Big Breaking News!

See that girl?  That's Erica Nalder.

See that ring?  I put it on her finger yesterday.

See the smiles on our faces?  That's because we're going to spend eternity forever.

Want to know how it all went down and when we're getting married?  Watch:

Pray For Him

Today I wake up to the sound of rain.  I shower, dress, eat breakfast, and walk outside to a downpour.


I'm drenched by the time I get to my car and say to myself, "Today's gonna be a bad day."


9.51 am.  My mom calls.  7.51 am Utah time.  I'm sitting at my desk at work.


"Nate, we're at the emergency room.  Dad's in surgery.  He was having chest pains.  I don't know how bad it is.  Pray for him."


I do.


12.00 Noon.  I go to lunch with three Mormon missionaries.  I don't mention a word to them about my father...but they feel impressed to talk about families with me.  They ask about my parents.  They ask what type of father I want to be.  I simply say, "Like my dad."


2.22 pm.  My mom calls.


"Nate, Dad had a massive heart attack.  He's in extremely critical condition in the ICU.  The doctors say he has a 50 percent chance of surviving.  His heart has extensive damage.  Pray for him."


I am.


7 am tomorrow.  I fly home to see my father.  My mentor.  My example.  My Santa Claus.  My car repair question answerer.  My friend.  Hooked up to dozens of tubes.  Fighting for his life.


1.20 am.  Right now.  I walk outside.  The rain has finally stopped.  The sky is clear except for an exquisitely bright moon and one single shiny star.

The storm has passed.  All is calm.  Peace is restored.


A still, small voice comes to my mind as I stare into the heavens.


"All will be well.  Pray for him."


I will.


Not only that, but a friend told me 50 percent odds get much better when a lot of people pray.


So I ask a small favor of you.


Pray for him.

My mom and dad holding their newest grandchild in April.

The Rap of Love...

I'm dating this breathtakingly stunning girl named Erica.  We met four years ago at BYU-Idaho but were never anything more than friends.  


Erica is from Richmond and when I was offered a job here, she hooked me up with roommates and helped prepare me for Virginia.


Nine months after I moved here, my amazing girlfriend finished school and moved back home...but she needed an internship to graduate.  My station was looking for interns.  She applied and got the position.

For twelve weeks she worked with me almost every day.  We covered the state fair together...and even dressed the part!


She started to have a crush on me.  I wasn't sure if I was interested.  After going back-and-forth, I made the dumbest decision of my life and chose not to pursue this beautiful girl.


Fast forward four months.  I was jolted awake and professed my undying love for Erica.  Knowing my track record, she was very cautious and said I needed to prove myself.

So I wrote a rap.

About her.  

The most incredible creature on planet Earth.

I did this with the help of my good friend Matt. 

He's a musical genius.  A few years ago he and Will wrote a rap about me as a Christmas present.


With his talent and my words, we came up with this catchy tune in a matter of hours.


Oh, before you listen, here's one thing you should know: O-M-B stands for "Old Man Bladder."  Erica calls me this as I have to use the bathroom every 2.5 minutes.

Hail to the Chief

Today I met the President of the United States of America.

President Barack Obama visited Richmond as part of the "community rally" meetings he's holding across the country.  

Whether you like or dislike, agree or disagree, love or hate the President, he's still the most powerful man in the world and I was honored to cover his visit.

We arrived around 11am.  The President was speaking at a community center and the first thing I noticed was a row of busses surrounding the center.

Obviously security was extremely tight.  Snipers stood on top of busses and massive armored vehicles were parked - the likes of which I've never seen in my life.


At 11.30am, we had to leave our cars, cameras, notebooks, and everything else on the premises and leave the secure zone for two hours.


During this time, secret service went through EVERYTHING - the hoods and trunks of every car, the pockets of every camera bag, EVERYTHING.

We were allowed back in at 1.30pm and waited in a skating rink...now converted in the national media room.  Here CNN, FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, ABC, the NY Times, etc. compiled their reports.


At 2.30pm, we were shuttled into a hot cramped room where we awaited the President.  One family was chosen to meet with Mr. Obama for a few minutes...and they were instructed to invite 30 friends to attend the discussion.


Finally, after waiting in the stifling heat for two hours (windows and doors had to remained shut and covered), Mr. Obama walked in.

The first person he greeted was this 105-year-old woman.  He bent down, gave her a hug, and she said to the crowd of media, "Take a picture!  Somebody take a picture!"

The President proceeded to shake hands and greet every person in the room.

Mr. Obama then spoke for about 20 minutes and took 5-6 questions from the citizens ranging on everything from the economy to the environment.  

He did not talk to the media.


After an hour, he said goodbye and was off to the airport...where he boarded Air Force One and flew home to Washington, DC.


It was a very eventful day and one that I will never forget.  I still can't believe I stood eight feet away from the Commander in Chief for an hour.

I worked with two great photographers, an excellent field producer, and we were able to get some good stuff on the air.


Check out one of my live shots and let me know what you think: