Take My Hand

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

David Brian Wilton

Elissa Marie Taylor

Welcome you to there blog!!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Who am I? Good question… I have been many versions of me throughout my life. Right now my answer would be very different than what it was just months ago. When you get married you take your own identity and fuse it or bring it together with that of your spouse. Then the question becomes, who are we? I don't know how to answer that fully but I look forward to learning the answer.

I am a daughter of two amazing parents that love and support me in every good or crazy idea I ever had. My Father was in the Air force for 20 years and because of that we got to move all over the world. I am a British born American citizen. I lived in England, Turkey and Australia. I was one of the owners of 3 dogs, 4 cats, 6 fish, countless hamsters and a tank full of sea monkeys. I went to the best mission on earth in Malaga Spain. I am a sister to a man and two beautiful women. I am an aunt to 5 talented and loving niece and nephews. I am a friend to many in need of a friend and I am a best friend to many whom I need. I work in the happiest place on earth and I manage an even happier place filled with chocolate. I have been a part of many callings in my church and most recently have been able to work with the amazing sisters in my singles ward. I am many things. I am a daughter of God. I know who I am. I am a fiancé, I am a woman, I am capable of so many things.

At this very moment I am happy. I am marrying the love of my life! I can honestly say that. Never have I loved someone like I love David. I know that I am truly lucky. I was blessed with the opportunity to be with my first true love. God has opened the doors of heaven and poured a blessing upon my head. I know that David and I are meant for eternity and will settle for nothing less.

Who are we? We are two people that love each other. We are ready to face what life holds for us hand in hand. Two separate identities willing to work together to become something great.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

First Date

On a typical first date one would see a couple going to a dinner and movie or playing a game of mini golf, but David and I were never meant to be typical! Our first date as some may call it was to meet up at a scheduled time to watch a show we both loved. Seeing as how we were both in separate countries the only way to do this was through the fabulous technological wonder called instant messaging.

Our first “real” or in person date would be a not so typical one as well. When we decided to see each other I hopped on a plane and went down to Belize. Let me tell you, this was a date to top all dates. How many can say they went to paradise for a first date. On the flight down I was quite nervous about what he would think of me and also what I would think of him. I had a few standards that I could not let pass. I am 6 foot and have never and would never settle for a man that was not greater than or equal to 6 feet. Now David had told me previously that he was in fact able to pass that test. As I walked out of the terminal I finally got to see him, holding for me, a beautifully hand crafted sign out of cardboard with the words, “LaFawnDuh” on it. After being mesmerized by his beautiful eyes and charming smile, I began to question his honesty in the height department. There David and I met and as I stood next to him I felt that the whole thing may have to come to a screeching halt right there, which was too bad because we had connected on so many other levels. But then I decided to see it through. What else could I do? I was in Paradise!

His “driver” Jorge was standing next to him. How often can someone say they had a personal driver on their first date, other than maybe some really rich people? We did all this on a starving student and a chocolate shop manager’s salary, which makes it all that much less typical.

On our way back into town we stopped for lunch at a local thatched roof cabin like thing called Amigos. There I got a real native meal, a buffalo chicken sandwich. The men across from us were eating spicy chicken wings, another very native thing. And if you believe that it was native food I will tell you another one. During the meal and in the car ride Jorge and I talked together in Spanish about Don David. That is what Jorge and as I would found out all the natives called him. Jorge had very good things to say about him and because of that my feelings for David grew and yet his height didn’t seem too.

Jorge then pulled into the Belize Zoo. From the road you never would have known there was a zoo back there, just a lot of trees. Had I not of had some very long conversations in the months previous with David I think I would have been worried right about then as to why we were headed into some dark secluded woods. So he dropped us off and took off to David’s home with my bags. I was slightly worried to not have all my things at my disposal, but what could I do.

There David got us a tour where we got to get down and personal with the Jaguars that the Zoo saved from being killed by the local farmers, for raiding local livestock. It was an amazing experience. We got to feed the Jaguars and watch them play. I feared for my life a few times as the Jaguar jumped at me when I got a little to close, but what good date doesn’t have a little fearing for your life in it?

From there we walked around the zoo which didn’t really have fences keeping the animals in their areas. My favorite barrier, as one may call it, was the little ditches and 2 pieces of wood that they had in between us and the Alligators. Because of these fantastic structures I was put on guard for any creatures that may be lurking around any corner. Needless to say I then freaked myself out with a large structure that I was sure was the real thing. But to my embarrassment and David’s delight it was a not so life like wooden carving of an alligator.

We then walked around to a look out area where we sat together and held hands for the first time. Unfortunately for us the mosquitoes wanted to get in on the action so we had to vacate the premises.

