We're Married!

We did it! We were married on June 14, 2023 in a small, private ceremony in Kirbyville, MO. We are both fortunate to have very large extended families and friends across the country, and we wish we could have afforded to invite everyone to be with us on that day. It was difficult to not have you all physically with us, but you were definitely with us in thought. We love you all and can't wait to celebrate with you next time we see you.

We went to Mexico with several other couples. One of them, Emily and Alisha, asked me to take their photo on this bench on the ocean. After I was done photographing them, Emily asked if I wanted any photos of Robbie and I. Not thinking anything of it, I said "Sure." There was all this seaweed floating at our feet, to which Robbie said, "Until I can get you a real ring one day, can I tie a piece of seaweed on your finger?" After he tied it on, I started laughing and showed it off to the camera. While I was looking away, he reached into his pocket and said, "On second thought - why don't you wear this one instead." He then told me how much he loved me and asked me to marry him. After that, a lot of ugly crying ensued. I never saw it coming. Not only did Robbie give me the most beautiful modern ring I could have asked for, he gave me his grandmother's ring, too - a wonderful woman I never had the chance to meet, but I've always felt connected to because we share a birthday. It made me cry even harder to know his mother gave it to him after we had only been dating for six months.