In typical stalker fashion I knew about Blake before he had ever heard my name. My cousin, Kayla (now bridesmaid) married the man of her dreams, L.a.(Blake's best friend and now groomsman). Being the wonderful and slightly nosy (I prefer invested) cousin that I am, I began researching the life of L.a. Salinas...which obviously involved a thorough search into his photo albums. There he was. A tall, dark, handsome, adventure seeking, guitar playing, fun loving... I called Kayla and demanded to know who this guy was immediately. To make a Long (pun intended) story short, we met the night of their rehearsal a month or so later. We hit it off quite well and the past five almost six years have been filled with family vacations, double dates, game nights (our fav) and lots of love for him. So, thanks to one of our favorite couples (Kayla and L.a.) and of course my extensive investigative skills, we will be walking down the aisle in our own wedding soon! I can't wait to celebrate with all of you!

I was never a big fan of set-ups. The awkward introductions and all the expectations that accompany an arranged match just don't appeal to me very much. So when one of my best friends, L.A. (groomsman), said I needed to meet one of Kayla's (his wife and Kara's bridesmaid) cousins at their wedding, I had some reservations. All that changed the night before their wedding. I was playing guitar for their wedding reception and we were a couple of hours into our band practice when the door to the church swung open and in walked the most beautiful brunette I had ever seen. She was wearing a floral print top and when she smiled the entire room lit up. Some people have said they heard music when they first met the love of their life, I definitely did! We were playing "Gone, Gone, Gone" by Phillip Phillips when she walked in. A line from the song says "Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you"...I can attest that in my case, the lyrics hold true. My heart was pounding as the practice ended and I walked over to meet the gorgeous girl with the sparkling green-blue eyes. Since that night almost six years ago, that beautiful girl with the sparkling smile has become the partner I want to share road trips with, the only person I truly enjoy talking on the phone to, and my best friend. Incidentally, she might also be the only person on the planet who enjoys game nights as much as, (maybe even more than) me. I've never been more excited and nervous than I was the day I proposed. Nothing went as planned. It was thirty-two degrees on the bank of the Mississippi River and we had to change locations due to weather. But after a couple of dead giveaways (she played along like a champ!), mistaking her dad for a homeless man, and attempting to play my guitar with frozen fingers, I found myself on one knee, asking my dream girl to spend the rest of our lives together. So thanks to our family and friends for bringing us together and thank you all for sharing in our special day!