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Jay was working as an Admissions
Counselor at BYU while I was going to school there. One day, my
mother called
from California to ask me to pick up a BYU application for my
brother who wanted to attend school there the next year. I thought it was
strange that the application I had already sent had been lost in the mail.
She insisted that I go in that day and pick up another one. When I got to
the admissions window, I ended up standing there for quite awhile.
Everyone working there was either on the phone or busy with something
else. Finally, this guy dressed in a suit and tie (who obviously didn't
work at the window), saw me standing there and came over to ask if I
needed help. It was Jay...and that was how we met.
Were you very familiar with
the Osmonds?
Other than watching "The Donny and
Marie Show" as a little girl, I didn't know anything about the Osmonds
other than that they were members of the same church as me. I didn't
realize that there were nine children in the family, and I had no idea
that the entire family was so talented!
What was your first
impression of Jay?
My first impression of Jay is one
that we laugh about now. When I first met him, I thought he was kind of
"pushy" because he was so outgoing and confident. I have always been a bit
shy by nature, so he just kind of "rubbed me the wrong way" at first. Isn't
it funny how opposites attract!
What did you do on your
first date?
We went to a Mexican
restaurant
called Chi-Chi's in Provo, UT.
How long did you date before
you were married?
We met in November of 1986, but
didn't start dating until February of 1987. He proposed in June and we
were married in August.
What are some special
memories you have of your courtship?
Jay and I spent half of our courtship dating long
distance. We dated for two months in Utah and then I went home to
California to my summer job working as a secretary for a
school district. During that time, we flew back and forth from California
and Utah between our jobs to see each other.
How did Jay propose to
you?
I was in California and he was in
Utah. He called me on the phone the night of June 22, 1987 and asked me to
marry him.
What was your wedding day
like?
It
was wonderful! Everything was beautiful! We were married at 4 PM, Tuesday, August 25, 1987, in the
Salt Lake Temple. It was the same place that each of our parents were
married, which made it extra special. Our marriage was performed by Elder
Paul H. Dunn, who was a good friend of the Osmond family. It was a wonderful
ceremony attended by both of our families and our closest friends.
Afterward, we took photographs outside the temple. Then two horse-drawn
carriages escorted both sets of parents, my grandmothers, and Jay and I
from Temple Square to the Marriott Hotel where we had a beautiful wedding
reception. It was attended by about 3,000 people. It was wonderful to get
to see so many of my friends and relatives, and to meet so many of Jay's
family and friends. Our
only regret was that there wasn't much time for Jay and I to visit with
anyone for very long. We spent the entire evening in a reception line
greeting our guests.
What is it like to become a
member of the Osmond family?
I found the Osmond family to be a
very easy family to marry into. Everyone has been very kind to me. The
Osmonds are genuinely nice people, so it is a pleasure to be around
them.
How do you keep your
marriage happy?
Jay and I feel that the key to a
happy marriage is to always remember to put the other person first. We
also try to make it a point to go out together once a week, just the two
of us. Spending time together is very important.
How is Jay as a
husband?
Jay is a very kind and considerate
husband. He cares a great deal about how I feel. He always wants me to be
happy. I appreciate that. He also has become great at helping out around
the house with the kids and the housework. I appreciate that,
too!
What kind of father is Jay?
You'll never meet a man on this
earth who cares more about being a great dad than Jay does! He is very
devoted to our boys and spends a great deal of time with them. They
absolutely adore him! When he comes in the door everyone yells, "Dad!" and
runs to him. He loves it. More importantly, he spends time talking,
teaching, and disciplining them. I think boys really need a positive example
in their father, and I'm very grateful that Jay is that for our
sons.
What is your biggest pet
peeve about Jay?
My biggest pet peeve about Jay is
that he worries too much about everybody. I'd like to see him relax more
and take better care of himself.
What do you believe makes a
marriage successful?
I'm no expert, but I do believe
that a marriage is successful when each person thinks about the other
person before they think about themselves. That's hard to do, but I really
do believe it's the key to success. It's also very important to include
the Lord in a marriage. When Jay and I pray together each night and ask
for the Lord's spirit to be with us, it makes everything go smoother. It's
pretty hard to have negative feelings toward your spouse when you kneel
down to pray with them at the end of the day.
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Tidbits...
Jay and
Kandilyn have an ongoing tournament of the game "Rummikub."
It's a game
they both love and play equally well.
They usually run neck in neck, but
more often, he wins!
Kandilyn loves the Star Wars
movies and was a real buff as a teenager.
Kandilyn went by the nickname of
"Kandi" until she turned 25,
then decided it was time to start using
her given name--Kandilyn.
As a young child, she was afraid
of balloons.
It frightened her to see them being blown
up.
Jay and Kandilyn are 11 years and
8 months apart in age.
Kandilyn's favorite color is navy
blue.
Kandilyn sends birthday cards to
everyone on both Jay's and her side of the family.
That's a lot of cards,
but she thinks it's important to recognize birthdays.
Jay and Kandilyn
refer to the their children as their JEMs.
Kandilyn's nickname for Jay is
"Honey Bear."
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