We're Married!

To access meeting recording, copy and paste link into browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/mCNia7eXysqVutL2iXIxa_EFKVHotXzKmQoqCFFmZONjYB-vPIoXr1h2aweQoFRB.35YSv2TQSX8hX8Qs Access Passcode: Text Heather @ 314-808-2986 ***See Photos under the menu for ceremony program information and additional wedding day photos***

Heather, Three years ago today, a spark turned feeling into flame. A flame to envelope everything. A burn which swiftly covered the earth in frenzied and fevered ember. Giving our grounds a chance to cultivate and nurture anew. Through smolder and cinders a garden bloomed. At first, a single sprout amongst the ash. But with time flora blanketed the land growing bold and unhindered. Disregarding the worldly constraints in which it grew. Through Fortitude and resolve it flowers to this day. Providing sustenance and sanctuary for the soul. Alas, no garden is ever complete. It requires persistent nourishment, love, and on occasion, a spark of flare. Giving it the ability to grow shameless and unabashed forever more. Heather, this is the promise I make to you: Our gardens roots will dig deep and provide foundation for when storms heave heavy blows I will work in our garden every day until my skin is scorched by the sun. Until I can no longer draw breath. Until the ground itself is dissolved by the decay of time, and the sky is ripped asunder. This is my promise to you.

Andy, I solemnly promise to take you as your are entirely. I choose you today and always, knowing and loving you as the incredible person standing before me now, and trusting in the person you will become. I promise to grow along with you; to be brave and willing to face change with you, even as we both shall change. I promise to never give up on you, our love, or our happiness. I will keep and nurture our relationship like a garden: dutifully, mindfully, and with great pride in my labor. No matter the circumstance, I vow to comfort and care for you, support you and encourage you, and respect you. Today, I give to you all of who I am, and all of who I ever will be. I love you.

The evening was cool and cloudy. It was a Wednesday, and it had felt like the closing of any other day in our household when my chores were suddenly interrupted by Abby and Lucy. They excitedly lured me outside to be in the midst of our garden with Andy. "Come quick, you can see the Northern Lights!" they said. I met Andy outside, confused by the situation. He then tricked me into going to check the mail, although I had sworn I saw him get it earlier that day...Just as I had suspected, there was no mail. When I turned around, Andy was already down on his knee. For a split second, I thought that it might be a cruel joke. It wouldn't have been the first time that Andy had dramatically bent down, to tie his shoe....But this time he was holding a small white box, and in it was an emerald ring. I gawked at the beautiful Alexandrite gem. I couldn't believe it. Together, Andy, Abby, and Lucy asked me, “Will you marry us?” In that surreal moment of bliss, I gave my answer wholeheartedly: yes, yes, yes!

Andy and I met halfway, face-to-face on September 16th 2017 at a casual Cuban, Creole, and Caribbean inspired restaurant called Boogaloo, in Maplewood, MO. Thanks to Bumble, a popular dating app, we had spent weeks prior to our date connecting through texts and phone calls, which would last for hours. When I pulled into the parking lot behind Boogaloo, I noticed a black jeep pull in seconds after me and park adjacent to where I sat in my black Toyota Corolla. I froze as I watched a tall, handsome man confidently step out of the jeep and walk swiftly up a flight of wooden deck stairs into the back of Boogaloo. It was just after dark, but I was 99% sure that it had been Andy. After losing sight of my likely companion, I courageously stepped out of my vehicle and followed suit. The place was alive with people; the lights elegant and bright. An overwhelming feeling of excitement flooded through me as I spotted the tall man sitting at the bar. I noticed his navy, white polka dot shirt and shaved head. I was still only 99% sure it was him. I approached Maybe, Andy and had just started to reach my hand out to tap him on his shoulder. My heart suddenly skipped a beat and I quickly retracted my hand. 99% certainty wasn't good enough. I quickly retreated to the front of the building, hoping that he did not notice... I pulled out my cell phone. "I'm here." I texted Andy. "I am at the front." He was there within moments. Silly me. The next few hours were a blur, dotted with unforgettable moments of happiness and hopefulness for the future.

"...and if you happen to stumble upon me in the darkest corners of life and by chance, fall in love with my heart I will offer to you, the pieces of my soul that were neglected by others Not to put them back together, but to align them with the pieces of yours that have been long forgotten."

We hope for you to join us in the celebration of our love, happiness, and excitement, whether you're witness to our wedding or bearers of this great news! We cannot wait to be married! We will host a small wedding before our immediate families Wednesday, the Sixteenth of September Two Thousand and Twenty, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon!