Our Story
Stories
Derek's Version
Way more fun to write than i had thought
So all began a long time ago. The moon rose in a different space and the sun set in a different place...
HAHA, right. So, the story, as i see it....
Setting: Tigard High School. 2003. Sometime during first period. Mrs. Hale's choir class.
It dawned upon me that the time had come for the last concert of the year. This concert customarily showcased performances by hand-picked seniors to highlight the show. I, being a senior, yearned from deep within to be one of those hand picked few destined for stardom and the power of the spotlight. So, with all of my inner strength I began formulating how one, such as I, could posses enough "starpower" to attain such status. I soon realized that this was no easy feat.
[out of writing juice. haha was fun though.]
Okay short and sweet:
I wanted to do a senior solo ans as thinking about what songs to sing. At the time I was really into Moulin Rouge (awesome movie for some, crazy drug induced trip for others.) Anyway, the "Lovers Secret Song," was one of my favorites of the movie. However, the song being a duet and my lack of power to sing male and female vocal parts at the same time (a talent I now possess), I needed to find a female voice to help. It just so happened that Rachel was positioned right behind me in one of our choir formations and, as most of you know, has a beautiful voice. So one day i turned around and asked her if she wanted to do a duet with me and she said yes. She, however, had not seen Moulin Rouge so I asked her to come over to my house to watch the movie so she could hear the song. (It hadn't occurred to me that I was asking a girl to come over and sit on the couch next to me and watch a movie.) So, as you can guess, a few days later she knocks on my door and we start the movie. My family of six somehow manged to disappear completely - leaving us totally alone. That night was the first night I attempted to awkwardly hold a girl's pinkie and then eventually hand. Which I did. We never ended up singing the duet, but she did become my girlfriend.. And a few month later ended being my girlfriend. We went our own ways for a few years and lost touch for the most part. Until one day, after I had moved back in with my parents, my mom told me that someone was looking for runners to fill up a Hood to Coast relay team. I jumped at the chance and when I heard that is was Rachel's team I got her number, told her I would run, and asked her out on a date. That was two years ago and through ups, downs and all arounds we are here, with you reading out story, through my eyes, on our wedding website.
Rachel's Version
The more detailed and often more accurate account
18 and never been on a date. What was a girl supposed to do when super-handsome Derek Samuelson invites you over to watch Moulin Rouge so you can sing a duet together? So, I said yes. It was spring break our senior year and I was just about to head off on a trip with Medical Teams Int'l. to Mexico City when something strange happened to my phone... random words popped up on the screen that said: when do you leave?
I tinker with my phone for a while, trying to figure out where the message came from. After passing it by my mom and dad and receiving confused responses as well, I put it out of mind. When I got back from Mexico I found out it was Derek, attempting to set up a time to watch Moulin Rouge together before I left the country. Sigh. That portion of the story will date me very soon...
After Derek and I held hands that night we were pretty much inseparable. He asked me to be his girlfriend on April 5, 2003 and 2 or 3 weeks later he gave me my first kiss. A summer of beach trips, hikes and fun ensued until mid-August when I packed up my belongings and started off on a long drive to Southern CA for college... I left Derek standing in front of my house waiving as my family along with our dog and a UHaul pulled out and drove away. What I liked to call our "involuntary break-up" at the time had begun.
Those of you that know Derek and I well know that we went different ways for about 4 years. I graduated from George Fox in 2007 and found myself managing a Hood to Coast team that summer since my soon-to-be roommate, Ali (Maid of Honor), became very sick with mono. Somehow I found myself on the phone with Derek. He simultaneously volunteered to be on the team and asked me out. He took me for happy hour the next day at Oba's Restaurant downtown and we ended up taking the longest walk ever all through downtown as we caught up about the last 4 years of life. I have never questioned his love for me since that evening.
We've been pretty much inseparable since then as well. After almost two years of growing together, laughing, fighting, and having the time of our lives, Derek asked me to marry him! Even though we'd been talking about marriage for a while... (maybe even had our venue and date almost nailed down...) Derek managed surprise me with "the question" after reenacting our Oba/walking excursion. We came home to Ali fleeing the house and candles,long-stemmed roses, dark chocolate and champagne that Derek's parents had prepared. It was the perfect proposal. I'm looking forward to all that may come!
