I’m remembering and celebrating an absolutely unforgettable night at the Esperanza Resort one year ago today with Amy and Michael.

Happy Anniversary, you two!

-Jenn

Most of all, I remember…I had wanted to get married in Cabo for as long as I could remember, and it truly could not have been a more beautiful or more perfect day. It had rained the night before, so when I woke up that morning and pulled the curtains back, I was thrilled to see that it was gorgeous out. The sun was shining and the ocean was sparkling below, and I just knew it was going to be the best day of my life.

My suite overlooked the site where our ceremony was going to be held, so I got to watch it all come together while I was getting dressed. My sister, and maid of honor, and all of my best friends joined me for champange and some treats from the hotel while I finished preening, and everyone was kind enough to stand in awe when I finally walked out in my dress!

My father passed away when I was in high school, so I had asked one of my very best friends’ dad to walk me down the aisle. It was the perfect choice and I couldn’t have been happier to have him at my side. When I finally met Michael at the altar, the feeling was unbelieveable. I was so excited to see him and couldn’t wait to say “I do.” During the planning, I had made an effort to make sure that our outdoor ceremony still felt like we were in a church. The Beesons had been kind enough to fly our Episcopalian minister in from Houston to officiate the service. The florist made us a custom floral cross that was breathtaking and even had pillows made just for me and Michael so that we could kneel during the Lord’s Prayer. All of those details really made the ceremony so meaningful to both of us and I am very greatful to everyone for making it happen.

We said our vows again with just our families in front of a Mexican Justice of the Peace with one of Michael’s best friends translating. For something that was a mere formality to make things legal, it turned out to be pretty special too and I loved getting to say “Si!” when she asked if I would take Michael as my husband. We joined everyone for cocktails and danced to our first song, “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding, while everyone took their seats for dinner on the terrace. We even had a super moon overhead to provide some spectacular waves crashing on the rocks. There may have been a bit of a splash zone, but it was all so beautiful, no one cared.

My Mom gave the most perfect toast before dinner, of course aimed at telling Michael just how lucky he was to have found me. We had an amazing meal, followed up by wedding cakes, two fire-works shows, and a hell of a good time on the dance floor. It was magical and I couldn’t feel luckier or prouder that it all actually happened.

-Amy

Most of all, I remember…walking down the aisle and having hundreds of family and friends looking back at me with such love, excitement and support on their faces. I remember seeing my family members dancing on the lawn under the twinkle lights. I remember old friends laughing together on the porch. I remember people running towards the chocolate chip cookies and having milk mustaches. I remember I felt so alive as I was dancing with our wedding party on the dance floor. But, most of all, I remember all of the happiness. Everywhere I turned, joy radiated from each guest’s face, and that was my favorite memory.

Of course there would not have been a wedding without a proposal! Brad proposed on a drizzly August morning in Crested Butte, Colorado. He convinced me to take a morning hike among the Aspen trees and wildfires, so we set out in our rain jackets. Soon after, the drizzle turned to a cold rain shower, and I pleaded with him for us to turn around. We stopped for a rest, and I thought he was searching for water. However, he took out a small box. Kneeling with the mountains behind him, he proposed while I shook with uncontrollable excitement. After I said “YES!” we stood there, damp, cold and very happy while the showers subdued. As we finished the hike, I remembered thinking he was able to capture every idea I had ever had about my proposal, but was never able to articulate. It was perfect in its simplicity and sincerity.
 
-Anne Marie

Most of all, I remember… Cameron and I were neighborhood friends and attended elementary school together at Midland Christian.  At the ripe age of five (or six?), Cameron became my first crush.  He filled my head with dreams of wedded bliss and all that goes along with the idea of what being married is like to a five year-old.  Our time together ended all too soon, however, as my family was transferred (the first of many moves) for my dad’s career.  Cameron and I were too young to stay in touch, but every now and then, my parents and I would drive thru our old neighborhood and it always made me think of my “little friend”, Cameron Phillips, and I would wonder how he was doing and what he was up to.

Flash forward two decades later to Spring of 2012: I had just moved back to Midland from NYC where I had spent the last two and a half years enjoying life in “The City”.  Cameron and I happened to attend the same service at Stonegate Fellowship one evening where we saw each other and instantly the attraction and sparks I felt at age six still flew at age 26.  We started dating and it didn’t take long before we discovered that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. What can we say, “when you know, you know…you know?!”

