Cassie and Timothy are Tying the knot!

As Cassie and Tim spread the news of their engagement, they heard the collective sigh of everyone they knew "It's about time!" But how did it all begin?

Cassie and Tim were an unlikely pair, shy Cassie, and Outgoing Tim; both attending different high schools. Both had a love for volunteering, helping their peers, and justice. So in 2008 they both volunteered with Salt Lake City Peer Court. Neither Cassie or Tim knew who the other was. They had both been attending the training for Peer Court, always missing meeting each other, until one day as they left a training.

I was leaving Peer Court Training, we had our training at the SLC Law and Justice Center. Everyone was waiting at the back steps for their parents to pick them up (oh did I mention we were 16)! As I waited for my Dad, I maneuvered around groups of people, being my ever diligent shy self. I overheard someone saying they were giving hugs, and watched as the peers I'd come to know were giving this tall, dark, handsome stranger hugs. Something in me was instantly drawn to him, in an uncharacteristic move (surprising even myself)! I heard myself saying "I want a hug too"! I closed the gap, and was enveloped in a hug that felt like home. As we broke apart, my Dad had shown up to get me, We exchanged formal greetings, and numbers; I hopped in my Dad's car and drove off into the evening, excited to know more about this wonderful boy I had just met named Timothy.

I had just walked out of the Law & Justice Center after hours of Peer Court training. Surrounded by a group of enthusiastic friends and excited to help our community I was laughing and telling stories with everyone. Randomly one of my friends broke into the conversation to say, “Tim I bet you give the best hugs!” I really had no idea what to do so I smiled and threw open my arms to give my friend a hug. The next thing I know, all my friends were clamoring for a hug. Believe it or not I am a pretty shy person, so this was new for me. Being accepted by your peers is a great feeling. Among the giggling and boisterous talking of my friends I heard a voice over the rest, “I want one too!” I looked up to see the lovely gold within blued eyes girl that I had been sneaking, probably painfully indiscrete, looks at all day. We have all been sixteen, it is not a time of subtlety and tack. Mostly it’s trying to not fall over your now-too-large-body, that you haven’t figured out how to move properly. I just smiled at her and said, “sure.” She felt like a warm summer breeze flowing though the leaves of a young oak tree. She was sweet glacial water washing over a smooth river stone. She just felt right in my arms like no one ever had. After she let go and we realized her dad had pulled up and was watching us. It’s a unique feeling to go from full-blushed to ghost-white in a few heart beats. We quickly exchanged numbers and she jumped into her dad’s car. As she drove off, I could still smell the soft perfume she favors lingering in the air she had been in only moments ago. Smiling I turned back to my friends knowing I would never be able to get that brave and bold young woman out of my head for as long as I lived.