From the October 1974 issue of Spotlight magazine

I'll never forget the first time I saw Suzanne! I'd gone to Brigham Young University to watch a basketball match. I was up on the bleachers when suddenly I noticed her! She was at the edge of the floor, acting as cheerleader. Head cheerleader, in fact. Instead of concentrating on the game, I watched her as well! I liked the way she moved -- there was something that held me spellbound and knew I wanted to go and talk to her!

When the match finished -- I couldn't tell you the score! I walked down to where she was. I felt a bit nervous -- the meeting was so important to me! I've dated lots of girls, but I wanted my first meeting with this "mystery" girl to be --well, you know, special. So I said "Hi" and discovered that her name was Suzanne. Her mother, Mrs. Pinegar, was with her, having come along to watch the match.

Suzanne and I had a good talk -- but at the same time I did feel that she was being just the tiniest bit "cool." Oh, not too much -- and I later found out the reason, as you will see. I also found out that she was attending the university and studying child development so she could become a teacher. I didn't ask her out on that occasion -- I'm not sure why because felt I wanted to see her again. But then I got very busy with work and didn't have the time to go out at all for a month or so. That first meeting was a little before last Christmas.

So it was January before I got round to calling her to ask her for a date -- and would you know what happened? She turned me down! She said she couldn't come because she already had an engagement. I was disappointed -- but didn't let it put me off. I called a couple or more times, but she was always busy.

I asked Merrill's wife, Mary, if she knew Suzanne -- and she did vaguely know her from her own days at Brigham Young, as she used to be a cheerleader too. In the end, it was Mary who brought us together. Towards the end of January, I was busy recording in our studio at home in Provo, and had had a really busy day. I felt like going out in the evening for a relaxing time -- so I asked Mary if she'd mind calling Suzanne up for me while was still working, and ask her if she could make it that evening for dinner.

At last Suzanne said yes! I was thrilled to be taking her out, as I'd wanted to do right from our first meeting. I called round for her about seven o'clock and we went for dinner at the Sundance Restaurant up at Robert Redford's ski center.

Again that evening I detected a slight note of coolness in her attitude. She was really nice and friendly, but she wasn't super-nice in a romantic way, if you know what I mean. Anyhow, by the end of our first date I still found her very attractive. I could see something in her I really liked and, although wasn't completely sure what it was, I certainly knew I wanted to see her again!

We dated several times in the next few weeks. I find it hard to explain exactly when or how it happened, but over the course of those dates something wonderful occurred between us. I got to realize that she liked me a little bit -- and soon she told me why she had been a little cool towards me. She said that she had known I was an Osmond before I talked to her that very first time at the basketball game. She said that she thought I would be stuck- up because of our success, and she said she had heard that I dated quite a bit. She didn't want to be just one of those girls. She wanted to be sure in her own mind that she didn't date me or treat me nice because I was an Osmond. That's why she had been cool! "But now," said Suzanne, "I realize you aren't stuck-up -- and I know you are a sincere person who wants to date me because I am me, and not just as another date to chalk up!" After we had this talk our feelings grew and grew. Soon I realized that I loved her, and I had reason to hope that she felt the same way about me. About the end of May we went to Sundance for dinner again. That evening was the most beautiful I have ever spent. I can't describe exactly what happened -- I'm sure you'll understand when I say that we want to keep that evening as our special, private memory -- but it certainly was wonderful.

As I sat there looking out over beautiful mountains, talking to this lovely girl, realized that she was what I had been looking for all my life. I realized that the things she stands for represent everything I want. Everyone has different needs and desires so how can I tell you exactly what mine are? All I can say is that I just knew Suzanne has what I need -- so ours was a love that just happened. There was such a closeness between us that evening that it didn't really matter who said it first. But as it was, Suzanne told me how much she loved me. I told her that I felt exactly the same towards her, and that I didn't ever want to lose her. I told her that she fit in with my eternal plans and goals, and that I loved her for that too.

I had to find out for sure if I was doing the right thing. After that evening I prayed to God to show me the right way, and did a lot of soul-searching. I told Mother and Father how I felt -- and Mother told me that she knew before me that I'd want to marry Suzanne. It confirmed what I knew deep in myself.

Eventually, I was certain I was right. At the end of June I went to Suzanne and told her I wanted to marry her. I asked her to think it over for two days before answering -- I wanted her to go away and pray for guidance as I had. Two days later, she came back and said the words that made me the happiest man alive! Next day we went to Los Angeles and picked a diamond ring and announced the engagement. The rest you know. Our families were thrilled and we married two weeks later at The Temple in Provo. It was a private affair, though I let it be known that fans would be welcome. We were married by Paul Dunn, a high authority in our Church and a good friend.

I love Suzanne in every way -- to me she is truly beautiful, and I'm proud of her. The family loves her too and she has fit into family life well. I hope you can all feel the same way.