Don-Mike's engaged

Don-Mike and Amber

We are so excited to welcome Amber Hayes into our family. Amber grew up next door to us. They moved into the house north of us when Amber was 10. I think it was earlier, because Amber would have been 10 in 1992. Daddy died in May of '92. They already lived there when Daddy died. Amber remembers 10. We moved to Preston in 1995. It was going to be a short sojourn, but almost 17 years later, we are still here.

Mother & Daddy, Mother's parents, Fred & Jennie Porter, & Don & I were all married on Dec. 15 in the Logan LDS Temple. This year December 15 fell on a Thursday. Mother & I decided we were going out to dinner to celebrate our anniversaries. I told Don-Mike, who had a rare Thursday off, he was welcome to join us unless he had a date. Mother said he could bring his date. I was scandalized. "Mother! You don't bring a date to a family dinner unless it's Amber ... or (my brain was racing frantically. I couldn't think of anyone else I would be comfortable with.) ... Amber. You don't bring just anyone to a family dinner."

A couple of hours later, Don-Mike & Amber show up to pick up Mother & I in Don's car. Oooo-kay! I thought back to our earlier conversation & thought it was nice he had brought Amber. I love Amber. I seriously wondered if it was date, but ... wasn't sure. It's best not to assume when you aren't sure.

Mother & I sat in the back seat. We met Don & Nick at the Golden Corral. They went down in Nick's Corvette. After dinner, Nick wanted Don-Mike to go with him. Don-Mike didn't & Nick stormed out. Don said he didn't start talking until they were almost to Richmond.

As soon as Nick & Don left, Don-Mike jumped up & said, "I'm on a date! You don't just walk off & leave a DATE!" Amber & I looked at each other. "Oh! It IS a date!"

Their next date was a movie night at our house. Don-Mike rearranged the front room so the couch (love seat) is in front of the TV so they could sit together. By the end of the evening, Don-Mike had his arm around her. I put Mother to bed & I hissed, "Mother! He's got his arm around her!" Mother said, "I saw that. I've got to get my temple recommend so I can go to the temple with them."

He spent Christmas Eve with Amber's family. They went to a party at Ian & Heather Porter's on New Year's Eve & stayed out til 5 A.M. They were in good company though. Besides Ian & Heather, there was Mike & Natasha Porter & Ian's brother Cord. And, of course, the babies. Ian & Heather's daughter Xandi & Mike & Tasha's son Dominic.

Don-Mike had big plans of how he was going to ask Amber to marry him. I told him Bill Fish had asked Gwen to marry him by pushing a conversation heart that said, "Marry me." to her plate at the Senior Center dinner on Valentine's Day. Don-Mike said he was going to buy a heart-shaped pizza with "Marry me." on it. In the end he just blurted it out. Amber said he looked through all the conversation hearts she had given him, but couldn't find what he wanted.

I told Don-Mike when we talked about how to ask her to marry him that he didn't have to wait until Dec. 15 to get married. The place is more important than the date. The original date was June 15. They moved it up to March 15, which is a Thursday, & the reception will be Friday, March 16, in the Preston 1st, 5th & 8th Ward building.

Mother & Amber have always had a special bond. As have Mother & Don-Mikel. It's a good thing, because they will move in with Mother, here at 425 N. State until we can get the house finished on First East.