Our wedding day was filled with every bit of fantasy and happiness I imagined it would be. It was a blur, but it was absolutely perfect.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have predicted the events that have unfolded over the year; but they have, and for that I am forever thankful.
 
-Brecklyn

Most of all, I remember…When our wedding day came around and it was time for me to walk down the aisle, I had a few butterflies. But as soon as I was able to hold John’s hand I immediately felt a calm and excitement come over me. I remember holding his hand during most of the ceremony and feeling very blessed.

During the reception I absolutely loved when the costume box came out! From that moment on, everyone let their hair down and really started having a good time. I remember looking at all my friends and family and seeing their smiles and joy. It was a great feeling because I knew they were celebrating our marriage.

But most of all I remember the overwhelming love and support we received from our parents, family and friends. We were showered with kisses, hugs, and words of congratulations and best wishes. It is a wonderful memory!
 
-Kelly

Most of all, I remember… Marcus took me to my favorite sushi restaurant for our fist date. It just so happened to be his favorite place as well. When we ordered drinks, he ordered the same drink as I did. At first I thought he was just doing it to be sweet, but it really is one of his favorite drinks also! Throughout the night, our conversation was wonderful. It felt like we shared the same ideas and dreams.

I knew I would marry Marcus after that first date. I can’t really explain how I knew he was the one, it was just a feeling that I had. I remember coming home after the date was over and calling my sister and one of my best friends (who was also the matchmaker) and telling them both that he was the one. I was right!

-Kate

Most of all, I remember…Harris and I’ll had celebrated our 3 year dating anniversary in February of 2010. We were definitely starting to talk about getting married but he always told me he wanted to wait until after he graduated college.On April 2nd, he took me to his parents house on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, about two hours outside of Austin. I was going with him to Houston to spend Easter with his family and he said he wanted to go out there just for one night to rest and have some down time before the holiday. Soon after we got there he was asking me to go on a hike that we had done before a couple of times. It’s a pretty steep hill to climb and there is a cypress wood cross at the top. I didn’t feel like going hiking so he had to convince me. He said since it was Good Friday and we weren’t going to a church service we should take our Bible’s and read. I thought it sounded great so I went with it. We canoed down the river to get to the starting point of the hike and when I grabbed for Harris’s backpack, he snapped at me and asked if I could help paddle. I was a little like, “whoa…ok, ok” but I didn’t think anything of it. We got to the top and sat and he pulled a gift wrapped box out from his backpack. He said, “I just wanted to get you a little something for Easter.” It wasn’t shaped like a ring box so I wasn’t suspicious. I opened it and it was a Bible. He had it monogrammed with my new names, “Kristin Britt” on the front cover. I read it and was so confused but when I looked up he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was so fun to sit up there and talk about how he had been lying to me for weeks getting the ring and flying to Baton Rouge to ask my parents for permission to marry me. Then we drove right back to Austin and all of our friends and his family were at a hotel bar in downtown Austin to celebrate with us. It was the perfect night!

- Kristin

 Most of all, I remember… I met Brandon when I was a sophomore at Westlake High School. He was a junior at the time, and was in an art class with one of my girl friends. We were at the usual Friday night football game when she pointed out the “cute boy” in her class. We made eye contact from across the stands, and we both had an instant crush. It didn’t take long before we were “going out”, and have been together ever since.

One of the first trips we took together was with his family to their lake house in Marble Falls. While we had only been dating for three months, I told him then that I thought it would be a really beautiful place to get engaged one day. He took note of that and held onto it for nine years. After spending a day on the lake with our closest friends, we were all in the kitchen preparing dinner when he called me outside on the balcony to help him get the grill started. When I walked out, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was completely shocked! Of course, I said “YES!” We went inside and surprised our friends, and called our families. The next morning we got up and drove to Austin to have lunch and champagne with our parents and siblings.

The fact that we were both in T-shirts and shorts, (and I was without make-up!) is my favorite part. I have never felt more secure than I do with Brandon. We both cherish the foundation that we have built over the years, and nothing feels better than knowing I have the unconditional support from my best friend for the rest of my life. I am incredibly blessed and can’t wait to marry him!
- Natalie