The Story of Us

Heyg guys! I decided to do this post because some exciting things have changed in my life. I am engaged(obliviously this was an old post I didn't finish)! I know I am soooo excited. We are so excited! I didn't just want to write this post because I got engaged, I wanted to write because we have been a great journey and I don't share it too often with others.
I figured why not share our story and explain why I am so private with my love life.


Here goes nothing! Hope you enjoy!

It all started about 5 years ago January 2014. Actually let me back up a little to December of 2013. I was feeling lonely around Christmas. I just wanted someone. I mean who doesn't around this time of year! With all the Hallmark movies, commercials, and magic in the air who wouldn't want to be with someone special. So to combat my feelings of loneliness I got a online dating website and decided to meet someone.
P.S. I don't recommend the online dating app because I think it was mostly used to hook up with people, but you know me the hopeless romantic was like maybe you will find someone who is great, who won't want you for you body. Also keep in mind I used this app at least 4 to 5 times before and deleted it each time when the guys were too thirsty!

Well of course I matched up with some guys, but when it came down to it none of them felt right. I was about to delete the app again when I matched up with Joseph. So  of course I didn't delete the app  because now I was actually talking to a cute guy who didn't want anything to do with my body. He wanted to talk to me for me. He wanted to get to know me for me! ( WOW, I know great right! It gets better!)

Important side note!!!! I was going back up to school in the beginning of January. I didn't change my location on the app, so that is how I matched up with Joseph even though I was in Idaho.

Little did he know I was in Idaho. We continued talking and by Friday we were texting and calling each other. He wanted to make I was the real deal and not some dude cat fishing him. Let me say the first time we spoke on the phone, I was wooed! His voice was so deep and smooth. I started to melt like butter and didn't know what to say on the phone besides hi. (Pretty sure I said hi like 5 times before I said something else.) Also that first night we talked to each other  on the phone and that was when I finally told him I was in Idaho. He did freak out, but then asked when I would be back. Good thing he stuck it out, because I am worth it!

One of many Skype sessions

Fast Forward 4 months. We talked all the time while I was up in school, Skype was our only connection. We finally met each other in April and I have never done anything with a boy. That night I got my first kiss!! With lots more kissing afterwards. 😉


The next day my parents wanted to meet him, so we arranged to go have lunch at Cafe Rio. I have no idea why I chose Cafe Rio I don't really like the food, but I did. Not the greatest decision I made because him and I got sick from it. We ate lunch and enjoyed the time. I can't really remember but either the next day or that same day I meet his parents. I know it was crazy how soon we meet each others parents, but we both lived at home so there was no way around not meeting them.
That same week I had to go to Chicago for a friend's wedding, I was the bridesmaid so it wasn't just something I could easily miss.

During that time, we missed each other a lot. We texted constantly and even Skyped, we were back to old times. I came back we hung out that next week. That following Sunday was Easter. We decided we wanted to be together, so we go meeting each other's whole family! Honestly I was so nervous and just wanted everyone to like him.  Of course he was such a charmer! His family liked me too! All of his nieces and nephews loved me and I could tell his sisters was beginning to like me  more as the night went on.

The summer went on, we hung out almost all the time. I guess as to why I never shared our great times because I was living in the moment with him. We would just be having a good time and thought  never occurred to me to document it, to express it because I was in the moment.

At one point we got a dog even though we were long distance

Then September came and I was headed back up to school in Idaho. We did this for the next two years. I would come home for two weeks in December then go back to school, then stay for the summer months. When I look back at those times I often think about how much we grown. We learned a lot about each other during those times because our only means were communication. We couldn't cuddle or kiss. We had to have conversations. I think because of those long distance years we were able to grow close in ways that most people don't get. Also during this time I did mention to people I was dating someone, but again my social media presence about him was nonexistent.

