Wedding Details / Directions for reception

The open-house style reception will be Thursday, January 15 at the Thanksgiving Point Garden Room from 6:30- 9:00 p.m. We will be married the following morning in the Salt Lake Temple.


Directions / Map for Reception
The Garden Room at Thanksgiving Point is well marked from the Alpine exit.
* Go West off the exit and straight through the light. Do NOT turn on frontage road/Thanksgiving Point way.
* Head straight down Clubhouse Drive to the stop sign.
* Turn right onto Garden Drive.
* The Garden Room is at the end of the road.

Engagement photos

Really, this is our Halloween costumes this year combined with Rick's photoshop skills. Wouldn't it be fun if this really were our engagement photo? (Yes, we are nerdy... we also enjoy sci-fi films)

Engagement Story

This was posted this on Betsy's peronal blog shortly after it happened. Rick posted a comment on that blog with his side of the story. His comment is included below.

Date of original post: September 24, 2008

Sneaky Rick surprised me with an engagement ring while riding City Creek on Tuesday night. We'd shopped for rings, and I didn't think he'd be able to surprise me when the actual time came. I was wrong. In fact, I was so clueless that I kept trying to get him to ditch me the whole ride. I wasn't feeling very well and didn't want to ride too hard so I kept telling him to ride ahead so he would have a good ride. He was cute and kept assuring me that he'd rather ride with me. But really, that is typical Rick so there is no reason that would have clued me in.

We got to the water treatment plant up the canyon and I decided I was done. If you haven't been there, it's sort of an ugly place up a really pretty canyon. Rick asked if we could ride a little farther. I was a little surprised that, knowing I didn't feel well, he was asking me to keep going. (Silly Betsy)

About 15 minutes later, I'd really hit my limit and said I needed to turn around. Rick asked if we could rest a minute before heading back. Again, I thought it was a little weird because why do you have to rest before going downhill, but still didn't think much of it. So I was still on my bike and Rick had put his to the side of the road. He was suddenly next to me on his knee. At this point you'd think I'd clue in-- nope, I just thought he was adjusting his shoe or something. Then he showed me the ring and posed the big question- it's a bit of blur after that. I think I said "What?" a number of times getting louder and more excited each time. Rick said there was a bit of squealing as well. We took a couple of photos right after but only had my phone so they aren't so good. This is just after we got back to my house. I like the biking glove and Rick's shoe in the background.

Like I mentioned, we had shopped for rings and picked about five of them that we both liked. Rick made the final decision. This one was my favorite, and since seeing it in the store was the one I pictured on my finger. I was very pleased with his choice. This photo isn't very good. I think it makes it look like my ring is black- it's really all white gold with bling. So much for my photo skills.

Rick's side of the story...

I was sure she knew about it the whole ride. I was trying to keep the perma-grin off my face and as we entered memory grove Betsy suddenly looked over and said to me with a grin, "You may do whatever you wish now." My pulse quickened (glad that I had left my heartrate monitor at home) and I thought, "Ah foiled," but asked for clarification as to what she meant. She then stated that I could ride on ahead if I wished. Whew, what a relief, although my pulse only slowed minimally.

I was wearing the ring on my pinky, under the glove and kept checking it every few minutes to make sure it wasn't peeking out. I also was trying to ride on the inside of the trail so she definitely wouldn't be able to see the ring.

Yes, she did squeal after/while she said "what, What, WHAT?! You have it?", Then it all turned into a dream-like movie sequence... the birds came out a-flyin' and the sylvan creatures danced merrily about in celebration of our betrothal. A few joggers on the trail down hill also squealed in excitement as Betsy wanted the whole world to share in her excitement. I was pleased that she was surprised.

How it all happened - Betsy's perspective

WARNING: HEAVY CHEESE (There's just no other way to tell it)

It's hard to believe that six months ago I didn't even know Rick existed, except in the "somewhere out there..." sense of knowing. Last Spring, I decided to try online dating. I'd done a couple of brief online stints over the years and felt like it just wasn't a good way for me to meet men. This time around, my girlfriends and I decided to start a single girl's secret blog where we could anonymously write our dating adventures. I wanted the blog to motivate me to find interesting dating stories to write about. Not knowing where to find good blogging tales, I turned to internet dating.

