, and it was wonderful. He definitely left me wanting more :)

Are you wanting more? Well, that's too bad . . . you'll have to wait til next Wednesday! :)

**ashleynicole