Our Adventurous Love Story: From Pretzel Proposal to Basic Training

The Pretzel Proposal & Early Encounters

• 💡 The relationship began with a pretzel ring joke where Scott, discussing his military enlistment, proposed with a pretzel, which became a running gag for their engagement.
• 🎯 They first met at a singles ward (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) where Scott was known and loved by many, making a strong first impression on Sarah.
• 💬 A five-hour car ride to Lake Powell solidified their connection, as they engaged in deep conversations about their dreams and ideas, feeling a natural rapport.

Developing Friendship & Unexpected Feelings

• 📌 Sarah initially thought Scott was "too young" for her, despite finding him cute, leading to a period of strong friendship where they discussed each other's dates.
• 🔑 Scott realized he found "nothing wrong" with Sarah, a stark contrast to his previous dating experiences, indicating a unique and comfortable connection.
• ✨ A funny incident involved Scott keeping a childhood photo of Sarah in his wallet, which he later discarded when they started dating, acknowledging its creepiness.

The Disastrous Bear Lake Trip

• ⚠️ A planned romantic trip to Bear Lake turned disastrous when Scott's dad's truck, carrying a canoe, broke down on a mountain road due to an overheating engine.
• 🚗 Sarah had to steer the truck down a hill with no power steering or brakes, narrowly avoiding a serious accident by pulling the emergency brake just in time.
• 👏 Scott admired Sarah's stoic reaction to the chaos, which served as a significant moment for him, reinforcing his feelings and leading to a framed picture as a reminder of the event.

Confirming Love & Future Plans

• 🗣️ Both Sarah and Scott had separate, pivotal conversations with their bishop, who encouraged them to acknowledge their feelings and pursue a serious relationship.
• ❤️ During a drive, Scott nervously declared "I love you, Sarah," which Sarah reciprocated, marking their official mutual declaration of love.
• 🚀 Despite Scott's initial reluctance to get serious before basic training, they decided to get married during a canyon trip, committing to a future together.

Long-Distance & Continued Commitment

• 📞 During Scott's basic training, he would use his limited phone time to call Sarah after speaking briefly with his parents, much to his sister's chagrin.
• 💌 They maintained their connection through letters and exchanged meaningful gifts, including a heart necklace from Scott and a pig figurine named Petey from Sarah.
• 💍 Sarah flew to Texas for Scott's basic training graduation, where they shopped for rings and later shared a memorable Thanksgiving dinner in a park, further solidifying their plans.