We are getting married in the Meridian Temple on August 17th. If you have any questions or need information on the sealing and family ring ceremony that day, please contact me at 208-501-9458. Thank you!
Eli and I officially spoke to one another on a blind date, September 22nd, 2023. While the story from his perspective might be a little shorter, OUR story starts in the Rexburg Temple on June 24th, AND it gets to continue for all eternity.
How did Elizabeth and Eli meet?
On Saturday, June 24th, 2023, my sister Hannah Watson was coming home from her mission. Mary Watson left to go home on the shuttle from Rexburg to Boise, and I decided to stay in Rexburg even though I wanted to go. I still needed something awesome to do that weekend, so a friend and I decided to go to the temple!
Good time, Great place.
We sat in a room while preparing to start the temple work my friend and I planned. While waiting, a tall man welcomed our group to the temple. This guy had the brightest smile and a pleasing countenance. Blayne, my friend, helped me notice him. Soon after he pointed this guy out, I was eager to catch his eye.
After that experience, I could not get this random guy I saw OUT OF MY HEAD! I asked people around if they knew anyone on that temple shift, I described what he looked like, (although many BYU-Idaho people match his description), and I even searched names of people I thought he could be… 😆
Another Chance?
Fast forward to a week later, July 2nd, 2023. My friend Chase came into town for Independence Day, and we all decided to go watch Jordan Sandberg (another great friend) perform at the Rexburg Tabernacle. They had themed fans, and the place was busy! We all sat down in a row, excited to watch.
As we stood to honor the USA and put our hands to our hearts, I noticed a taller guy standing on the left side of the Tabernacle, but I didn’t think much of it…
UNTIL… BLAYNE SAID IT WAS THE SAME PERSON!
I couldn’t believe it! As we were outside in the beautiful hot weather, this unnamed man walked past us and headed home. Blayne said I should catch him! But he was already a block away, and it would seem pretty weird for a girl to run after a man she doesn’t know like that. So, instead of holding onto my britches to run, I cried. I hoped to find him again.
My Miracle
August 5th, 2023
The summer months flew by, with trips to Bear Lake, Camping in Mcall, and visiting my dear Aunt Lorraine before her passing. In between all the crazy, my siblings, Hyatt, Rebekah, and Rachel, came home from FSY, a youth camp for the church! That Saturday, I was in the kitchen making homemade lasagna for the family. Hyatt came up to me, talking about his experiences, and said, ” You know, Elizabeth, out of all the eligible young men who were there, there was this ONE guy that I just feel would be so good for you.”
My curiosity was spiked, and so I began to ask questions, wondering who this guy was, when all of a sudden, my sister Rachel came in the room very excitedly and said,
“ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ELI??!!”
Rachel’s enthusiasm for this man was immediately followed by praise for how awesome and kind he was. I saw a picture of her with this counselor and was surprised to find that he was cute!
We moved on after the conversation, and I returned to making dinner for the Fam Jam, hoping that my sister could somehow set me up with this cute guy.
That night, as we were all gathered around in the living room, Eli came up again in conversation. The whole family asked about him, and my mother even wondered if there was any way to set us up.
Then, Mary said, “What if it is the guy from the temple?”
I gasped. There was no way!!
Was this the same guy who was at the temple? Because I can’t recognize faces very well, I wasn’t sure. So I texted my friends to confirm, and they said it was!! I had found the guy who piqued my interest weeks ago through my siblings going to FSY!
A Blind Date… for him. 😏
After telling Desi (a great friend of mine) this story about Eli, she told me she had his number and could set us up! I am so grateful for her willingness to reach out to him and ask so that we could meet in person. We made gluten-free cookies and talked a lot on our first date.
Will you be my girlfriend?
After a couple of weeks of going on dates with him and other people, it was clear to me and Eli that this could be good. After visiting a lady in her assisted living home, we discussed it, and he asked me a question I had never said yes to: “Will you be my girlfriend?”
6 Months Later
As we progressed and learned together, our love for one another grew. Eli proposed while walking on the beach, not a cloud in the sky. (Dolphins were shooting out of the water🐬) He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said YES!
Our Story has just begun.
The experiences I have had finding Eli and dating him have confirmed the love that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have for us. They want us to have as many opportunities for joy as possible. He cares for each of his children, and we are all blessed to live here on this earth to progress and grow. Eli and I have had a bunch of fun together and have so much more to look forward to!
We are so grateful and honored to celebrate our marriage with all of our friends and family, and we want you to know how much you mean to us. Because of the life lessons and experiences we have had with each one of you, we have grown. You have helped us become who we are today. We are excited and thrilled to start a family and we look forward to sharing those experiences with you. So thank you so much for your support, love, kind words, and help as we start our Eternal Love Story in the Meridian Temple on August 17th.
