a New Year ...

Chris' Point of View:

As the new year approached, I prepared for Natalie to visit Salt Lake for the second time. I imagined what goals we could set, what challenges lied in wait, and how our relationship might be strengthened. I thought about how far we had come already and how we had truly succeeded in the progress we had made.

As Natalie arrived, my intention was to allow her to get to know my family a bit better, however, as I picked her up from the airport, I knew it was going to be difficult not to hog her all to myself. We chose to have a second Christmas with Natalie there, and enjoyed opening presents and being in the presence of each other.

We spent time in doors huddled together, watching movies and eating mashed potatoes. It was so great to have Nat here with me once again. While the weather was cold, my frosty red nose could not distract me from looking at Natalie with a loving smile.

The last day of the year came, and I remember sitting next to Natalie as the cries of the New Year rang loud around us. I leaned over and softly whispered in her ear, "This is our year." Somewhere I knew that following the cold, our relationship would blossom, melodies of the future would fill the air, and I would be spending many moments in my life with my hand grasping hers.

nat's point of view :

ob-la-di, ob-la-da !

when i got on my flight to seattle and slc, i caught myself thinking, about how quickly it has been for chris and i - 5th months together, and my 3rd time seeing him. ... no math here.

i was super-duper-ultra-goober excited to visit the van wagoners again. the last time I was in slc i had such a great time and had been missing them ever since. the icing on the cake was that i got to meet the last member of the fab 6, laura; she was overseas the last time i was there when i came. of course, w/ a drop of joy, was being able to attend lukas's blessing, the newest members of the allen's. =D

i was delighted to find that they chose to have a 2nd christmas w/ me, and waited till i got there to open the presents chris and i prepared. it was so much fun! my family doesn't often celebrate western holidays, (generally only family members’ birthday). the feeling of christmas and the spirit in their house has filled me with warmth and felicity. the family took me to the temple afterward, we had a great time picture snapping.

for new years eve, we drove out to alyssa & craig's for the count down. we played some wii sports, chris and i did the bowling challenge (as it was what brought him to me. haha). no surprise there, natalie remains as the champion b/w our little game. har har! =)

we spent the rest of the night watching a classic, james bond 1985 - a view to a kill. oh, how i heart christopher walken; however, grace jones scares me. =S i couldn't bear to watch him kiss her. ergh.

finally, the time came for the ball to drop, the new year approached w/ so many things in store. my stirred emotions wouldn't keep me seated, as this was the 1st big holiday that we spent w/ each other as a couple, i wanted to capture this feeling in my heart. ... >>> 5 , 4 , three , two , ... ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR! chris held me in his arms, kissed me passionately, and whispered the most endearing words to me for 2008. <3

i felt something
different for the first time
having it made sense
when all the words rhyme
no chance of stopping now
i'm taking it all
and now i'm caught in the air. <3

'it's a good life!'