The Perfect Match

A Congratulations is in order. 

Justin was recently accepted to the General Practice Residency program at the University of Utah. 

After Graduation in May we will be moving to Utah for one year. We are thrilled to be accepted to this program, and I am extremely proud of Justin for his hard work to get us there. I'm excited for Justin to be apart of this GPR. The program actually sounds like a lot of fun! There are too many reasons to list of why we are excited and happy to be heading back to Utah. It's kind of unreal. I'm not sure if this news has really set in for both Justin and I, but there is an overwhelming sense of relief and peace. We are grateful to be able to know where we are going to be for the next year, and super excited to let this new journey begin! 

Shortly after we returned home from Utah last summer, the kids and I picked Justin up from school and were driving home from downtown. Justin had the look in his eye, so I asked him what was up... He asked me what I would think of him applying to the GPR program at the U? Immediately I supported him, but was only curious of what he was feeling about this new direction. We talked it over in great detail. We felt like this option would become a good stepping stone from school into the professional world of dentistry, and also give us an open door into the western states which is where we would like to be and start looking for a job. Once we decided that this was the direction we were going to take, the application process began right away. Justin applied by mid October, and was invited for an interview by the first week of November. It worked out for him to also interview at the University of Las Vegas as well while he was in Utah. After his interviews we knew all we could do now was wait for Match Day at the end of January. It's is an exciting time. As Match Day drew closer our anticipation became stronger. Soon anticipation turned to anxiety to the point we were so excited we could explode! Justin felt positive about his interviews in Utah and Nevada. Utah was his first choice by far. When he was there he could picture himself as part of the program, and picture our family back home in Utah. Even though we had a good feeling about our chances of getting accepted, it was a helpless feeling as well. The decision was completely out of our hands. It has been a long time since our lives hinged on one single day, and one single decision.  All we could do was wait, and it was all that was on our minds. 

When Match Day finally came we decided we wanted to open the results as a family. I loaded up the kids, we picked up some lunch, and headed down to the school. I don't know why I thought we could eat lunch anyway... our stomachs were churning with anticipation. We thought the results wouldn't come in until 1 o'clock, but by the time we arrived at noon Justin said there was an e-mail there already waiting to be read. 

Together we opened the results and Justin read out loud:

Congratulations! You have been matched to the University of Utah School of Medicine!

What an amazing feeling! We hugged one another immediately and both had tears in our eyes. It was one of those moments when you throw your head back in gratitude and your heart bursts with prayers of thanks. We were relieved to have good news, and so grateful to be celebrating this moment together.

Justin had patients that afternoon, so I was the lucky one who got to return home and make happy phone calls to our families back home. I spoke with my in-laws first. Their reaction was sweet and priceless, and with my excitement being through the roof, I couldn't help but cry as I shared the news with them. Thankfully they know I am nothing but a big bawl baby. :)  

It was very fun to share our news with our friends and family that day and have each of them join in our excitement. 

I planned a night out for Justin (Loren) and I. We went out to celebrate, and to have a chance to talk about our future plans. 

We are excited to be heading back to Utah even if only for one year. We consider this GPR year a little cushion ~ giving us the chance to get our feet underneath us after the intensity of dental school. We also consider this GPR year a gift ~ to be close to our families, and letting our kids make memories with grandparents and cousins. 

I'm so proud of Justin. I've had a front row seat to his hard work, and know just how much an accomplishment like this takes. I'm grateful to be the one following his leadership, for I know he leads us with complete wisdom and righteousness. I feel extremely blessed and grateful to be the one by his side, and I am grateful for the opportunities he is providing for our family. 

Utah, here we come!