Easy as pie

The Story How We Met 

When people ask us how we met, we usually just say that Brad was my home teacher. But, that's the short version. This is how it really went down.

Three things brought Brad and me together.

Home teaching

Pecan Pie

And Facebook. 

In that order.

We've been married for a little over 9 months now and started talking about the beginning of our relationship the other night. Let me give you a quick recap.

I moved in to the same BYU ward as Brad in August, 2011. A few months after moving in, Brad was assigned as one of my home teachers. (hallelujah!) I distinctly remember the first time he and his companion came to teach my roommate and me. He was wearing a suit and was looking finnne.

You would feel the same way if this walked in to your living room.

This sounds creepy now, but since we're married, I'm allowed to say that I was smitten from the beginning. When he first walked in to our apartment, I knew that he was someone I wanted to get to know. After they left that first night, I remember telling my roommate, Christie, that I was excited about my hot, new home teacher.

So, a few months went by and it finally happened. His companion (who happens to be a great cook) brought Pecan Pie to a lesson. Only problem is, I hate pie, and I soon found out that Brad felt the same way. After struggling to force my piece down, I looked over and saw that Brad was struggling too. In a brief moment, our eyes met and we connected.

Later that night after they left, I ran up the stairs and in to my room. My roommates Christie and Hilary were in there so we started talking and I explained that I had to do something. I needed to let him know that I was interested (especially since my roommate had mentioned in an earlier lesson that I was dating multiple guys at the time.) So, messaging him on Facebook was the best we could come up with. After 20 minutes of me changing the message (yes, it took me that long), THIS is what we came up with.

• Conversation started December 13, 2011
• 

  1:01am
  

  Julianna Earl
  

  
  

  We should go get pie some time. Because I know how much you love it, haha
  

  

  
  
  

That was sent after Christie had to push me away from the key board and push "send" since I was too chicken. Super clever, huh? I even included that exact picture of pie in the message. What. Was. I. Thinking?

And that's where it all started.

This life changing Facebook conversation continued over that entire Christmas break. You would be surprised how long it took us to get off the topic of pie and start talking about more exciting things. No joke, the next four messages were all about that stupid pie.

Eventually, we changed the subject and the flirting began.

• December 17, 2011
• 

  1:49am
  

  Bradley Earl
  

  
  

  That's always weird when the roommates leave and you have the place to yourself. Kinda fun though for a little bit. Yeah I haven't done much yet since I've been here maybe I should have stayed and chilled with you. We can hang out when we get back though

Is it necessary to describe how excited I was after seeing that message? No, you're right. It's not.

A few days later, we started to get to know each other better and he told me that his Senior Trip was a three week cross country "Church History Tour." Wait, what?

But, I thought you were cool?

Don't worry, he redeemed himself by saying that it wasn't his idea. Phew. 

A few messages later, I got the first taste of the Brad that I know and love today. After explaining that my family moved while I was in high school and I ended up graduating early to start BYU right away, Brad's response was:

• December 20, 2011
• 

  11:37pm
  

  Bradley Earl
  

  
  

  Well that's too bad. Senior trips are way sweet or inspiring and spiritual and kinda boring like mine haha. That's cool you graduated early though. People probably hear that and think you're smart huh? Just so you know I think that's cool but I don't automatically think that makes you smart. You seem smart though. Anyways, how much longer in Florida until you go to the steel city? Do they call it that?

Excuse me? Is this kid for real?

I let that one slide. 

As Christmas Eve approached, we started talking about each of our families' Christmas traditions. Brad went on to tell me that every Christmas, he and all of his siblings got to "hide from Santa" and watch him put out all of their presents. I told him that that tradition was a great idea and that maybe I'd do something like that for when I had kids. Only problem is, it resulted in Brad believing in Santa Claus until he was 14 years old.

Christmas break continued on and we messaged back and forth every day. Once we both got back to Provo, Brad made his move and asked for my number! He ended up asking me out the next day. 

I was so freakin' excited!!

Did I mention our first "date" was to a BYU Basketball game? With his friend Kale? (Don't worry, we ended up going out to dinner and a movie, just the two of us, after the game. But, I still like to tease him about it.) 

We've come a long way.