Oops, we got married...time for reception 2.0!

Due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, we opted to move forward with a smaller wedding ceremony, which took place on 11.21.20. It was a magical day in spite of being unable to celebrate with so many friends and family. We couldn't imagine not celebrating this huge moment with those we love, so we opted to postpone our reception until 10.16.21. This website will now be devoted to details surrounding the 10.16.21 event. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat, and all COVID-19 health/safety protocols for this event will be posted and updated via our FAQ page.

Cody was actually the friend of an ex-boyfriend, though we never met until that relationship ended. Even though he didn’t know me, when the ex moved away, Cody began inviting me to all the summer fun that crew was still getting into to make sure I didn’t lose touch with that group. I was always too busy being a stressed grad student, but when I got the invite to float the river, I decided to accept. A mutual friend picked me up and we drove to Cody’s place, unbeknownst to him. We walked straight in, and there he was, backwards cap on, no shirt, covered in sweat (clearly in the middle of a workout), Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me” blaring in the background, looking completely struck by my beauty (or more likely by an unexpected stranger in his home). We picked up more people on the way to San Marcos, and I remember being very quiet, still not 100% comfortable with this crew that wasn’t mine. We arrived at the river, and after cracking open a beer and the boozy watermelon Cody had floated for the occasion, I started to loosen up. And then we hit the water slide, which anyone who’s floated the San Marcos River is quite fond of. I love to imagine myself looking incredibly graceful as the fast moving water and twists of the slide caused my tube to flip, tumping me into the rushing water. As the current pushed and pulled me, my hands reached up clawing for the surface. As I finally broke the surface, gasping for air, it became clear I had come up under someone else’s tube, my face all up in their business. I’ll give you one guess at who’s business I was all up in. I talked with Cody the rest of the float, and I remember knowing he was important. I didn’t know how exactly at the time, but I knew he would continue to be in my life. We went to a friend’s that night and that’s when it became clear. He wasn’t just important; he was my person. The last 5 years have been far from easy, but we’ve always been, and will always be each other’s person.

In Austin, live music is king, and every Fall, the city hosts ACL, a weekend long outdoor music festival. My first ACL was in 2004, and it was clear that this was my place, and these were my people. I love the energy. The hot sun beating down, tens of thousands of people sweating, drinking, and dancing together. Watching artists leave it all on the stage and watching the people in their insane outfits dance it out. It’s a happy place, and will always be my happy place. I have gone to ACL every year since I was 14. At first it was with friends, then on my own, getting to grow my relationship with my favorite place. Finally, in 2017, my favorite person got to meet my favorite place. We got to experience new music together, enjoy delicious food and drink, and even laid under the sun as the music lulled us to sleep. I told Cody pretty early on that I would enjoy being proposed to at ACL. As ACL 2019 approached, we had been living together for 6 months, so the thought crossed my mind. Would he propose? No, I thought, maybe next year. We went early Friday to get a picture in the big photo frame on the hill. We walked down, went through security, and got straight in line. Already covered in sweat, the sun beating down on us, we finally reached the front of the line, and asked a volunteer to take our photo. I walked straight up, while Cody spoke with the woman, and put his things down, taking a lot longer than I remember wishing he had. It was hot, and people were waiting. He stepped into the frame, took his sunglasses off, told me he loved me, and kissed me. I remember wanting him to move faster so we could grab a beer! He took a step back, got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. My ability to hear left me. I brought my hands to my face, asked “are you serious?” and looked to the crowd, hoping they would tell me if this was real life or not. It was in fact real life, and, while unfortunately I have no idea what he actually said to me, the only answer was yes.