To Eternity and Beyond...

6 Month Review

2011-09-13T12:06:00.025-04:00

Hey Everyone! We're still around Atlanta and having fun. Merrit is loving her position as head honcho at Paces Ferry Oral Surgery while Matt is busy saving the planet from subluxation. We're shopping google maps for a place to move to in 18 months. So...if anyone has suggestions...

February: Hiked Amicalola Falls

March: Myrtle Beach (brrrr...)

April: Matt's 31st Birthday

Planted a new garden

Went to a Family Force 5 concert

May: Matt went to Tuscaloosa, AL to help cleanup after the tornado. He said he didn't have much fun.

Buddy and Moe: First Camping Trip @ Carter's Lake

We bought rollerblades

September: Buddy and Moe: Second Camping Trip @ Carter's Lake with the Bennett's

Our Nightly Walk

2011-02-22T21:21:00.004-05:00

It really is true that a picture is worth a thousand words...

Family Walk

2011-01-25T12:27:00.002-05:00

Out on the Silver Comet Trail...then naptime

6 More Weeks?

2011-01-14T15:03:00.001-05:00

If Buddy sees his shadow, does that mean 6 more weeks of winter?

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

2011-01-10T08:55:00.003-05:00

6 inches of snow overnight!!! I'm ready to unwrap more presents!! How hilarious are Moe and Buddy's winter gear? Thanks Sarah!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-14T10:37:00.005-05:00

Twas' 3 weeks before Christmas and all through the flat
Not a creature was stirring, especially Merrit and Matt
When all of a sudden there arose such a noise
Matt's phone was a-ringin', it was one of his boys

"Yo Matt, this is Brian. Is your head on straight?
You're not here at the pancake breakfast. That's today. Check the date."

So up they arose; bad breath, hair, and moods
To go and eat hotcakes and other breakfast foods
They put on big smiles, good moods they were fakin'
To speak pleasantries with friends, and stock up on bacon

When wouldn't you know it, St. Nicholas was there
To take pictures with the Wolfertz, and their morning hair.

Back-to-School Pictures

2010-12-05T21:56:00.004-05:00

Catching Y'all Up

2010-12-05T21:38:00.006-05:00

So, we're waaaaayyyy behind on our posts. Allow this to be our "gittin' caught up" post.

Since bringing Buddy home, we...

...saw the Blue Angels

...have learned Buddy's favorite seat in the car

...found a doggy park

...have lost all of Matt's shoes to the dogs

...had a fun visit with Matt's brother Danny

...have found many great and wonderful photo opp's with the puppies

And Then There Were Four...

2010-12-05T19:36:00.003-05:00

Meet Buddy (as if getting Merrit one dog was ever going to be enough). We had Moe all of two weeks when Merrit began commenting, "Moe's really lonely. I mean who is going to keep him company while we're gone at work?" And then, just like that, she answered her own question with Buddy. Originally we considered calling him Poudre (pronounced Pooder) but after a day of testing it out we reverted back to Buddy.

And thank goodness we have Buddy!! Matt was so resistant to getting another dog, but now that we have him, Buddy has become "his" dog. He is the entertainer in our family and provides us with lots of laughs.

I'm quite content...

And Then There Were Three...

2010-11-01T18:25:00.016-04:00

I have the cutest husband (true story) :) He gave me the biggest suprise for my birthday...

My big day started out with breakfast in bed. I love waking up to Belgian waffles, strawberries and whip cream. Yummy, yummy. And he gave me an adorable birthday card.

Inside was a silly poem...

ATL Breakfast Rap

It's your birthday breakfast

So you shouldn't feel awful

Just wag your tail

And eat a huge waffle!

So go ahead, take a paw-se

Savor it nice and slow

And when you eat it all up

You can have a little Mo'e!

Word!

For lunch Matt whisked me off to eat at Moe's Mexican Grill. Again, yummy, yummy:)

Around dinnertime Matt took me to a park for a picnic. Little did I know he planned a surprise party for me. Amongst our friends was our favorite couple from South Carolina (Brian and Laura Jean). Matt handed me my birthday card again, this time with highlights:

ATL Breakfast Rap

It's your birthday breakfast

So you shouldn't feel awful

Just wag your tail

And eat a huge waffle!

So go ahead, take a paw-se

Savor it nice and slow

And when you eat it all up

You can have a little Mo'e!

Word!

Had I been paying attention throughout the day the hints were there, but it wasn't until I read through my card with the hints highlighted that I understood my birthday present was Moe-Moe. That is a total lie. Ever since Merrit witnessed the birth of a litter of dachshund puppies up at Brian and Laura Jean's house she has been asking for the little chocolate one that came second (affectionately dubbed #2). Even with all the hints and highlights throughout the day she didn't "get it" until she actually saw little Moe's doggy tag which reads "I belong to Merrit".

Our Family Dr. goes to D.R.

2010-07-15T23:52:00.005-04:00

On my way in to the office yesterday morning I shut off my A/C, rolled down the windows (it was actually more comfortable this way), and cried. (The D.R. is incredibly hot and humid with rolling blackouts courtesy of the Dominican government. A/C becomes a luxury that is so unreliable you make do and adapt to the otherwise unfavorable climate.) The immense joy of serving our Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters overwhelmed me. As I looked out on the road in front of me I realized I was back in my life again--familiar streets, neighborhoods, traffic, restaurants, etc. My mind drifted back to the downtown area of Bani and its dilapidated feeling. I imagined the scores of people waiting for us, hoping for one more chance to be seen and experience the awesome power and freedom from an Upper Cervical Specific adjustment. It finally rested on a solitary figure sitting in a rusted out, urine-stained wheelchair. His smile and his new found hope gripped my soul.

He was pushed into town Friday morning, July 9th, and sat slouched, head hanging. A Spanish-fluent colleague explained to me how this husband and father had broken his spine a year ago after falling from a tree. I slid my hand down his back and felt the gnarled, broken vertebrae. What could I do? I'm not a surgeon. He was paralyzed below the break rendering his legs and feet useless; his bladder leaked uncontrollably. In these moments you simply act. Be it out of love, duty, and by whatever knowledge or skills you may have acquired. I hoisted him from his seat--his urine running over my arms--and laid him on the ground in a position to receive an upper cervical specific adjustment. This is what I know how to do. All of my training, studies, and knowledge confirmed that this was one thing he needed. I delivered the adjustment, lifted him back off of the ground, and sat him in his wheelchair.

The next day I joined a group of doctors in a small Haitian village about 45 minutes from downtown Bani. A number of my colleagues returned that day in my stead and continued to check and adjust people there. This same man came back, this time with his family. He no longer slouched, wore a bright smile, and had not soiled himself. His body had already begun the healing process. That night I listened to my friends recount this miraculous change and wondered if I would ever see him again. Three days later this picture was taken.

That day he shared how he was now able to slowly and with great effort move his feet. The tears fell.

It hit me so hard yesterday morning--the reality that these people were also waking up to a Thursday morning...a new Thursday morning...a different Thursday morning. No more sickness and disease winning the battle for their bodies. The choice to move forward and live out a full life becoming a reality. Another day to spend with their children and spouses.

This is a good thing. This is a God thing.

A New Journey Begins...

2010-06-25T17:28:00.005-04:00

The Proper Way to Use Your Cornhole

2010-06-09T01:30:00.004-04:00

Continuing our honeymoon...

2010-05-26T21:02:00.025-04:00

We've decided to extend our honeymoon. You see, after we got married we had about 2 days to enjoy a honeymoon and then I was back in school. Now I'm graduated...and we've tacked on another 3 days...at Disneyworld!

One of my fellow Upper Cervical friends helped us out by introducing us to one of his local friends who performs at Disney. He scored us 2 park hopper day passes! After watching him perform acrobatics in the Lion King show he got us backstage for a photo-op with the cast.

Good times!

Graduation!

2010-05-26T11:42:00.007-04:00

March 26th, 2010 is a day I'll never forget. It's the day my wife breathed a sigh of relief knowing that soon enough she would never have to work again. ;)

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years to achieve this great victory. I love you all.

Matt + Merrit + Maine

2010-01-20T20:13:00.049-05:00

I've been working in Portland recently and Matt was able to join me for a weekend! We took a driving tour of the lighthouses around the Portland area and had such a lovely day, and such lovely company.

MARRIED!!!!!

2010-01-18T19:40:00.010-05:00

Yes, you read that right. Matt and I suprised everyone and decided to get married while our families were together for the holidays. So with three weeks to plan, we pulled together an amazing New Year's Eve wedding.

By 'we' she means she pulled together an amazing wedding. I just had to show up for pictures, a lobster tail and prime rib dinner, and the ring/vow exchange. I must say though that my favorite part of the whole evening was how absolutely divine Merrit looked. People still approach me shaking their heads asking "How did you get such a gorgeous wife?"

I LOVE being married!! If I'd have known how awesome marriage is I wouldn't have waited so long ;) Yes, the laundry does get old, but I have so enjoyed the adjustment of living together. My husband is wonderful!

As part of the post-ceremony entertainment we had a couple of videos playing showing our younger years and the past year of our life together. Enjoy those here!

http://gallery.me.com/danalinder#100249

http://gallery.me.com/danalinder#100236

The ceremony was rather unorganized (more reasons to get married in the temple), but it was very emotional and memorable. If you want to view it check out the link below. (for some reason part of the dinner is at the beginning, but just skip past that)

http://gallery.me.com/davesteuer#100144

De-Merr-lition Derby

2009-09-08T22:19:00.013-04:00

So we were a little late on posting this one, but it just had to be done. This was Merrit's first demolition derby. As a highly trained dental office management guru she needed to see that it is possible for the northern outskirts of Nashville, TN to exist and operate without the use of modern dentistry...or medieval dentistry...or dentistry, period. With a full smile (meaning her complete set of teeth outnumbered the combined total of teeth on our entire bleacher stand), she ducked from flying mud, coughed on unfiltered exhaust fumes, cheered at the crunch of metal against metal, awed at the subsequent engine fires, and rode dizzyingly nauseating carnival rides.

Merr-ietta

2009-07-12T19:24:00.018-04:00

It has been two months since Merrit arrived here and everything is looking up! Granted, she has accepted a new position with a software company, which is all brainy stuff (I'll spare you the nerdy details), and must travel most weeks, but we still get each other on the weekends. Her official title is Sugar Mama. Hooray for someone in our soon-to-be family who is actually making money! Two months and I've already picked up a southern drawl and a dual personality named Tonikka Sweetness. You can meet her if you call me, or better yet come visit! I'll show you a good time!!

We have been up to lots of good when we are together. For the 4th we went into town and ate ice cream, barbecued with friends, and watched the local fireworks show.

And this past weekend we took a road trip to the Carolinas to get a feel for our possible future. We both fell in love with Greenville, SC as we spent two days with some Upper Cervical Doctor friends. We caught a Red Sox minor league game on Friday night (Merrit owed it to me after we did some outlet mall shopping earlier in the week) which ended with a 20 minute fireworks show set to the Beatles. On Saturday we traveled the surrounding area and found a beautiful waterfall.

This pic is for Sarah. Goodnight love...

Mattlanta

2009-05-30T08:35:00.010-04:00

I had to pick that title. It really sums up the whole point of why Merrit is now living here in Atlanta. Yup, you read that correctly. MERRIT IS HERE!!!!

Last weekend (Memorial Day weekend) I rode into Boston on my noble steed (a Thoroughbred I call Delta Airlines), found the fair maiden in the Linder Fortress, packed up her coach (and by packed I mean shoved, stuffed, crammed, nudged, and eventually vacuum-packed), and set forth on a 1200+ mile journey.

You can read more about our adventures before we left here: http://www.slademomma.net/2009/05/no-150-a-whirlwind-weekend/

Merrit did drive for 4 of the 20+ hours we were on the road. The rest of the time she was improving my score on solitaire or getting her beauty rest.

Lest you think that the above picture is the result of my 16 hour beauty sleep, I shall explain. Unfortunately Lil' Lulu's a/c wasn 't working so we had to drive the entire time with the windows open. Doesn't make for a great hairdo, but Matt felt he needed to capture the image.

"Hey Merrit! Look what I found!"

"Great Matt. That looks a lot like the gas cap that is missing from my car. Next time remember to put it back on before we leave the gas station."

Now that Matt and I have successfully experienced our first road trip together, the next adventure is to decorate my apartment! Anybody want to come visit and help me?? I'll buy you Chick-fil-A!!

What Happens in Vegas...

2009-04-22T09:54:00.031-04:00

Seeing as we are blogging everything we do we can't even keep Vegas activities a secret. Although after seeing some of these pictures you may wish we did.

I was out in Sin City with some school friends (seen below) attending an Upper Cervical Health Centers conference. For those of you who have not heard about Upper Cervical Specific care, you will. Suffice it to say, it is quickly becoming a leading approach in health care for its uncanny ability to allow a person to heal from a myriad of pains, sicknesses, and diseases. For more info click here.

I had a great time especially when Merrit showed up. I knew that Matt was incredibly passionate about upper cervical care, but I was amazed to see that ALL upper cervical doctors seem to have the same fire. They are all alike!

Following the conference we spent a few days hanging out with Merrit's cousin (Shea) and her family. We had a fantastic time enjoying the warm weather and frozen yogurt shops with Shea's daughters. Yogurtland became my favorite find in Vegas!! It is the perfect treat on a sunny day, and its located right in the middle of awesome shopping. Doesn't get much better than that!

My other favorite find was The Mexican Restaurant we had to visit twice. Delicious!!

These two indulgences prove that what happens in Vegas...comes home with you :) We are recommitting to our P90X diet and exercise program once vacation is over.

Back at Shea's house, some of us had a little bit too much fun "playing" with the little ones...I leave it up to the reader to decide who enjoyed wearing the feather boa and pink lipstick more...

I had my first upper cervical adjustment while in Vegas. Little did I know that when you don't have the proper table on hand, the next best thing is a toilet seat!

My last night there Merrit, Shea, Berns (Shea's husband), and I went to the Vegas Strip to see all the great and spacious activities. We stopped in at the Wynn casino to watch a show called Le Rêve. I can't even begin to explain how impressive and awesome it was. So, instead I am going to suggest that all y'all git yerselves on a aeroplane to Las Vegas and go see it fer yerself. Ditto, and make sure you get some Yogurtland while you are there!

And who can pass up the opportunity to see the world's biggest chocolate fountain. Go P90X!!

Its a Love Story and I Just Said Yes!!

2009-04-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Matt's Birthday is April 1st, and I had the best day planned for him. The idea was to keep him clueless to my plans and make him think his whole special day was going to be spent sitting in the office, which would have worked flawlessly except that he wasn't clueless.

Merrit absolutely loves to make plans that go according to how she sets them forth. So to have my own plans secretly entwined into hers was something she never saw coming. As much as she would have loved to have pulled an April Fool's gag on me I was already on the inside modifying her plans. What she did do for my birthday, however, was still both surprising and wicked fun.

The day started off with homemade Belgian waffles (yummy, except that they didn't sit too well in our tummies since we began our BeachBody P90X diet and exercise program). At lunch time Matt and I left the office for F1 Boston--an indoor go-cart track that added to my already upset stomach full of waffles. This was purely to appeal to Matt's "man" side. (Don't worry, Honey. For my birthday I want to watch the 6-hour version of Pride & Predjudice.)

It amazes me that Merrit, when driving her Jetta, will tailgate and speed (even told me I was practically a grandpa when I was only going 75 mph). Yet at the track where the average speed is ~30 mph she may have topped out at 13 mph.

I then took him shopping on Newbury Street for some new black shoes (anyone who has seen his $6 slip-ons will understand the necessity for a new style). We might have spent more time browsing the new spring dress line than looking for men's shoes, but at least we were together, right? :) Matt casually said that he wanted to go walk down to the Boston Common which is where we had our first date. I agreed and we started our walk down memory lane, or so I thought.

I'm surprised I came off as calm and collected because inside I was anything but. The day before Dana and I had been downtown picking out the perfect spot. Our plans were for her to setup the goods (guitar, flowers, etc.) at the gazebo prior to us arriving. We would walk up and I would simply sweep Merrit off her feet with my dashing good looks and vocal ability that makes even Michael Bublé swoon. That's what the plan was...

We walked through the Gardens and made our way over to the Commons, stopping at the gazebo, Frog Pond, and where we had our first kiss. We would have spent more time except that the parking meter was running out, so we started back towards the car. On the way Matt received a phone call. He didn't recognize the number and asked if I knew what area code 720 was. I told him it was Rob's phone and thought that I had missed his call on my phone. Curiosity set in when my phone had no missed calls. Matt answered and the conversation was short, full of uh-huhs, oks and yes. When he hung up, I asked him who it was and after a brief pause, he told me it was Rob who was downtown, saw us, and wanted to say hi. Now, I work with Rob and I knew this wasn't true so I gave him a very skeptical look. He then changed his story and told me it was was brother from Colorado wishing him a happy birthday. I wasn't buying any of this and asked him why he was lying to me. Finally he confessed, "Alright. It was actually your sister Dana. I told her that what I really wanted for my birthday was to have pictures taken where we had our first date." So we turned around and headed back to the Commons.

Major miscommunication. Dana and I had agreed to contact each other via cell phone. Problems arose when the number I thought was her cell phone turned out to be the house phone. You can probably imagine the beads of sweat forming on my forehead when I sent out a text message asking if the gazebo was setup and got this response: "508 yada yada...is a landline #." So when we walked to the gazebo and nothing was setup I can't even begin to express the instantaneous indigestion and nausea. Turns out the 720 number was Dana telling me she saw us walking away and that she needed a couple minutes to get things set up. And yes, I am a terrible liar.

We stopped at a tree in the middle of the commons that had a long, low branch. Matt asked me if I could get on it, so of course I accepted the challenge. He was really just trying to distract me and turn my back to the gazebo.

This was the smartest move I could have ever made. Look at the picture below. See the gazebo through the trees on the left? Yup. I'm goooood. Can you picture the enormous "?" over Merrit's head?

He then told me that we were meeting my sister at the gazebo, so we made our way over there. This time, as we walked up the steps, it was decorated with roses, pictures of us, a stool, and a guitar. Of course, I'm thinking "This is it!! Finally!!" (She had no clue.) Matt had me sit on the stool and he played me a song that he had written for me. (Swoon)

As he sang the last line "I'm falling down to my knees..." he got down on his knee and sang
"Will you marry me? Will you marry me? Will you marry me? Merrit all I'm asking is will you marry me?"

He then pulled out the ring from his back pocket and if I hadn't said yes before, I certainly did after seeing ring!!

Actually there is video evidence that may suggest she didn't actually say "yes" until about 5 minutes later when I asked her if she did, to which she replied, "I think so." At that point I made sure she did.

Since we did get engaged on April Fools Day, some people didn't believe that this was for real. I left a message for one of my girlfriends that we were engaged and she left me a message announcing that she was pregnant with triplets! The funniest though came from Matt's dad who suggested that Matt now needed to take my ring back saying, "Just kidding. Its a CZ!"

Ok, truth is folks we're having triplets!

