Our Beginnings

I
love you. Brandan and Christine didnt say that to each other when they first met, even though, in their case, love at first sight is probably a pretty good description. Both felt they had found someone they might want to marry. But even with that initial attraction, there were some hard decisions to make. They met at a BYU Alumni Singles Conference, April 31, 2011. Christine learned Brandan was a 35-year-old bachelor with an MBA working as a marketing manager for a mortgage bank in Midvale, Utah. Having grown up in Mesa, Arizona, he was the oldest of seven kids, ambitious, creative, a great dancer, a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fun to be around. Brandan learned a bit about Christine as well. She was a 34-year-old widow who had been living in Cache Valley, Utah, working as a composer, part-time preschool choir teacher, and double-time mother of four. She grew up the fourth of five kids in a small town in southern Idaho and later in her youth, lived in Washington and Arizona. They both enjoyed the conference, but the best was yet to come. After the event, Brandan joined Christine and her friend, Dawn, for an impromptu visit to the BYU Museum of Art to see the Carl Bloch exhibit. It was there they really began to connect. Brandan even offered to help Christine with her music website, which meant he needed her number. When the three parted for the evening, Christine noticed Brandan said goodbye specifically to her. It was a good sign. She was amazed. He knew that she was a widow, and he still seemed to be interested. She was filled with gratitude. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe in forever families, marriages sealed in Holy Temples not only for time but for all eternity. The Bible tells of God giving Peter authority that had effect not only on earth, but also in heaven, such that two people can be sealed together for eternity. They can literally be husband and wife forever, not just until death do ye part. This happens in sacred temples where men officiate with this God-given authority. It is a beautiful, crowning blessing in Gods kingdom. Being sealed in the temple was what Brandan always expected he would do. It is what Christine had already done, nearly twelve years before. But they both understood, since she was sealed to her first husband, Christine could not be sealed to another man in the temple. Because of this situationbefore Brandan had even asked her out Christine tried to break things off with him in an email. The result: Brandan was so impressed, he asked her out anyway. Two days later, however, he admitted he didnt see how it could work out. Six days went by. At first, they both felt right about not dating, but gradually the desire to be together returned. On their own, they were both studying the scriptures, searching for answers, praying, pondering, and thinking of each other. Early one morning, Christine opened her scriptures to read Alma 5:40 in the Book of Mormon. For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God. She thought of her friend, Brandan Hadlock, with whom she had mutually agreed not to date just a few days earlier. She wondered if he was still thinking of her and regretting their decision. Their fledgling relationship had been so good, already. Didnt that mean something? For Brandan, it had been hard to forget an amazing woman. That morning, just minutes after Christine read Alma 5:40, he picked up his phone and called her. Will you please tell me to quit thinking about you? he asked. She laughed and told him she couldnt, because hed have to tell her the same thing. And so Brandan and Christine began, or rather continued to study the scriptures, search for answers, pray, ponder, and think of each other, but this time, they shared their insights and thoughts. (They had some pretty great dates, too.) In this life, there is an Ideal. It is the easiest path of righteousness that leads to promised blessings. But this ideal does not happen for everyone who starts on the path. Death, divorce, sickness, disappointments, hardships all happen. These situations often necessitate pursuing promised blessings in paths that are different than the ideal. Brandan thought of the story of the Israelites Exodus. The ideal, the easiest road from Egypt to Canaan did not pass through the Red Sea, even a miraculously parted Red Sea. Yet, the Lord led the Israelites through this less-than-ideal road for his own purposes, that he might show forth his mighty power in delivering his people, that they might come unto him. Sometimes the harder road is our road to travel. When this is the case, that road is our ideal road. Christine received a phone call relaying a special message from the prophet, Thomas S. Monson. It was in response to a letter she sent, and came through Brother Ron Mortensen of the office of the First Presidency of the Church, relayed to her bishop. It was enough to resolve her concerns. Brother Mortensen said that the First Presidency is often asked the question: What happens when a woman is sealed to a man and now would like to marry another man who has not been sealed to anyone? She was told, We do not know how this will be resolved in the next life. However, there is nothing inappropriate or wrong. The First Presidency will neither encourage nor discourage the marriage of a man to a woman who is sealed to a deceased husband. . . . No blessings will be denied those striving to keep the commandments. If we have done what is in our ability to obey the commandments and keep our covenants all things will be resolved to our satisfaction. For Brandan and Christine it is hard to imagine married life, not sealed for eternity. It takes a little extra faith, that indeed, all things will be resolved to our satisfaction. But we know God is good. He loves us and will bless us. That is the beginning of our story. Weve had an adventurous summer getting to know one another, and trying to figure out how to successfully begin life as a new family. Christines children, Benjamin, Joshua, Anna and Maria like Brandan very much. (Whats not to like? Hes amazing . . . and so brave to take this on. We love him.) I love you. Thats a phrase Christine and Brandan often say to each other. And its what we say to you. (Now, we even get to say it together, We love you!) Were glad you are in our life and hope you join us on our special day as we can celebrate together this incredible union. Brandan and Christine