Back in the year 2002 a few days after our first anniversary we were on vacation in So. Cal, we were settling down in our hotel room for the evening and watching the news about a 14 year old girl that had been abducted from her home not very far from our home in SLC. I distinctly remember saying out loud to Chris as we watched the coverage, "This is terrible, I wish there was something we could do to help them." I think we talked a little more about it, maybe Chris even told me there was a connection to the family in some way. But, I had no idea how this young women would dramatically impact our life. Chris left to fly back the next day while I continued my trip, when I came back Chris was already heavily involved in handling the media for the family.
Over the next nine months I saw my husband perform incredible feats to help the Smart family. I can honestly say I've never seen anyone work as hard as I saw Chris work. He was sleep deprived, emotionally drained, but completely loyal to the Smart family through it all. It was humbling to watch. For my part in it, I can honestly say I grew up during that time. I missed my husband terribly, but was also fiercely loyal about my husband's support of the family and the family in general. And now eight years later as I watched Elizabeth making her statement to the media after a guilty verdict was announced with Chris nearby in the background, I was so proud. I was proud of her and yes, also a little proud my dear husband.