I often got from people that I was ashamed of him because I didn't post about him over social media, or if I really liked him because I didn't post. I was never ashamed of him, he is a fine looking man and I really did like him,  but I didn't feel any need to post excessively about him. I would occasionally post things about him, but probably from an outsider looking in it wouldn't even look like I had a boyfriend. I guess I just don't see the point of posting all the time about your life. So if you are one to post all the time please let me know why you do it?

Ok back to the best story of your life, jk well it is the best story to me!

After my student teaching is when I officially moved back home and was there for good (I may have moved two times after that, but I stayed closed and in AZ). January 2017 I started my job as an elementary teacher and I was able to to be close to Joseph all the time. It felt good, we were able to explore what it was actually like being together as a couple in the same place. Even from this point til now we have grown so much!

December 8, 2018 Joseph Carman proposed to me. We talked about it a lot and I could sense it was coming. That night we happened to go to Tolleson's famous Christmas parade. All night I was hoping he would propose to me then, but nope! I know, but don't worry he still did it the best way he could  have done it. He was driving me home from the parade and we needed to stop at my parent's house to get my dog. We pulled up to my parent's house. He got out of his car and I got out of my car. He walked up to the side of my car and right there behind the truck he proposed to me. I seriously couldn't believe it and asked him several times if it was true. Joseph finally was like "damn it, yes Dawn of course it is real, what do you say?" Once he said those words I know automatically what I wanted to say before he could finish. "Yes, Joseph, yes of course I want to marry you." We kissed and right at that moment my parents opened their garage and let my dog out(who then ran away from us because I didn't grab her). We chased her back to the house and then shared the joyous news with my parents. They were so excited and we all just cried tears of happiness.

He did however propose again after getting the ring resized to actually fit my finger. By the way both proposals were great and honestly depending on the person I tell one or the other.

I guess why I don't share so many of our special memories together because they are mine. The memories are special to me and I didn't just want to tell anyone. I only wanted to tell certain people because they were special and I just believe people don't need to know my business.

In those 5 years we did so many things and grew so close. We truly became best friends, lovers, and life long partners. We learned a lot about the other person and each moment with him made it easier to...
Love life <3

2018....was surely a roller coaster

Hey guys! It is that time of year again where I share my year in review. I am about 2 months late with posting this. The end of the year was crazy and the beginning of the year was crazy. I have finally found time to be able to sit down and reflect on the year before. 2018 was certainly a year for the books. It had so many ups and downs that I was really ready for 2019 to be more smooth sailing( which right from the start it was promising, but was we get more into the this year I am not quite sure how smooth sailing this year will be).

So hop on board the Dawnie Roller Coaster!

January 2018

Dad's Birthday, always followed by my parents anniversary.

I was heading to the dentist when I spotted this beauty. I seriously love hot air balloons. I hope to one day take a trip in one. 

Katy Perry's concert was such a great way to start the year! I loved it and pretty much sang along with every song. Artist that can be personal with their artist is the best, shows they are still human. 

Field trip with my students. It was interesting to say the least. Afterward we enjoyed a picnic at a park, kind of sketchy but worth it.

100th day of school! We got all the kids in 1st grade together and created an 100. Below you will see the finest old ladies ever.

 February 2018

Mandatory date to Los Dos Molinos. We often go when it is cooler that way we can go up to South Mountain and enjoy the view with a cool breeze. 

March 2018

Poetry cafe was by far the most rewarding thing as a teacher. Watching my students grow and blossom as they read their poems made me a very proud teacher. They worked hard and it truly showed.

April 2018

Red for Ed for a huge deal in Arizona during this time. As teachers we came together and fought against what we believed was right and fair for our students. 

May 2018

Learning fair is always the hardest time of the year because so much planning goes into it. Though after it is all done it is pretty worth it to see my kids take pride in their work and show their parents what they have learned. 

June 2018

One big thing happened in June. I bet you can guess what it is. You get a  car! You get a car! You get a car! If you guessed it right I bought a house! It isn't much but it is mine and it was one of the best investments I could have made. It is a 3 bedroom 2 bath  home, definitely a starter home but at least I can say that I bought a home at 23 all by myself jk with the help of my boyfriend. 

