There are a lot of songs our there that remind me of my sweetheart Daren. Pretty much any love song I hear, and if he isn't already on my mind (not often) he pops right up. Well I was running with my ipod a few days ago and thinking of my fiancee' when this song came on. As I listened, I was reminded of a time when Daren meant almost nothing to me, and I to him. When we knew eachother, but didn't know eachother. I thought about how quickly that changed just one short year later. He went from "Zero, to Hero" in my eyes. When I thought this, I laughed outloud, and continued laughing as the song played. Then I played it again and laughed again. So I thought I'd share and maybe you'd laugh too :)
He was a no one A zero, zero Now he's a hotshot, He's a hero Here was a kid with his act down packed From zero to hero in no time flat Zero to hero just like that
Say amen There he goes again Sweet and undefeated And an awesome 10 for 10 Folks lined up Just to watch him flex And this perfect package packed a pair of pretty pecs (Ok this REALLY made me laugh)
He sure had moxie, brains, and spunk From zero to hero a major hunk Zero to hero and who'da thunk?
Isn't he bold? Nobody braver. Is he sweet? Our favorite flavor!
I still, after all this time can't believe I'm engaged to Daren Cullimore. The same Daren Cullimore that I barely knew, barely acknowledged in 2009. And now, he really is my hero. My protecting, providing, presiding, priesthood wielding hero. Husband Hero! To the rescue!
"I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run and I had the best days with you."
Kaleb, Oh my jolly older brother! How I love you! My fondest childhood memories are of the time you spent with us at the beach, iceskating, playing sports, and just relaxing at home. I don't know if you remember, but I remember when I was afraid to go out past where the ocean waves break at the beach. They were so big, but you were bigger in my eyes. You held my hand and made sure I felt safe. You told me when to jump and when to swim under. I remember the feeling of the waves lifting me off my feet, but I was anchored to you. I knew I wasn't going anywhere. Eventually you let go of my hand and let me go off on my own. I took all that you taught me and swam about, enjoying the waves. I think about that day often. You taught me so many other things: you taught me to throw discus and shotput, you played football with me, basketball, tennis, disneymania, monopoly, you name it, you played with your little sisters. You taught me so much more than that though. Your example has taught me more than you know. Your kindness and childlike love for life has always inspired me and made me laugh. I love your nonsense. I'll always remember that giant eye that follows me around. It doesn't see anything, but MAN is it CREEPY! I love you, and I know you love and want what's best for me. Thank you for everything you've taught me. Thank you for being my anchor and my example until I was ready to take on the ocean on my own. I flounder sometimes, but I remember what I learned from you and I can make it past any wave that comes my way.
Jane, I'm so glad I can call you sister. I look up to you so much. I think you are a fantastic mother and I hope I can be like you in that way someday. I love it when you share blogs and creative websites with me. I hope we always do that when we get together. I love you and Kaleb together. Seeing you always makes me happy. I hope I can come to you for advice in my marriage and when I'm ready to be a mom. Thank you so much for being a part of our family. I love you!
Darren, You are my big brother. You always challenged me to be better, even when I didn't want to be challenged. You'll probably deny this, but I will never forget how you would come into mine, Kessia's and Krista's room late at night and wake us up to talk to us. We screamed and yelled for you to leave, but you stayed. I always loved those late night talks. I remember when you would take us to Joshua Hills late at night to play basketball. We would climb the fence and take off running if we saw a janitor coming. You tied a backpack to that old yellow sled and Krista, Kessia, and I would sit on it and you would pull us around on the grass. The three of us could never pull you in return. Once you took us to the track at Palmdal High. You told me if I ran an 800 in under a certain time, you would buy me a slurpee. I ran. You wouldn't tell me my time until after you bought me the drink. I was one second off, but you still bought it for me. I never forgot that. You took me running on the street, and sometimes run/yardsale shopping. Raingutter boat racing was always one of my favorite things, you jumped in waste high water to save our boats from going down to the sewer. Once you came home talking about this giant fish tank that someone was throwing away and how you wanted it. You let me tag along and we dressed in black and went and rescued it from the curb. I can't remember why, or what we used it for, but I loved all of our crazy adventures. Everything we did, I looked up to you. I still do. Everything I do now, I hope you approve of, no matter how much I deny it I truly care what you think and want you to be proud of me. I love you, brother. I want to follow in your footsteps.
Janell, Our family get togethers aren't complete without you. I don't get to see you as much as I'd like to, but when I do I love being around you. I love your sweetness. Your laugh is contagious and you are so much fun. You're my sister and I love you.
Zachary, There is no one quite like you. I don't think our family would function without you. You are the adhesive that keeps us all together. You do everything we all know we want to do. I admire you so much, and peanutbutter and marshmallows? GROSS! That just grosses me out! Ha. I can't believe you put up with me. I love to tease you Zach, but I do it lovingly, if you can believe it. Like when I call you David, instead of Zachary, or when I come give you a big hug and smooch, because I know you'll push me away. I know you are the most patient person on the planet. You're an inspiration to me and countless others. Mom told me once that you were special. She said that in heaven you were a brave warrior of the Lord and you fought against Satan so valiantly that he tried his best to make your life harder than most people's. You are so strong, and I believe her words. In spite of all of the challenges you face, you still find this joy in life and want to share it with others. I love you so much. You are my hero.
Kessia, You are my big sister. You are amazing. I can't think of a single thing I don't admire about you. I want to be more like you. No one quite laughs like you and I. It makes my guts hurt just thinking about it. There's no bond quite like that of sisters and you are the best there is. You're an example to me and you are the best influence I could ask for. I am so glad I get to watch and follow you in life. I know I haven't always felt that way. We used to fight. I threw chairs at you. Once I threw a coaster at you. It hit the floor and bounced up and broke a window. I think we looked at each other and laughed. I like to think I've grown since then. I remember Monday night movies with you at the Movies 8; running around the theatre in sweats because no one else was there on Mondays. I loved our Barne's and Noble runs and all the time we spent together in the summers. We house-sat for the Williams and killed all their plants. We lived together in Provo. Movie nights with you, eating French Bread, and Nutella were my favorite. We hiked the Timp all night and were utterly unprepared. You went on a mission and I missed you all the time. Your letters encouraged me. You came back and we ran a half marathon together! Kessia, we will always be close. You and Krista are my best friends. The three of us have something truly special in each other. I have the best sisters in the whole wide world!!!!! I love you.
"God smiles on my little sister, inside and out she's better than I am"
Krista, You are my baby sister, but you are the example to me. You are doing such great things and I look up to you for that. You are so much smarter than me in a million ways, thanks for being so humble about it ;). We have a lot of fun together. We have that sisterly bond and I love the things we do together. I love hearing about how school is going and how track and all of your other sports are coming. I love picking you up from school, even when I have to take 12 of your friends home too. I love when we shop together, when we take silly pictures with the webcam, facebook chat when we're sitting 3 feet away from eachother, I love just relaxing with you: watching movies and eating HEALTHY food. I remember when we went to Hollywood Video to find a scary movie to watch on Halloween, but they all looked too awful, so we picked out a good chick-flick. I love our private jokes, "No you wear a jacket." "No YOU shutup!" (Those are two different jokes, but they're remarkably similar. Ha.)I love laughing with you. We're funny...soooo funny. And pretty...soooo pretty. I love it when you let me do your hair and makeup and do big sister things for you, like make your Halloween costume, or Spirit Day outfit. Thanks for letting me feel like the big sister sometimes, thank you for letting me do things for you. You are always the best listener when I want to talk about silly girl things. Thank you so much for putting up with all of my none sense. I love you so much baby sister. You and Kessia are my very best friends. You are the best sisters in the whole world! (Like I already told Kessia) We have something really special and we will always be close. Thank you for everything you do for me Krista. I appreciate you so much.
"I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger."