Matt's Music Mix for Merrit

2009-04-08T23:32:00.013-04:00

After Matt's first visit to Boston, it would be another month before I saw him again. To keep ourselves entertained, Matt started sending me Christmas carols he'd sung, only he would customize the words for us. My family got such a kick out of hearing each new song he sent. After Christmas was over, Christmas carols were replaced by love songs, but still customized. No wonder I fell in love with Matt. Not only is he super fun and creative, but he has a dreamy voice:)

As many of you are already aware I arranged some special tunes for Merrit. Here they are for your listening enjoyment.

Go to folder - FileFactory.com

Colorado girls is a favorite of mine and made it as my ring tone for a while.

Day #3 Together - 12/6/2008

2009-04-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

When my sister found out that Matt was coming to visit, she starting bugging me to meet him. I told her absolutely not as it would be the first time I met him and you don't throw the family into the picture until at least the second trip;) But things were going so well, that I needed my sister and brother-in-law's opinion to verify what it was I was feeling for Matt. So Matt graciously agreed to have brunch at my sister's house.

Ok, so guys seriously. How many of you would turn down brunch? Merrit could have taken me to a retirement home for hours of checkers if she said, "Oh and they'll be serving us brunch after Bingo."

She made fantastic crepes and we had a great time. After leaving, I realized I (strategically) left my laptop at their house, so we went back to get it. Matt stayed in the car while I went in. I found Dana and Rob on the couch talking and Rob looked at me, got emotional and said that this was it. I can't sufficiently explain the way I felt when he said that, but I felt his words confirmed to me in my heart. That experience shifted the balance of our relationship. Up to that point, Matt's visit had been a fun opportunity to get to know a cute new someone. I never really expected anything to develop from it though. All of a sudden though, things were getting serious!

That night, Matt had planned a surprise date for us:) He even sent me an evite beforehand:

The night started off with dinner at Antico Forno in the North End which was divine, followed by a most hilarious comedy show at Improv Asylum. Afterward, Matt continued the comedy show as we walked along the waterfront and through Fanuel Hall. Matt is very funny, just ask my nieces, and would make a great addition to any party;) The best part of the night though was Matt scoring us $3 parking in Boston!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing?!!!

Hmmm. Best part of the night was me being seen in public with Merrit. She is also a great scenic addition to any party. I mean she converses well and has a keen intellect, but let's face it she's smokin' gorgeous!

Matt: "So, how about starting P90X?"
Merrit: "Good thinking. Although your double chin is really soft."

Day #2 together - 12/5/08

2009-04-05T21:04:00.000-04:00

On our second day together, after a lazy morning, we visited Concord, MA. The visitors center was unfortunately closed, so we started walking Battle Field Road and giving ourselves a self guided tour of the historic sites. Only problem was that neither of us could remember much from our history classes, so the sites just became the backdrop for getting to know more about each other. It was during this time though that I first found out Matt possessed one of my dad's talents for being able to make up a fact and make it believable.

If you want proof that I can make something up and make it believable read our post on getting engaged. Skip to the part where I almost royally messed up my own plan and see how I recovered.

After our stroll we headed over to downtown Concord to partake in the scrumptious delights of the infamous Cheese Shop.

Because of this lil shop I now own my very own cheese slicer. Thanks, Merrit!

This place is truly fantastic (if you like cheese and crackers) and alone is worth a visit to Boston. Anybody want to come visit me? I promise to take you:) (But you only have until May 1st! After that she'll take you to a cheese shop in the ATL.)

The following pictures were taken at Walden Pond where we decided to enjoy our cheese goods in sub-zero temperatures. Ever have a picnic at -13? So much for trying to be romantic! It was lovely sitting on the blanket watching the sunset while eating heavenly cheese and cream soda, but once the sun was gone, we couldn't stop shivering.