July 2018

Back in March I decided that I wanted to teach in another district. I choose this because quite honestly the administration at my other school didn't allow me to feel like teacher was career, but more of like my job. I became too stress at this district and didn't enjoy teaching. It feel like administration was breathing down my neck and constantly giving me tips on how to better. Which don't get me wrong I love constructive criticism, but it was a bit much at this school. I know I was a new teacher at the time, but I learned more when I asked my coworkers for advice and listen to them discuss ideas. There was less pressure that way, so I made a change. I interviewed with three districts and when I walked on campus I felt like this is where I needed to be. By the end of the year I loved that I made a change to this district. Also by the end of the year my room made a change about 3 different times. I moved furniture around until I finally was content with the area. I still did flexible seating just like my old school. I found a love for teaching at this school. Though it may have some differences from the other school those differences make it worth it.

August 2018

August was busy and fun month. The start of a new school year is always stressful. I was informed that I would be getting a student who wasn't meant to be in my class. She was supposed to be in a special education class. Let's just say it was a really rough start to the year. In other news I got a dog! Her name was Lucy an Australian cattle mix. She was the most interesting dog yet and glad for the adventures I had with her. My birthday is also in August and turning 24 didn't seem like that big of a deal, so moving on. The day after my birthday I decided to receive my endowments from the temple. This a sacred ordinance that members of The Church of Jesus Christ believe are done in the  temple. I made the decision myself to go through so that I could come closer to God and receive greater strength and revelation about my life. 

September 2018

September was a better month. Though the student I mentioned early was still in my class I was getting better at understanding her behavior. I was just managing her behavior nothing more. During this time I didn't feel like a teacher but more of a baby sitter because I didn't want this student causing disturbances in class, so i did everything to keep her calm even that wasn't good enough. On another note Joey and I went on another date to a new favorite place, Lucilles, great BBQ by the way. I also went to Utah for a dear friend of mine wedding. It was a great road trip and much needed with another dear friend of mine. We happened to stop by the Salt lake temple and do a session. Lastly, Joseph's family bought two new cows. Only one cow is featured in the picture above because this was the only friendly cow. Peaches was the nice cow that would come up to the gate and allow us to pet her. 

October 2018

The year is almost over! How crazy! I personally love October because decorating during that time is the best. Of course I had to dress up Lucy and the best costume that fit her personality was a pineapple. She was kind of dorky, so being a pineapple fit her perfectly. Also during this month we also got to welcome a new baby girl to the Anderson family. She is so beautiful and joey seems to be excited about having her in the family. Truly I feel more in love with him during this time. Seeing him with kids just made me want to get married to him  even more. 

November 2018

November is always the month that goes by too fast. There is so much going on this month, but I was able to squeeze in some mom and daughter time and go to the temple. 

December 2018

I think by far December was my favorite month last year! Joseph and I took a trip to Flagstaff where we almost got married, but chickened out when we decided it wouldn't be fair to our families. Little did I know that he would propose on December 8th about a week later. I didn't think it was really happening, but there he was on his knee. Of course I said yes!! Later that month I went to see the Nutcracker with my best friend, which was her first time. Not pictured above is my cruise with my family during Christmas time. Honestly it was pretty cool experience but I would have much rather be home during Christmas. After the cruise we celebrated Christmas with my dad's extended family and of course needed to take the mandatory picture with my aunt that  we take during family functions. I literally ended this year with a bang. I decided that it would be awesome if I blew up 2019 balloons and pop them when midnight struck. It was a whole day feat and I didn't even get to 2019, but I did get to 1019. Definitely worth it! My fingers were raw by the end of the night, but I forgot all about them when I saw how my house filled up with balloons.

2018 was a great year! It had its ups and downs, but honestly what year doesn't have that. I am truly looking forward to 2019 and I know it will be an even better year. Thank you 2018 and hello to 2019.I am going to do what I do best and that is...

Love Life <3