Dad, I don't express to you enough what you mean to me. I don't think I've ever told you how much I love listening to you talk. I remember going to volleyball tournaments, track meets, and whatever else with you. We usually had to drive at least an hour. I always loved sitting in the car just talking with you. Especially coming home. I was tired and sometimes I would fall asleep to your voice. There isn't any other sound that makes me feel more relaxed and happy. I always loved playing the game where we guess what time we'll get home. You always won. You are knowledgeable in so many areas. Sometimes when you talk to me I wonder "Why and how on earth does he know this?" But I loved hearing it. Do you remember Christmas of 2009? We went to Utah to see family. Krista and Mom went home early. You, Zach, and I walked around Temple Square together. That is my favorite Christmas memory. We walked around in the night chill arm and arm. I don't remember what you said, but I remember how I felt: cold, all I had was my family reunion sweatshirt, but I was so happy just to walk with you. Then we got to drive home together; the whole 9 hours. You told me stories about your childhood friend Carlisle, and growing up in Parawon. We stopped at Quizno's for dinner. I loved that trip. Despite all my complaining, I like watching "boring" TV with you. Even if it's How It's Made: GLUE. I admire you so much Dad. I admire your knowledge, your work ethic, and most of all your patience and unconditional love for all of us. That is a characteristic I want to emulate with my family. I know I can come to you with anything, and you will help me and support me any way you can. I want to make you proud of me. I remember when we were little and we compared everything to you. When I learned that an eagle's wingspan was taller than Dad, I couldn't believe it. You were a giant to me. You still are. I love you Dad.
"My Daddy's smart, and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world."
Mom, I remember when I was little, I would try to remember to tell you "I love you mom, you're beautiful," everyday. I remember vaguely sitting at the bar one day and telling you that you were more beautiful than all of the unicorns in the whole world. To a young girl, that's a pretty big deal you see. I remember cuddling with you and watching Murder She Wrote with you, and Hello Dolly, and other Mommy shows. I remember our Girl's Nights, when the boys were out on a campout. I don't remember what we did, but I remember how much fun we had, I remember always being excited for those nights. I remember once we all got the stomach flu. The TV room was piled high with blankets crackers and sprite. As miserable as the stomach flu is, parts of that experience were really nice, and for some reason that memory sticks out to me. I got a little older and I became the biggest brat imaginable. I can't believe you put up with me. I'm sorry for all of those years. I know my teenage girls are going to get me back for that, but I hope when they grow up, they feel the way about me, that I feel about you. I love you Mom. I love talking to you and hearing about how everything at home is. I love it when you tell me about family history and your latest breakthrough. I love being able to call you when I'm excited about something, or when I need advice. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for always being willing to listen and offer guidance. I think I must have forgotten in highschool that you know everything, I remember that now and I will be calling for help often. I love spending time with you. Whether it's sewing, shopping, or just running errands and talking. I remember when I was 11 you took me to San Diego to go to the temple and shop and have fun to celebrate my "becoming a woman." You said we were going to "Paint the town red!" I remember saying, "Moooooom!!! and being totally embarrassed by that comment. I had so much fun that day. You bought me an outfit from K-mart and an icecream so big I couldn't finish it and I felt sick on the way home. I want you to always be a big part of my life Mom. I want to be like you. I want to have your compassion for those less fortunate. I want to be able to see people's needs the way you do. I hope I can find the strength you have. You do so much for me, thank you so much for everything. I'll make it up to you with Grandbabies to spoil someday. And I promise, you will always be welcome to come and see and treat them. They are all going to be Grandma's girls and boys for sure. Again, I love you so much. Thank you for being the best Mom in the whole world.
"Now I know why all the trees change in the fall, I know you were on my side even when I was wrong and I love you for giving me your eyes and staying back and watching me shine. I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today."
Dear Babies Elizabeth, Kaleb, and Lilia, You are the cutest babies ever. I love when I get to take care of you. Tell you're parents you want me to babysit you and I'll bring you chocolate and we can watch Dora the Explorer, Baby Einstein, and play with balls and lots of other fun baby things! I love you Babies!
Me and about a million other girls LOVE this song, for obvious reasons. My mom taught me that my choice in marriage will have a greater impact on my life than any other choice I make. It has to be to the right person, in the right place, and at the right time. Daren Cullimore, Los Angeles Temple, April 9th, 2011 I promise you Mom, it's right.
