Day 15

Reason #15
Okay, so I have a confession to make. Because of my perfect pitch, I would have a really hard time if my husband was tone deaf. Of course I always told myself that I could handle it and make it work if that turned out to be the case, but I'm so grateful Robbie can sing. He is actually really good at carrying a tune and is such a good sport singing opening songs for FHE with me. I love singing next to him in church on Sundays, I love hearing him sing along in the car, and I can't wait to hear him sing in the shower :)

What a hunk.

Day 16

Reason #16
As we approach our wedding and continue to make to-do list after to-do list, I am reminded of how hard Robbie can work. This boy knows how to work and get stuff done! I love that his parents helped instill that in him. I've seen him work day after day at his job, and then come home and work night after night at the apartments he manages. He does manual labor like a champ, but he is also so committed to putting the work into our relationship. He'll work hard for anything that's worth it, and I'm glad our relationship is worth it to him :)

I love this boy!

Day 17

Reason #17
Robbie is a TON of fun and I'm pretty sure the level of fun in my life has increased exponentially since we met. Robbie's adventurous, care-free (in a good way) and witty attitude make living life with him a total blast. Back in September, I invited him to a fall party my roommates and I were having. I remember one point where everyone there spent like 30 minutes listening to Robbie make prank calls. He was hilarious and very entertaining. Robbie is so fun to be around and I can always count on having a good time when I'm with my him.

I am one blessed girl.

See what I mean?

Day 18

Reason #18
When life gets crazy busy (as in right now), it's easy to let stress affect you negatively. Something I love about Robbie is that he able to maintain a positive attitude. No one is perfect at this, but Robbie does such a good job. He helps me get excited about today and the days ahead, always looking for reasons for us to stay positive. One of his trademark phrases is, "It's all good!" He inspired me to see all of the good this life has to offer.

I am so blessed.

My  positive, happy fiance!

Day 19

Reason #19
Back in February or March, Robbie and I were driving home from Salt Lake City. We were chatting in Robbie's truck and were just enjoying being with each other. We had mentioned marriage maybe once or twice before, but I wasn't in a position (okay, I was terrified) to talk more about it. However, Robbie spent the rest of the drive home doing something that he does so often and is so dang attractive to me. He dreamed. Out loud. He talked about his dreams for his future (I came up here or there, haha) and expressed his excitement for wonderful things to come. I don't know if he was planning to use this tactic to woo me, but it certainly worked! This is now one of our favorite things to do together. We dream out loud about our future as husband and wife, as parents, as grandparents. We love it!

What a hunk.

Day 20

Our original moving plans were for me to move in with my cousin's family in south Provo, and for Robbie to move into our new apartment. Well, I spent two nights at my home in Lindon and felt SO good about being there. Originally we thought that the extra commute to my work and the extra commute to see each other would just make things too hard, but we realized that the benefit of me feeling so good emotionally was totally worth it. Staying at my home would make it lots easier to plan with my mom these last few weeks before the wedding, plus my stress levels went way down once I was home. It's amazing what being at home can do for your soul. I love it and it's the best moving decision we made :)

Reason #20
Robbie has learned a lot from his great parents, Bob and Dayna. One thing I'm extremely grateful to them for is teaching Robbie how important callings in the Church are. When Robbie receives a calling, he completely dedicates himself to that calling. He understands the growth that can come from having a calling, so he gives it his all. I love that he is respectful to those he is called to serve with, and then goes and serves with all of his heart. I can't wait to serve in the Church with him.

What a hunk.

Day 21--Moving Day

Reason #21
Today is moving day...kind of dreadful, right? Not when you get to move to the same place your fiance is moving to! Holla! I'm so excited :) Robbie was such a help today. We parted ways at 2:00 a.m. after spending the night cleaning, packing, and taking loads over to our new place. It worked out perfectly for me to do a lot of the cleaning while he carried everything out to his truck. Guys, he is super strong and I love that. I love that he can carry me so easily. Sometimes he'll just throw me around and we see what cool dancing moves we can do. So fun! One day he might be as strong as I am ;) Sometimes we like to see how far I can carry him on my back. Hahaha now that's funny.

What a hunk.