That night we made dinner together while listening to Christmas music. Matt has a beautiful voice and I was completely romanced while he sang along and danced with me in the kitchen. This is the moment I really started to fall for him:)

MT & MT meet- 12/4/2008

2009-04-05T21:02:00.000-04:00

After two weeks talking on the phone and emailing, Matt flew to Boston. The week before he was scheduled to arrive I got pink eye! Could there be a worse time?!! I was so distraught and worried that the first time I would see Matt I would have green gunk coming out my eye. Matt, as always, was super sweet and sent me this ecard:

This gesture made my heart melt and I was even more excited to see him.

I knew I was feeling something for Matt since our phone conversations were so enjoyable (well, except for that first phone call. Just don't ask Matt what he does unless you are prepared for the long answer :) I just didn't know how our connection would translate from the phone to in person. I'd never done something like this before. Would I think he was attractive? Was he really as tall as his profile said he was?

Does she have a hairy back? Is she really a he? Did she actually post a picture of her hot cousin? I'm not sure why I flew up to meet her the weekend before finals, but the adventure was too much to pass up.

It wasn't long before I found out the answer to all the above was YES!! I picked Matt up from the airport on 12/4/08, and haven't stopped feeling the butterflies ever since!

In case you were wondering where this picture was taken...this is from the back of a bus. Yes, she picked me up from the airport in a bus. Now I realize it is typically the man's job to provide transportation, but at least I would have picked a bus more suitable for us both...the short one.

For our first date, we ate dinner at PF Chang's followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Boston Common. There was a show before the tree lighting featuring Brian McKnight. We enjoyed holding each other close since it was sooooooo cold, and singing Christmas carols together. I was immediately impressed by how well Matt could sing and how personable he was even to complete strangers. He had no problems striking up conversations with those around us and making us all laugh. That is indeed a talent.

The Christmas show was great all the way up until Mr. McKnight and his sons were performing. In the middle of a beautiful song one of his sons picked up an electric guitar for a solo, plucked the first string, and the power for the entire venue shut off. Complete darkness encompassed us until a shining light pierced the thick, black, blanket of night. A single red light, glowing like a beacon. Yes, it was Rudolf. No kidding. Rudolf was standing on stage with his nose all aglow saving Christmas once more. The entire place erupted into cheers and applause.

After the tree was lit, we headed over to Frog Pond to be humiliated by teenagers on skates.

And to show off my new, hot date.

I lost my glove while skating, so we walked to downtown crossing for some shopping :) Shopping with Matt is always an experience...

Merrit's strategic "losing her glove so we have to go shopping" was an insight about Merrit that I completely missed that night. And, by the way, the glove was not lost while skating. It was lost in the bathroom.

After shopping, we headed back to the Common to check out the newly lit Christmas Tree. Matt had been dying to kiss me all night (true story) and he finally got his chance as we admired the beautiful lights on the tree:) There were lights on the tree? There was a tree?

As we were walking back to my car, we ran into a group of firefighters who asked us to pose with their finger puppet Conky.

Conky is a Canadian television icon similar to Smokey the Bear. No two people are this excited to have their picture taken with a finger puppet. If you want the real story as to why we are smiling ask Merrit what she said just prior to this picture.

They were hilarious and it was a fun ending to a very memorable night!

Enjoy the video of Merrit on skates doing a twirl. I think it's her first time ever doing it.

It All Began When Two People Signed Into Link-up

2009-04-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

Matt and I met on the website www.ldslinkup.com. I'll have to give my sister Dana credit for this one. I never thought I would meet someone online but my sister was just convinced that she missed out by getting married before the dating online craze hit, so she had to experience that one through me. Here is my profile:

Here's mine:

(If you want to read our profiles click on them and a larger image will be shown.)

Little did I know that on November 17th, 2008 my life would be forever changed by this line from Matt:

"How's my favorite city these days? You guys freezin your butts off up there? I grew up across the borda' in NH."

After a few email exchanges he asked for my number. I'm not sure why I ever agreed to talk to him after that first conversation since he talked about the brainstem for two hours!!! I think I probably got five words in myself ;) But I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I spent maybe 4 minutes explaining what I was interested in. I was ready to switch gears and talk about something else except the five words she said were: "Tell me more about brainstems."