Post Festival/Summer Goodies

So here begins the story.

One day Ciara spent the night at her friend, Lisa's. They went to church the next morning. During sunday school, the teacher gets up in front of the class, points to Ciara and say, "You. Stand up and introduce yourself." Ciara stood up and throughout the 5 minute introduction, responded to every witty question the teacher threw at her. Finally she was able to sit down, all other visitors were briefly mentioned, and class went on as normal.



The next day, Ciara's friend, Lisa, messeges her at work and asks, "What did you think of Lyle?" Ciara responds, "Who's that?" Lisa replies, "The guy who taught Sunday School." Ciara remembers, "Oh right! He was funny." Lisa goes on, "Last night, he came over after church and was like, 'is Ciara making out with anyone or seeing anyone?' " Lisa, the good friend she is, replies, "She goes out on dates with some guys, but no one serious." Then Lyle asks her if I would want to hang out, which see conveyed to Ciara. Ciara thinks Lyle could be cool so she casually says, "Ok. I am in." The plan was to meet up on Thursday night to go to a show (rock) in Provo.

That night (monday night), Ciara's plans fall through, and through a series of events, ends up hanging out with Lisa & her crew at FHE. Lyle ends up going as well, so the two finally meet again, flirt, sit next to each other during the "FHE movie" and somewhat cuddle. After a hug goodbye, they plan on seeing each other Thursday.



Thursday arrives and Ciara meets the group for dinner. Then they head over to the show...and WHAT A SHOW IT TURNED OUT TO BE. Ciara began to wonder if Lyle was too intense of a person for her. He was ROCKING out at the show and very much in his own realm. Ciara and Lisa watched questionably as Lyle and Scott (another friend) jammed to the tunes being played. After the night was over, Lyle asked Ciara for her number. Then he asked if I would answer the phone if he called or if I would avoid it. After confirming she would in fact answer the call, he asked if she wanted to go on a date with him that weekend. She said Saturday worked for her. He said he would call her to confirm.



On Saturday, after a little phone tag, they decide to meet at Belmont (although Lyle wanted to pick Ciara up in Cedar Hills, she said the offer won him points, but it was not worth it). They both looked GOOD and were ready to hit the town. Lyle was discreet about what the planned date would be. Soon they ended up at the Scera Outdoor Theater and as Lyle bought tickets explained, "We are going to see Fiddler on the Roof. Have you seen it?" Ciara's jaw dropped in pure shock. What kind of guy goes to a rocker show, then buys tickets for Fiddler on the Roof? Ciara explained she had grown up with the music in the background, but never saw the film. They got food, came back, and enjoyed the show. Ciara soon learned that Lyle calls himself a "Renaissance Man" because he can enjoy a punk rock show, a football game, and a museum all in one day. Ciara and Lyle sat on a blanket Lyle had brought for the occasion watching the performance. They laughed and cheered. When the show was over, they drove back to Lyle's apartment where he played the guitar for her. He explained the difference between his personal music (softer) to his band's music. He went into depth about the music he listens to and showed her his ENTIRE collection. At one point during the evening, Lyle explained a poem that changed his life which he put into lyrics. He played the song for Ciara, and her heart pretty much stopped. She felt like she saw into him. She felt like she's never felt before. All of a sudden with a storm of goosebumps and a racing heart, she decided she had a BIG crush on this boy! Lyle walked her to her car, gave her a hug, and asked if he asked her out again, if it would be a pity date or he she would really want to go. Ciara said it wouldn't be a pity date. Lyle asked if he would avoid his call if he called her. She said she wouldn't avoid his call...even promised that she wouldn't. With that, he said he would call her. Ciara drove home, the most giddy and probably happiest she had been all summer...




From that point, Ciara and Lyle went out on more dates. They saw each other (by chance) at church activities, parties, or house visits pretty much everyday. Almost two weeks after they started dating, Lyle kissed her...FINALLY. Ciara moved into Belmont (not specifically because of him, but was planning it the entire time), began working full time, and enjoyed every minute she spent with him. After over a month of dating, the words "boyfriend", "girlfriend", "couple" surfaced, and after a talk, they decided they were ready for the terms and what they meant. Ciara introduced Lyle as her boyfriend to her close friends and husbands which was a BIG deal to her. She had never used that term to really mean anything before. Lyle introduced Ciara to all his hometown buddies and spouses. They did FUN things all the time including, but not limited to: the circus, the mae concert, the killers concert, random local concerts, the ben harper concert, movies, the Utah State Fair, shopping and dinner in Park City, birthday parties, 80s dancing, Jazz Games, watching complete seasons of the office and arrested development, and they even bumped into one another at the gym from time to time.

Yes, this might have been our first photo together. He wanted the photographer to know for the record I was with him (and not the boy to my right...his friend, Marshall).

My good friend Lees who made belmont and lyle possible!

Lookin GOOD for 80s dancing...

I should have warned you...

In November, the couple will have been dating for 3 months. (This is the longest Ciara has EVER dated anyone.) They don't take themselves too seriously, or the relationship, but are exclusive, and content. They don't talk about engagements or marriages because they are happy with taking things slow and learning new things about each other. Lyle knows Ciara is definitely forgetful and Ciara knows how Lyle can stress about his imperfections. There are so many more things they have to learn about each other, but are enjoying the ride.

Strike 1 at picture taking...

Strike 2 (he just makes me laugh always)...


Finally one turned out ok...ok, not good, but ok.

Facts about Lyle:

Age: 25

Occupation: assistant to Dr. Braithwaite in American Fork, UT full time

School History: graduated from BYU in English Lit (this past August), and will attend Dental School somewhere in the Fall

Hometown: Granite Bay (Sacramento), CA

Shoes: Converse

Jeans: Ernest Sewn

Hair: Black

Biceps & Chest: like Mark Whalberg's!

Church calling: Sunday School President

Car: White Honda Accord

Hobby: Writing, reading, his band, football, and basketball

Ok all, I'm up to date. I will post Sunday or Monday...be prepared!