This time around was different because instead of feeling vulnerable, I just felt like I had an assignment for my blog. It was easy and fun. I was only on a few weeks before I met Rick. He was my second online date.

Date one: He came up to Salt Lake and met me at my favorite Thai restaurant. Having been in a few relationships that just seemed really hard, I had prayed that when I met the right guy, we'd both know it right away. Our eyes met and it felt like lightening had struck. We had a nice dinner with easy conversation. Then I invited him to the Broadway to see an indie film I'd been wanting to see. He was excited and we both loved the film. He passed the indie movie test, I was pleased.

Date two: Rick called and asked me out for the next weekend. We took our mountain bikes up to Sundance. More points for Rick-- he liked to bike. Not to mention he planned really cool dates and treated me extremely well.

Date three: Utah symphony up at Deer Valley. I was pretty much hooked at this point. I think we talked that night and admitted we were both freaking out as we liked each other a lot but knew each other only a little. I've never had that happen before. I've been someone who lives in my head, but my heart was totally in charge of this one. I was totally swept off my feet.

Two months later we were engaged. Rick is so many things I had given up on finding in a guy. Being single for so long, I just figured I'd have to settle in certain areas. Rick proved me wrong. I had no idea a man like him existed. I consider myself one lucky girl!

How it all happened - Ricks's perspective

Have you ever met someone that at first you didn't seem to click with, but for some strange reason you hung around anyway and things turned out better than you could have imagined? Well, that doesn't describe Betsy at all. She captivated me right away. I wouldn't say we met online. We met in a restaurant and I was late, because I wouldn't want her to get the wrong impression about me. Although, if it hadn't been for the Mormon internet dating sites, I doubt we would've ever met, because I had never dated any of her friends previously. We actually did click quite nicely on our first date. It was a pleasant surprise.

Date one: A Thai restaurant near her home. I walked in and she sitting down, rummaging through her purse, probably looking for her cell phone, which I have since learned is a common practice. I was a bit afraid to stare into her eyes, her lovely eyes, so I would look at her and then coyly look out the window as if I were in thought. It all seems pretty silly now, but I was being drawn in by her eyes and I didn't know just what to make of it. As dinner was ending, she invited me to a foreign film and if that didn't hook me, nothing could have.

Date two: I have a season pass to Sundance Resort, mainly for skiing, but since we both love to bike, although I'm more of a roadie, I figured I'd invite Betsy up to Sundance, that way I could let her show me up as I proceeded to crash while riding ahead of her. The weather was nice, the scenery beautiful and I was really starting to like spending time with her. She showed herself to be fun in varying situation and this time, instead of me being late, I made her late to a family outing later that evening.

Date three: I love the symphony and I had always wanted to see the 1812 Overture with live cannon. So, I invited Betsy along and she seemed genuinely pleased with my selection of activity. Riding up to Deer Valley afforded us the opportunity to talk and play name that band. I think I impressed her with my musical knowledge. The concert was great, although we talked during much of it. I was dying to kiss her at this point. The atmosphere was great, except for the fact that we were surrounded by hoards of onlookers, not romantic enough for a first kiss. After the concert, there was a long line of cars leaving the venue, so I suggested we find a bench to wait out the traffic. Really, I just wanted some extra time to talk to her about everything. We did talk about lots of things and it was a great evening. We drove back to her condo and I found the proper setting for a romantic first kiss.

I guess I must have impressed her. She definitely impressed me and now look what has happened. I feel really lucky.

To be a little sappy and silly, which is oh so me, I would like to add that Betsy reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday because she seems to be a breath of fresh air in a crowded and musty city and I get to be Gregory Peck showing her new sights that she may have missed otherwise, but there are also glimpses of Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief and Rear Window with a lovely mixture of charm, mystery and honesty.