From the zoo we got onto a crowded school bus, the public transportation there, and cuddled together for our ride into town. As our first date came to an end I began to worry less about the height and new that things would turn out alright. As it turned out not but a few days later, I confessed my fears of height or lack there of to David’s roommates we discovered that my fears could be put to rest; one of them knew just how to fix David’s height problem (It is amazing what happens when you stand up straight). I had found a man that truly did match up to my requirements. How lucky I am to have found David and as we prepare now for marriage in a not so typical place, I look forward to the many adventures that we will have that all started from a not so typical first date.

A Day of a Million Dreams

It was a HOT Saturday, Elissa and I had decided to go to Disney … Just the two of us.

The night before …. Elissa and I were over at my parents' house, I had been trying to get in touch with her Mom and Dad to receive their blessing all week, and we kept missing each other. Needless to say I was very uneasy as we went right up to the last minutes trying to get a hold of them. I had been in communication with a network of my own personal spies and operatives. They were disguised as Elissa's Sister, My Mom & Dad, and My Nanny to distract and occupy Elissa's attention while I ran upstairs to talk with her Mom and Dad, well the timing was finally right and I had my Dad and Nanny distract Elissa in deep conversation so she would not miss me. I spoke to Elissa's Mom and Dad about my intentions and my plans for the following day at Disney…

As I said before it was VERY HOT on Saturday, we started OUR Disney day at the Animal Kingdom. Little did Elissa Know what lay in store for her on this day… We did what any Disney Theme Park Expert would do, ride the best rides, take lots of candid photos of the mass humanity and each other, then as quickly as possible move on to the next park!!

A few nights before Saturday, I looked online and did some research on several locations within the world of Disney to "pop" the question. With several locations in each park I was ready for anything. As we explored the Animal Kingdom and passed my pre-selected locations none were right, Elissa would not be proposed to in the Animal Kingdom. The temperature was rising and we had "completed" the animal kingdom so we moved on to the next park, Disney's Hollywood Studios. Well as the experts we are we RAN in JUMPED on the Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster and RAN out.

Before, during, and after each ride I kept a firm grip on my lower left cargo pants pocket (the location of the little black box holding the ring), I am still not sure if Elissa noticed or not. My mom had told me the night Before "DO NOT LOSE THE RING!!!! WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT LOSE THE RING" and those words continued to echo in my head throughout the entire day.

We were in ECPOT when the sun started really getting to us. We both were hot and "glowing". Elissa started saying "we should go home." She tempted me with taking a shower and cooling off then going to a dinner somewhere nice. Never have I seen Elissa be more persistent, nor my resolve more firm to stay and visit all four parks. Today was the day to make a dream come true!! Regardless of how persistent Elissa was to go home!

We then went on the monorail from ECPOT to The Magic Kingdom and it felt right, I knew that I would ask the question in this park, it was the place!!! But where?? I had about four locations picked out for the Magic Kingdom. We went on a few rides; all the while Elissa continued to suggest that we go home and get cooled off…

One of the pre-selected locations was the Haunted Mansion as we were on the ride; I was contemplating whether or not to ask on this ride; Elissa spoke up about how they had changed the portraits on the walls to be much more creepy. I knew with those words that this was not the right place! We then made our way to the Peter Pan's Flight another pre-selected location for several reasons, it was a favorite ride for both of us, Elissa was born in England, and in the ride you "fly" over London, the perfect location and place to propose… Only two problems… the wait for the ride was over two hours and the line is in the sun, with Elissa's continued persistence by the time we were "flying over London" she would of said "no"…

It's at this point that the one, and really the only location reveled itself to me it was the place I had decided to propose a few days before, but I just did not know it yet...

On the steps of Cinderella's Castle!

We were headed from the line of the peter pan ride to space mountain. Elissa's persistence to leave was now falling on death ears. As a diversion, I told Elissa a lame story about how my sister wanted me to look at Cinderella's wishing well right beside the castle and that I wanted to get her photo. Elissa still had no clue what was about to happen.

We walked around the castle to a fairly remote area; I had Elissa sit down on a bench and I told her I wanted to take a photo. I then assumed the position pass-faked the camera grabbed the ring and said "Elissa you know I love you, will you marry me?" She said yes and a dream came true.

As we stood there savoring the moment a couple walked by and told us "congratulations" and that they too were engaged in the Magic Kingdom and have been married now for 10 happy years.

Elissa's mood completely changed the sun was not as hot, we went into our own little world and it was wonderful. Its amazing how we went from being in a park with thousands of people to just Elissa and I (I liked that…).

We went to get some tags to commemorate this special day and here is what we got !

Wedding Ceremony

David and Elissa will be sealed together for time and all eternity on August, 9 2008 in a private ceremony in the Orlando Florida Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.