Preparing, Planning, and Looking Back

     Dale says the rest of our history is to be written by me with him reading to approve, disapprove, or make corrections. I feel lucky to have had him be patient with this necessary project this far.  I hope to get much input from him even yet.
    At the close of 1963 (New Year's Eve) and the dawning of 1964 (the New Year), Dale and I were engaged to be married in the Salt Lake City Temple the 10th of July, 1964. I became focused on planning our wedding reception. Dale became focused more on a career and a place to live. He decided to return to the University of Utah so he transferred to a Standard Station near the University. I had another three years I needed to teach school to fulfill the contract with my student loan. I had a car payment, government school loan payment, and he had a car payment. We began to look at our assets and plan, ponder and prepare. He was not totally at peace with the University, but what else was there? We were both country at heart, of which had great weight in our planning.
     1963 and 1964 the dynamics of our families were changing. Dale's 

Kent

brother Kent J. Van Leuven graduated from Uintah High School likely in 1963. He was looking toward a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but he was first nabbed by the United States to serve in the Army. He spent a year in Vietnam in 1967-68, we do know that from two different Vernal Express paper clippings that we have kept. One clipping tells of him attending a LDS Conference in Chu Lai on December 29, 1967. Another clipping is dated April 25, 1968, also saying he is in Chu Lai, Vietnam. He was in the the service two years. His mission was accomplished from November 15, 1969 to November 21, 1971 in Portland Oregon. First place of assignment for his mission was Coos Bay, Oregon. 
     I (Shirleen) rode with him to Whiterocks, Utah to attend a meeting (social activity), as he was serving as a Stake Missionary on the Ute Indian Reservation (likely 1965). I remember he picked me up at my parents' home where I was living. He was driving his mother's car. I don't know why I remember that, but I do. I was teaching school and Dale was then attending college. Also during these years Kent attended school at Salt Lake Community College. Along with an interest in art, he kept himself busy during his years of preparing to step into a marriage and family.

     My family was and had gone through change. Our births were close so our departure into the world was just as close. Jeanne married Allen Reynolds Merkley, 18 April, 1964. Vonae married Albert Alma Young, 1 May, 1964, Raymond Leland Perry, had just left for Fort Gordan Georgia (Army Base) about the same time, and Lanette married Nels Earl Carlson, 2 November 1965. My parents' budget was meager anyway, and it had taken a major hit. Mother had a major melt down after we were all gone, and spent several days in bed quite physically and emotionally spent.

Vonae
Bridesmaid
Coral dress with coral
satin heels.

She had helped us make quilts, make bridesmaid dresses, covers for tabletops, and aprons for the servers and much more. Each one of us had chosen different colors, so of course, we didn't share a lot except for the wedding veil. More than one of us shared the same veil.  I had run out of money so I was willing to share. Oh well, I needed "something new, something used, and something blue". The serving dishes worked fine for all of us. We were all busy for many weeks.

Lanette

     Light peach, tan and white was the color I had chosen. I asked my sisters, Vonae and Lanette, to be my bridesmaids. Jeanne was my maid of honor. Dale asked his brother Ray to be his best man and Kent as an usher.
     It was clear that Dale and I would be on our own. We handled the expenses quite well except for pictures. I always wished we could have afforded a professional photographer. 
     I went to Aurbacks in Salt Lake to purchase my wedding dress. Along with the purchase of the dress, they took pictures of me in my dress, and then delivered the dress to the Salt Lake Temple the day of our wedding. Thanks to Aurbacks I do have some nice pictures of my wedding dress.

Shirleen    

     At quieter and less active moments, I could not help but ponder and be grateful for the spiritual journey I had experienced in bringing me to this time of my life. Today, I don't believe the journey was by accident. I believe the Holy Ghost was bringing seemingly small events to my remembrance. I should have forgotten them but, I hadn't. He brings things to our remembrance, ever so insignificant they might be, which is one of the many ways He communicates with us. My testimony of a higher power was growing the more I pondered and recognized that His hand had been guiding me in every step. I love these quotes by unknown authors. "His love reaches beyond our power and comprehension." "If you take one step, God will take two." He had certainly done just that for Dale and I.