In a heartthrob, I went from single diva to Mrs. Doolittle

By Angel Larsen

November 30, 2005 | I have become Mrs. Doolittle. I last remember enjoying strolls through the mall and wasting hours reading a novel. My once stylish world was overturned on a rainy night -- of March 2004. Sitting and chatting with my friends I notice this tall, thin guy score a basket. Who is that? How come I don't know him yet?

"Kendra! Kendra!" I tap her arm.

"What -- Angel quit hitting me."

"Kendra, tell me who that guy is," I ask as I look at her.

"What guy?" She looks over her shoulder.

"The tall one -- who just scored."

"Oh -- that's Travis Larsen. I already told you about him." She shrugs and turns to talk to everyone again.

I watch the rest of the game, or, more correctly, Travis. After the game I look for him but he is gone. Where did he go? I leave without even meeting him.

A few weeks later Kendra convinces me to go to Taco Time because she promises Travis will be there. Walking into the restaurant I look down and shrug. I look terrible with sweat pants and a bandana on but it is too late to leave. I sit down across from Kendra, who has her boyfriend on one side and Travis on the other. I talk to her about her cosmetology classes while eyeing Travis. He is just sitting and eating. When we meet eyes he looks away. I try to capture his eye but again he looks away.

After an hour of not talking to Travis or even getting him to look at me I give up. He only talks to Kendra and annoys her boyfriend. I am so upset I call in reinforcements -- Lucy Cutler. She shows up and soon everyone clears out. I vow that I don't like Travis and want nothing to do with him.

As soon as I want nothing to do with him, he appears everywhere. My best friend Lucy even wants to date him. She makes me the middle woman to help her find out if Travis likes her. I have to call him and invite him to do things with the group or just her and me. Deep down I really like this guy but I don't want to admit it to anyone.

Just when I think I am over him -- "Angel, come with me on Tuesday to Layton."

"I can't, Travis. I have rugby practice and get home late from Logan."

"I'm not leaving until 6:30. When do you get home?"

"Well -- that will work. Why are you going to Layton?"

"I have a tuxedo fitting -- for a wedding."

"OK, pick me up on your way." YES! He likes me. I spend the next two days picking out the best outfit. I decide on my green, blue and white capris with a green shirt and a denim jacket. I am so excited that skip rugby practice to get ready. At 6:30, I watch as he pulls into the driveway and gets out of his truck. I run to hide in my room so that my grandpa has to answer the door. He and Travis talk for a minute before I come up. We immediately leave before Travis gets the grill down.

When we get to Layton we meet J.D., the guy getting married and Travis's friend, and J.D.'s mom and brothers. I talk to them while Travis tries on his tuxedo. While we are talking I hear, "Angel -- Angel -- " I turn around to see Travis in his tux. Wow! He looks amazing. He is so cute and tall. Trying to hide my affection I just politely smile and continue talking with J.D.'s mom. Travis changes and we all go to IHOP for dinner. Travis pays even though it wasn't technically a date.

On the ride home I answer a phone call from Lucy. She yells at me for not being a true friend and for stealing Travis from her. Tears roll down my cheeks as Travis keeps driving. Hanging up the phone I apologize for crying. Before I know it I am telling him everything and he is quietly nodding. Soon we are laughing and talking about other things and Lucy is forgotten. But before he drops me off at home he asks me to accompany him on Thursday to J.D.'s wedding reception. I happily agree and begin my countdown to seeing him again.

At the reception I sit there for two hours while Travis has to be in pictures and stand in the line. Not until his parents, older brother and wife, and little sister and husband arrive at the reception do I have someone to talk to. After the reception, he takes me to dinner at A&W. We later go to his little sister's house and watch Lion King 1 1/2. The next night we are talking and decide after a week of unofficial dates that we both like being together and officially date.

Before I know it, seven months later I have gone from Angel Harvey, shopping diva and single, to Angel Larsen, dairy farmer's wife and therefore, Mrs. Doolittle. I am now mother to about 45 cows and calves, 12 cats and kittens, two horses and one dog. The transformation has become even scarier because I want another dog, five goats, two rabbits, a couple of pigs and fish.

If I can transform from weekly shopping trips to milking cows then anything is possible.

NW
MS