Monday, August 13, 2012

{ Interrupting our Current Programming For Another Love Story - Mine:) }

So our little Mormon Bachelor, Chris Barbour has finished his first round of dating with 11 AMAZING women:) - 12 originally but you may have noticed Kent had to step in to fill the shoes of one lovely lady that couldn't make it last minute.  Round 2 dates will start airing next week and we will be announcing a contest from tomorrow until then to guess who he brings on for a 2nd, but for today I wanted to indulge a little since The Mormon Bachelor/ette has been a huge part of my life for the past 2 years.

When the beautiful Aubrey Messick became the first Mormon Bachelorette it was an answer to her prayers and mine.  I was almost 30 years old and had really struggled to find Mr. Right.  I was so focused on the fact that I wasn't dating that I was miserable until we started TMB.  Putting so much work into helping other people find love helped me feel like I was making a difference and sharing the LDS Church standards of dating (modest dress, no smoking/drinking, no sex before marriage, etc.) at the same time which I hadn't been able to do in a big way since my mission in 2002 to Wellington, New Zealand.  It was the best - one of my best friends in the world Aubrey found the man of her dreams and they started an eternal family.  Others joined us along the way and several of them are married now too.  It has been the biggest blessing of my life and not to be a spoiler but I believe that our Mormon Bachelor now has also found true love:).

Many people have asked me since our 1st season with Aubrey why I don't put myself in the position as The Mormon Bachelorette.  My usual response is "because I don't know anyone that can run this thing while I go on 22 dates!" but now I have a better excuse ... I'M ENGAGED!!!

Yes, it is true - you can find true Mormon love at the ripe old age of 32.  I was 31 actually when Seth Schurtz came into my life - a blind date - and swept me off my feet.  We both talk about how crazy this journey has been - Seth is 31 and also LDS and has been in the military for the past 6 years which has kept him out of the typical LDS single's scene.  I couldn't believe he had stayed single for so long even though I always hated it when people would say "I can't believe you are still single!"  But he was so handsome and smart and kind and a gentleman.  I truly felt blessed that he and I found a connection and 5 months later made it official.

Yesterday morning he picked me up in a limo which had scattered rose petals inside and a box with a beautiful ring in it.  He helped me inside the car and sweetly asked me to be his eternal companion.  Of course I said YES and we were on our way to some mysterious location that turned out to be an airfield in San Diego.  I thought maybe he was going to fly us somewhere (Seth works as an F-18 pilot in the Marine Corps) but he sat in the backseat with me and we took a helicopter ride all around San Diego.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever done!  You can even see sharks in the water really close to shore from up there - creepy.  It was so romantic.  I feel so blessed and excited to spend the rest of my life with this amazing man and grateful that I can tell people that I can't be the next Mormon Bachelorette because I have found the man of my dreams:).  We are getting married in the Los Angeles Temple on September 29th and will live in sunny San Diego while he serves our country (which makes me so proud:).

Here are some pictures of our wonderful day yesterday - I hope you enjoy them and know that true Mormon love can come to those who wait:).







21 comments:

Brooke said...

Erin, you are gorgeous! I'm so happy you found your love. You guys make one hot couple! ;)

xo,
Brooke

Natalie, Topher & Grant said...

Crying. Seriously. Love you.

Christa Jeanne said...

Erin, I am so, so, so happy for you!!! Congratulations! You are such an amazing woman, and I'm so delighted to see that you've FINALLY found a man who's worthy of you and can see what a gem you are! Seth is a lucky man. ;)

Melanie Jacobson said...

Hooray for true love! Congratulations and all the best on life's most awesome adventure!

Lindsey said...

A blind date? Wow! That IS lucky! Who set you up?

Jenny Robbins said...

Yay! I'm so happy for you! That's so awesome that you have pictures! Congratulations!

meredith c. said...

im really happy you've found a good looking, sweet man, that can handle you, gurl. happy happy happy!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristen said...

:)

It Started With a Wink said...

Congratulations, you are such a wonderful person! I just get you and I can only imagine how you are feeling!

Whitty said...

Your story is an inspiration. I guess people are right when give all that advice that sometimes hurts to hear as a single adult, like "Just keep trying" or "Find a way to serve others" or "It's just not your time yet." Glad your time has finally come along.

Unknown said...

I knew that tall, dark, and handsome was your type.

Matt Laidlaw said...

Congrats again Erin! Seth seems like a great guy. I hope we can hang with you guys in the future.

Sara Borg said...

I could not be happier for you! I miss and love you and can't wait to hear all about this from you personally!!!

Anonymous said...

Erin I am just so happy with this news and to hear you tell your story just makes me so very joyful. I wish only a blessed future for you both.
Big Hugs

Becky said...

Congratulations Erin! So happy for you! And thanks for all your hard work on TMB. I've been a fan since day 1.

Angie said...

Congratulations Erin! He looks like such a catch - you guys will be great together I'm sure! Happy you found each other!

The Hoogland Family said...

Yeah for being a military wife! (I'm a Army wife), it can be rough sometimes but it is such an honor to be married to a man of that character. Love TMB!

Terry said...

Erin, I am SO THRILLED for you! From our days working together in the kitchen on Fast Sunday, I knew that you were absolute quality. And I knew that someone of similar caliber was who you were looking for . . . and who was looking for you. You have found each other and I could not be happier for you! Still miss seeing and working with you.

Shayla said...

Best. News. EVER!

Cathy said...

*sigh* <3

Unknown said...

YAY! I came over today, just hoping you had posted about it - Congrats! so happy for you both! ;)