As many of you know, we got MARRIED! However, given that we chose to still wed during a global pandemic, there were a lot of people we weren't able to celebrate with and our celebration looked a little different than anticipated. With that said, we couldn't imagine not being able to celebrate with everyone we missed. So we decided to do a vow renewal for our one year anniversary and hold our reception at that time (same party, new date). Each and everyone of you is important to us and we couldn't imagine a better way celebrate one year of marriage than with YOU. Plus, when you get the chance to marry your soul mate on more than one occasion, how can you refuse? So prepare your dancing shoes because we plan to celebrate accordingly - can't wait to see you there!

Due to Covid-19 and the regulations put in place, we had to make the tough decision to postpone the celebration we initially had planned for the safety of our family and friends. However, after talking about what really mattered to us and what was most important, we knew we still wanted to get married on our original date as planned. In front of our family on June 20, 2020, in a small intimate ceremony, we took each other as husband and wife. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and lots of tears! Every time we look back to that day we can't help but smile and remember how meaningful the day truly was to us. Even though it was not what we had in mind when it came to saying "I Do" we wouldn't change anything about that day. Looking back, it allowed us time to celebrate with those closest to us and cherish all the little moments of that day so much more.

I had just gotten out of my last final during my second year of law school, when Tanner told me he wanted to go to Fort Gorges to celebrate. He had packed a wicker basket with sandwiches from my favorite shop, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and other snacks for us to enjoy. Unbeknownst to me, he had also hired a water taxi to take us to the island. The taxi dropped us off on the island and we picked a spot by the water to eat our picnic lunch (Tanner was so nervous he couldn't sit while he ate!). Tanner then asked if we could explore the island a little - I readily agreed. As we were walking around Tanner told me he really wanted to go to the top of the fort so we could get a picture together there. However, the stairways to the top had locked gates blocking them. After much convincing on his part, he sweet talked me into hopping the gates and we made our way to the top. Once on top we sat for a little bit taking in the spectacular views of Casco Bay. Tanner, growing more and more anxious, said he wanted to get a picture. He began setting up the tripod and put our camera on a timer to get a picture of the two of us (we were the only ones on the island). As the timer began counting down Tanner turned me toward him, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him! I cried, asked if he was sure, and made the best decision of my life by saying "YES".

We first met at Student Government at the University of Maine and didn't think much of it. We then would continue to meet through fraternity and sorority activities. Casually bumping into one another and briefly exchanging words occasionally (when we found the courage). One night, I and some of my sorority sisters were at Tanner's fraternity house. We began talking and we just clicked. I batted my lashes, he puffed out his chest. Numbers were exchanged and a first date was set. That's pretty much when we thought, "Okay. This could be something." The next day he whisked me off into the sunset on the back of his motorcycle!