Celebrating our marriage

We first met a few years ago at a 'yoga and brews' class at a local Ames brewery, where we briefly chatted, then went our separate ways. Ames is small and we have lots of shared interests, so over the following years, our paths crossed often at community events. Then in the spring of 2019, the stars aligned. We began to talk regularly, both feeling an immediate connection and, shortly after, went on our first date. Because of previously scheduled travel plans (Erik to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Sarah to Turkey and Lebanon), we did not get to see each other for five weeks following our first few dates, but kept in daily contact. Our bond continued to grow stronger. Not long after returning from our travels, we realized we were falling for one another. The happiness and positivity we both felt being in each others lives was undeniable. A few days after spending Christmas with Sarah's family in Virginia, on a misty mountain hike in the forest of Shenandoah National Park on December 29, 2019, we got engaged!

2020 was one for the books! We originally planned to have a small wedding ceremony in July 2020 in Virginia with close family, then a large celebration with friends from our Ames community in August 2020. Due to the pandemic, however, our plans needed to be modified. On July 10th 2020, we got married in a private outdoor ceremony at McFarland Park in Ames, IA with us, an officiant, and two witnesses. Our awesome photographer was able to capture the peaceful evening, from the meaningful wedding ceremony under a spectacular oak tree to a sunset photo session on the prairie. All of our loved ones were with us in our hearts.