Even though they were such good friends at the point they started dating, Martha and Trevor wanted to take things slowly. They wanted to let their relationship develop from friendship to dating. Marriage became a taboo subject. It remained so until one day in December when meeting with their bishop.

Martha had gone in to talk with their bishop to ask for guidance to avoid trouble since both she and Trevor were dedicated to a temple marriage. It is important to retain in memory that to this point neither of them had even so much as whispered the possibility of them getting married.

Martha told her bishop that they wanted to take things slowly. Now, Bishop Gould never was the type to mince words. He believed in being forthright and cutting through the muck. Bishop Gould insisted upon meeting with Trevor and Martha immediately.

Martha left the bishop’s office in search of Trevor, who was always running around after church taking care of membership issues and records. It just so happened that on this particular Sunday afternoon, he was in the bishop’s office talking with friends.

Martha came to Trevor’s side, not saying anything but hello. The two stood side-by-side, embracing each other as they often do. Trevor said that he was almost done for the day so they could leave soon, having only one last task to complete. As this task required he return to the clerk’s office, Martha said she would walk with him.

During this walk, Martha told Trevor of her conversation with the bishop. She told him that the Bishop wanted to meet with both of them immediately.

Upon their return from Trevor’s errand, Bishop Gould welcomed both Martha and Trevor into his office. They all sat. As should be expected, Trevor and Martha were nervous. What was to follow, however, would leave them in total shock for days. It often is like that when God reveals a truth that was not anticipated nor even imagined.

True to style, Bishop Gould was very upfront with Trevor and Martha. He told them that it was stupid that they should impose their own timelines upon their relationship. They had known each other very well for years. They were both mature individuals. They had both served missions. They understood very well the covenants lying ahead of them in marriage. They understood what marriage was and understood that marriage was work. Although he did not tell them they had to marry immediately or even get engaged, Bishop Gould told them that they needed to be open to the guidance of the Spirit.

Martha and Trevor left Bishop Gould’s office that day in complete disbelief. Nothing could have prepared them for that conversation. They both knew what God was trying to tell them. This scared them. They were comfortable with their relationship, but as is often true, this life is not about comfort.

God was trying to tell them that they were right for each other and that it was time to plan for their marriage. They talked over the next two days. Still, the shock remained. There was no assuaging it. They decided they each needed to go to the Temple to pray over the matter but that they should go independently and not tell the other the response received until both had gone to the Temple.

Thus began their quest for clarity and answers. Trevor went to the Mt Timpanogos Temple on Tuesday. Martha went to the Draper Temple on Wednesday. Not a word was uttered about their experiences until they could talk face-to-face without interruption.

Even though they both felt right about their relationship, fear still crept into their minds. What if this was all wrong? What if they were to part ways?

Wednesday night, Trevor and Martha decided they would spend the evening together and wander around the mall. As they were driving, Trevor asked Martha if she had received the same answer he had received in the Temple. Playing coy, Martha asked what answer was that.

“Yes,” said Trevor. They squeezed hands, knowing that God had led them to this point in their life. The answer they both received was yes.

In secret, Trevor had been researching diamonds and engagement rings online at night. This helped to make their ring shopping very simple and quick. That was in fact the reason they both wanted to go to the mall. Even without exchanging a word, they already knew the answer the other had received.

The following day was Christmas Eve. Trevor and Martha prepared loaves of pumpkin bread with chocolate chips to give as presents to her family. This provided the perfect opportunity for Trevor to ask her parents for permission to marry Martha.

First they went to Martha’s mom’s house. Barbara was home. Martha and Trevor passed probably an hour with her. Since two of Martha’s siblings were there as well, Trevor had to wait until he could be alone with Martha’s mom.

As their visit drew to a close, Martha asked her brother and sister for help carrying things to her car. This was it. This was Trevor’s chance to ask Martha’s mom for her permission.

He waited a few seconds for the door to close. Then he told Martha’s mom he needed to ask her something.

“I would like to ask for your permission to marry Martha.” Martha’s mom embraced Trevor and said of course he had her permission.

Next, Trevor and Martha drove to her dad’s and step-mom’s (Randy and Nyla) house. Again, some of Martha’s siblings were visiting. Martha and Trevor visited with her family and waited for an opportunity to be alone. Eventually her brother Jared and his kids went home, leaving only her other brother Adam there.

Running short on time, Trevor asked Martha’s dad how the crib he and Adam were building was coming along. Her dad asked if Trevor wanted to see it. Trevor said yes, he did want to see it. This meant that Martha’s dad and Trevor could be alone in the garage, free to talk. Martha’s dad showed Trevor all of the pieces and explained how it would all fit together.

On their way back into the house, Trevor said that he needed to talk to Martha’s dad before they re-entered the house. Her dad stopped and turned to face Trevor. Trevor asked for permission to marry Martha.

Martha’s dad took a deep breath and then said they needed to talk. He led Trevor back into the house, past the living room where Martha and her step-mom sat talking, and led him into the office. He shut the door behind the two of them and invited Trevor to have a seat.

Martha’s dad looked steadily at the floor. Trevor looked to him, trying to perceive some indication of his thoughts or what he might say.

Finally, Martha’s dad spoke. He gave Trevor his permission. Just for fun, though, he suggested they should sit in his office longer just to make Martha worry.

Now that Trevor had permission from Martha’s parents to marry her and soon would have the ring, he just needed to wait until the perfect moment to propose: New Year’s Eve.

That evening, before their New Year’s Eve party, Martha and Trevor slipped away and went up to the Provo Temple. It was one of the few places that still had its fountain turned on.

The night was dark and peaceful. The stars sparkled. The air was chilled. The ground was covered in a blanket of freshly fallen snow. From the Temple grounds, they could look out and see the twinkling city lights.

Martha and Trevor walked from the car to the lighted fountain. Trevor swept with his hands the stones surrounding the fountain, removing the snow and providing a place for them to sit. He pulled out two jars of pennies. Finally, Martha would get to have the date she had wanted for years.

They made wishes. Some were serious, others were more playful. They made wishes for themselves and for family. Penny-by-penny they wished for their future.

Only two pennies remained—both were Trevor’s pennies. He paused for a moment or two and then tossed both pennies into the fountain, saying this wish deserved both pennies.

“I wish that we can always be together, that we can grow old together. I wish that we never have to part again. I wish that we could have our fairytale begin.” With that Trevor got down on his knee and pulled from his pocket a small polished wooden box. He opened it. Inside was the diamond engagement ring. “Martha, will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she screamed.

Trevor stood and with quivering hands slipped the ring on Martha’s finger. With a warm embrace and a kiss, the two began their fairytale, a fairytale that would unfold throughout their entire life.