The October Incident

This year marks the 15th anniversary of what Tyler and I have always referred to as the October Incident. As soon as the air starts to cool, and there are signs of autumn all around, I can not help but remember this day in our dating history. Here's the story. Tyler had been home from his mission since December of 93/going to Weber State, and I was attending Dixie College for the 3rd year. (Yes I had already graduated and it was a two year school back then. I was just too scared to go to a big girl school at that time. Whole other story!) The Sadie Hawkins dance was just around the corner and since I was a member of the student council I had to go. At this time, the missionary I had sent off was due home in March of 95 and I was not really interested in dating. Kierste (BFF) and I were discussing our options and had planned to ask out some of our friend Matt's roommates. Kierste ended up asking Rick and they lived happily ever after - another story. A few weeks before the dance Tyler told me that he was coming down to SUU in Cedar and wondered if he could stop in. It was perfect - I told him that he had to come to the dance with me. A little history on Tyler and me. We met when we were in Junior High. I was 14 and he was 15. This is what we looked like.

We "went together" then dated until my Junior year and Tyler's Senior year. Tyler has been my best friend for a long time. I wrote to him on his mission and spent a lot of time with him when he came home, but nothing ever seemed to happen, so I figured we were just friends. I figured I could introduce him to Kierste and set them up.

Tyler agreed to go to the dance with me and I was relieved that I didn't have to ask anyone else. The night started out normally. We were happy to see each other and didn't stop talking. Then we got to the dance and innocently enough we held hands to go out to the dance floor. And that is when it happened. Electricity! Years of feelings came rushing back to both of us. We spent all night talking. We kissed for the first time after many years, and then Tyler went home. Poor Kierste and Cathi had to listen to me cry and dissect every minute of the night. By Thanksgiving we had said I love you, by Christmas we had talked about marriage, and on January 14th we got engage. I moved home after Spring Semester. We were married the next June. Our own happily ever after.

Sadie Hawkins 10/15/1994