There are moments in my life that I don't ever want to forget. A lot of times, these moments have embedded themselves in my memory as snapshots. They are usually simple moments that touch my soul.
Like the first time I realized Dallas was interested in me. I came back from a weekend in Kaysville to have my friend Whitney tell me that he was asking where I was all weekend.
Or when he took Erin and I four wheeling in his brown truck up in the mountains. At the time we weren't sure if we were scared for our lives or having the time of our lives.
I can still feel that moment when Dallas grabbed me by the hands, put his forehead next to mine and said, "Will you marry me?"
My stomach still turns when I remember walking down the aisle with my Dad, passing Ryan Thorne, and realizing that no matter the mistakes I make in life, some people will always be there to support me.
When Dallas and I were first married there was a lightning storm in Cedar City that hit in the middle of a snow storm. When the lightning would strike, the entire town would light up like the flash of a camera.
I don't think I have ever worked as hard at a job as I did when I worked for Movie Gallery. During those first few months I had literally worked myself sick. At the lowest point, after being at the store for about 15 hours trying to do my first inventory and fighting off a horrendous sinus infection, my District Manager, Jeff Madrid, got me on the phone and told me how important it is to just "take a break."
Dallas and I closed on our first house on the same day I started a new job. The tangible feeling in my life changed on that day.
Dallas' delayed joy at finding out that we were expecting our first baby. We both knew it was huge and that our lives would never be the same.
When Dallas and I were sealed and the sealer talked about our family we would have. At that time, only a few people knew about that teeny baby that I was carrying in my belly.
Will's first cry. Will's first noises. Will's first steps. The first time he said "Mama".
Selling our home and letting go of all our hard work and trusting it with someone else.
Seeing the "Yes +" on the digital thermometer when I found out we were expecting our second miracle.
Opening my Associates Degree from Utah Valley University and relishing in the "High Honors" sticker that I worked so hard for.
Will would drive his race cars across my pregnant belly and talk about how when his baby sister got out, he would share his toys and they were going to play race cars together.
Walking out the door to go to the hospital only to hear "I love you Mom! Good luck!" from my littlest man. He was no longer my baby. He really was our big boy.
Dr. Tayler delivering Annie and placing her on my belly saying, "Here's our Annie!" I knew she was sweet, but I didn't know how she was going to rock my world.
Placing the peaches and milk at the table and, very loudly, telling my grandma Jewel to have a seat at the kitchen table. I wonder if my grand kids are going to be the ones making sure I have my peaches in the morning one day.
Sometimes it is worth it to just stop. Close your eyes. And make sure you are committing these precious moments to memory.
Alex Nathan Hansen