Day 22

Reason #22

When I started liking Robbie, I did all I could to be with him. On one particular occasion, I had heard that he was a handy man. I wanted to hang a large picture of Christ in my room, but I didn't have a hammer or a nail. Ding! I could call Robbie! So I did :) He brought over his hammer, nails, manliness, and pounded those suckers into the wall. I was impressed and grateful and liked him even more after that. There have been a myriad of occasions when he has come to the rescue to fix, install, or put together something.

I love that Robbie is such a handy man. He is incredibly knowledgeable in how things work and how to put things together. I sure am lucky!

What a hunk.

Day 23

Reason #23
I bet you didn't know Robbie is a chef. Well, he is. There is NO one else I know that has mac 'n cheese mastered like he does. Literally, he has it down to an art and I love when we occasionally make it and he just takes over. He also made me really delicious black bean enchiladas a few months ago. Once in a while, he'll say that he is going to make me dinner, and then surprises me with delicious things! Just last week, he said he wanted to take care of dinner. He ended up serving a salad bar, which is pretty amazing if you know him. Robbie isn't a huge fan of salad...or celery...or tomatoes...or a lot of other vegetables. But he knew that I love salad and wanted to make me happy. Seriously, he is amazing. He happily ate salad with me (his was mostly chicken with some lettuce on top, haha) and I loved every second of it!!

What a hunk.

Day 24

I think that one reason I was super nervous for school to start was because I didn't know if I knew how to teach anymore. Silly, I know, but I really wondered. I questioned my abilities and if I had learned what I needed to learn as a first-year teacher last year. I expressed these concerns to Robbie and he did all he could to boost my confidence. Well, the first day of school came (yesterday), the bell rang, and the minute I stepped outside my door to greet my kids I automatically switched to teacher mode. What a relief!

Reason #24

This whole question of my capabilities happens probably too often, but each time it does Robbie tunes right in and does just what needs to be done to boost my confidence. I love that Robbie gives me confidence and believes in me and all I'm trying to do (especially as a teacher). It's amazing the power he has over me...in a good way of course. His faith in me goes such a long way and helps me be a better person.

What a hunk.

Day 25

Well, I survived the first day of school! Such a relief. I woke up multiple times during the night and finally rolled about of bed at 5:30. I showered, got ready, made my lunch, and left at 6:45. As I was walking down the stairs, I heard the beep of my car code to get in in the door. Robbie! I debated whether to pretend that I hadn't heard him, or keep going and get to see him before I left. I chose the latter and caught him in the act of putting a note inside my car. I gave him a big hug, kiss, and he sent me on my way. Being able to see Robbie was seriously the best way I could have started out my day. I cannot wait until we are married and I get to see him every morning. I got to school and read the note before I headed inside. It was super sweet and probably one of the best he's written (and he's written a lot!). His words gave me hope for the day and increased my confidence level so much. I love him and was so grateful for that extra boost that I really needed.

Reason #25
Robbie has written me more notes than I can count. Now, these are not just little notes. They are one page (sometimes two) double-sided notes with small handwriting. Boy does he know how to woo through his writing! He'll leave me notes in my car, on my windshield, in my scriptures, etc. His notes brighten my day! Robbie is definitely inspired because his notes always come on days when I need them. I am so so lucky.

What a hunk.

Day 26

School starts tomorrow and, to be honest, I was a complete wreck tonight. I felt like my fun life was completely ending, and that starting tomorrow I was going to be cooped up doing something I didn't even like. I feared I had forgotten how to teach and wouldn't be able to handle the kids. It was bad and at about 9:30 I couldn't hold the tears in any longer.

Bless Robbie. He was so sweet about everything and just held me and said just the right things. He wiped my tears away, rubbed my back, gave me a blessing, and even stayed until I was all ready for bed. I literally survived last night because of him. I felt so strengthened after he left, and he made me promise that if I had another crying spell I'd call him (thankfully, I haven't...yet).

This all ties into Reason #26. Robbie has such a kind heart and blesses so many lives because of it. He wants to help others be happy, and he is really good at knowing what to do to help people get there. He gives the BEST pep talks and is so generous in his encouragement. I am marrying such a kind man.

What a hunk.

