Sure I could have taken classes while working (which I did) but it never got me anywhere. The thought of starting over and being able to attend school full time was the first thing that got me thinking about Utah. During my 2007 Memorial Day visit it was my little niece who stole my heart and sealed my decision to move. I have four other nieces but had never lived near any of them. Seeing how adorable my little eight-month-old niece was and realizing how much of an impact I could have on her life by being a regular part of it persuaded me to move.

I also didn’t want to one day regret not spending time with my parents while they are still around. I had a conversation with one of my uncles about how much he regrets not spending time with his parents when they lived in the same town because he was too busy working. I don’t want that to be me.

Even though I gripe about the liquor laws and fry sauce, I am glad that I made the move. I love seeing my niece and sister. We have a much closer relationship than ever before, I see my parents enough that they drive me crazy (sometimes), and I have met many fabulous new friends.

The biggest change, one that I wouldn’t have believed even if someone had told me, was meeting Mike. I have never felt as happy and secure in a relationship as I do with Mike. Certain things make sense that didn’t before and I am so happy to have clicked on (hello internet dating!) my true partner. He understands so much of the Mormon bullshit I grew up with because he is a non-Mormon raised in SLC. Plus he’s sensitive, hilarious, has an equally twisted sense of humor, and he’s a total hunk! I am thrilled for the next 46 days to fly by so we can be husband and wife.

I woke up giddy and excruciatingly happy. Very similar to how it felt to wake up knowing you were going to Disneyland as a little kid.

My mother saw me wearing my moomoo and putting sponge rollers into my hair. She exclaimed, “You’re leaving the house like THAT?!” I didn’t even have on my makeup yet.

Shortly after completing my zombie makeup with some homemade blood, I crept into my mother’s bathroom and started tapping on her shower door. “Uuuuuuuu. Brraaaainns.”

She told me to go wake my father up for church. He wasn’t very pleased.

I could tell that both of my parents were thinking, “Zombies? Fake blood? Where did we go wrong???” They weren’t about to spoil the moment; my mother said she hadn’t heard me giggle so much, or seen me so happy, since the Christmas BEFORE I moved to Utah.