A Leap of Faith
aka Ben the one with courage.
Three years ago, I walked into the Mapleton 2nd YSA ward sacrament meeting and sat down next to the girl I was going to marry. Of course, I had no idea at the time. I was just trying to make friends and rekindle my struggling dating life, so I did what anyone would do: I found a cute girl and asked if I could sit next to her. She told me her name was Emma, and we exchanged a few pleasantries before going our separate ways.
Over the next few months, I saw Emma sporadically as I worked to complete my biology degree at BYU and got used to my new ward. Eventually, I sat next to her at an FHE dinner, and we finally had a chance to have a real conversation. I found Emma charming, interesting, and sophisticated. She was a plein air painter who worked at the Springville Art Museum. She traveled, loved trying new foods, and had gone skydiving just because she wanted to see what it was like. She was well-read too; a few weeks later I gave a talk in church, and she texted me, complimenting my talk and telling me how she had previously read a book I referenced in it. At the end of the night, I lingered by the door and said goodbye to her.
Time passed, and I fretted over whether or not to ask Emma out. A few weeks later, she caught me as I was leaving a linger-longer activity, taking the time to ask me how I was doing and to tease me about how far away I had parked. “Maybe,” I thought to myself, “Maybe I have a chance.”
As the summer drew to a close, we went on a ward campout at Lake Powell. I spent my time paddleboarding, swimming, and chatting with Emma. Actually, I spent a lot of time chatting with Emma. In my defense, we were camped on a sandy beach accessible only by boat, and it’s not like there were other places to go. I also took advantage of the trip to impress her in the best way I knew how: by catching and identifying the local wildlife.
After we got home from the trip, I made up my mind. Emma had spent a week with me in the desert, and it didn’t seem like she completely hated me, so it was time to ask her out on a date. That Monday, I went to family home evening, hoping that I would see Emma. My plan paid off, and after gathering my courage I finally asked her out.
I am so glad that I took that leap of faith. Emma is my best friend and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m grateful beyond measure that I get to build a life by her side.