Day 27

Today begins the first of four bridal showers. Can you believe that? People are so incredibly generous. Robbie and I are so blessed to know and love so many wonderful people.
Tonight is basically my last night of Summer, which totally boggles my mind. Honestly, the thought makes me totally panic, but things are going to be just fine. Robbie reminds me of that every day, and I am very thankful for that. Deep breaths.

Reason #27
One of the first things that attracted me to Robbie was his sense of humor. When I first spent time with him at his cabin, he made me laugh like I hadn't in a long time. For me, humor just adds a level of comfort to any situation, so instantly I was comfortable around Robbie. He felt like an instant friend. Today, he continues to make me laugh every single day. He makes jokes and I laugh at all of his jokes, so obviously we make a perfect couple. I can always count on Robbie to make me giggle like a little girl. Man, he makes me smile.

What a hunk.

There you have it. This is us every single day.

Day 28

Oh, Friday. We LOVE Fridays! Robbie has a short work day, and when I'm in school Fridays are early out days. We also both love staying up late, so Fridays are fun because we don't have to be as strict with our bedtime. I'm so excited to be with him tonight.

Reason #28
Let me tell you a little something about myself. I get stressed easily and I let that stress affect my overall mood. I am aspiring to be one of those people that just lets things in life roll of their backs. Robbie has helped me a lot with that goal. He is extremely good at calming me down and helping me see the bigger picture. He'll encourage me to tell him everything I'm feeling, and then he'll just hold me and listen to me. After a bit, he'll tell me that everything is going to be fine and gives me reasons why :) Sometimes all I need is someone to remind me that everything is going to be okay, that all will work out. I love that he will just stop me mid freak-out and help me calm down and not be unrealistic. Every girl needs some of that.
To sum it up, Robbie is amazing at reminding me of the bigger picture. How I adore him!

What a hunk.

Day 29

Well, we've reached the point of no return. Tonight is Back to School Night at the good ol' C.S. Lewis Academy. It's been a pretty busy day today getting our classrooms all set up, modifying parent volunteer forms, printing out supply lists, etc. Gotta make those parents happy! :) Robbie has been working super hard at Specialized as well. Man, I'm so grateful for him and all of his hard work.

Reason #29
One day a couple years ago, I was talking to my cousin Jenica about her relationship with her husband, Josh. She told me that expressing gratitude for every little thing your spouse does helps the relationship leaps and bounds. Her thought has always stuck with me and I began to notice that trait (whether it was there or not) in the people I dated. I got pretty lucky.
Robbie is very good at expressing his gratitude to me. He finds lots of reasons to say, "Rachel, thank you." I appreciate that so much! He is aware of my efforts and he inspires me to reciprocate and show gratitude to him every chance I get.

What a hunk.

Day 30--It's the Final Countdown!

Robbie and I are getting married 30 days from this very day. Ah! We are extremely excited, stressed, emotional (well, just me), and busy. I'm starting school on Monday and we are finishing last-month stuff for our wedding. I am staying sane because of Robbie, conference talks, prayer, goldfish crackers, thoughtful family and friends, rockin' music, and did I mention Robbie already? He is a total rockstar and keeps me anchored. These next 30 days of counting down are dedicated to me doing a quick update on our fun-filled and busy lives, as well as going into depth a little bit more about why I love Robbie.

Reason #30 (we're going backwards here, folks)
Robbie's family and friends are his #1. He will do ANYTHING for them. Since I am his bestie friend and will soon be part of his eternal family (can I get a "holla"?), I am the beneficiary of so many kind and thoughtful acts. He has dedicated his life to my happiness and tells me over and over that he is going to do everything possible to make sure I that am happy. Here are just a few of the little things he does to ensure my happiness.
1. He gives me piggy-back rides home from his apartment when I'm tired.
2. He rubs my back every time I mention something about it not feeling the best.
3. He makes me sit on the couch and relax while he does the dishes by himself.
4. He texts me all the time and asks, "Are you happy?"
5. He leaves me little notes on my car.

The list goes on and on.

Robbie has this incredible ability. He can tell whenever I am not at my happiest. He observes my body language, the words I say, how I look at him, etc. Whenever he senses something is up, he will stop whatever we're doing and say, "I can tell something is up. Can we talk about it?" It is truly amazing. I love him so much for that.

What a hunk.