{be mine} tammi+joel

Marrying your best friend’s brother is definitely one of those “have your cake and eat it too” moments in life. We had known each other for a long time, but it took several years and a good deal of persistence on his part before I saw him the way he saw me. He told me he really thought we would be good together. And you know what? We are. It’s one of those God things where it is immeasurably more than you could ever ask for or imagine. We started “talking” right after I had moved from MI to Kentucky for graduate school, and we spent two years dating from three states apart. Long distance relationships can be rough, but somehow it was perfect for us – we got to know each other much more quickly and on a deeper level than if we had been in the same town, because you are forced to actually talk to someone when your only means of contact is over the phone or Skype. I remember the first time we saw each other in person after talking on the phone for weeks: I drove up for a fall break, and was staying at his sister’s house (my best friend!). He came in with my favorite ice cream and a few movies I had mentioned wanting to see. Talk about paying attention to the little details! About a year later, we were asked to babysit his (our!!) nephew, Liam. As I was changing him into his pajamas, I saw his onesie said “Tammi, will you marry my Uncle Joel?” I turned around, and there was Joel, down on one knee, with a beautiful ring he had designed just for me. We were married in May 2011 at Castle Farms in Charlevoix, MI. My dear friend Brittani captured our day, and I still feel butterflies when I look at the pictures and remember how special that day was and how grateful I am for this man God has given me to love. We have been married for almost 8 months now, and we would love to have Brittani capture the joy we have together now as we have gotten our feet a little wet in this adventure called Marriage.

{be mine} sara+joel

Joel and I met in the spring of 2009 and the second we met I honestly remember thinking to myself, “what if I marry this boy?” Who knew…!

One of the first moments I knew that Joel and I would be great together was a trip to Chicago that we took with some friends. Joel was the most patient driver I have ever ridden with- I was amazed. With my road rage, I knew that this would be a good fit for me. His peace and patience made the day perfect and I loved watching how he enjoyed life. I remember coming home and being excited that I had found a friend that I had felt safe and at peace with!

We started hanging out more over the summer of 2009. Joel doesn’t talk much, and he began to get flirty over text.I finally got it out of him that he liked me, and our first date was August 4th, 2009. Our first date happened to be 3 days into a 21 day cleanse that I was doing. Lucky him! I knew that I would let him hold my hand that night when I saw that he had made me a fruit platter…it was gorgeous. His mom later asked about the date, and I told her what he had made, and she said, “Sara Jo! He CUT fruit? My son CUT fruit? He must love you. He has never cut fruit. You need to marry him now.”
Our second date included the game “20 Questions” in order to get him to open up – we became best friends that night.

A month after dating, and convincing others over and over again that we were just “dating”, we decided to go to GCC’s first Wednesday service. It was honestly the most awkward service I have ever sat through. I wanted to die. All that week Joel and I had discussed taking the next step, but he was so nervous. Once the Pastor started talking, my face turned bright red and I wanted to run out. The guy next to me, I’m sure, was wondering why I was looking at him the whole time, because I couldn’t look over at Joel. The pastor continued to talk about how in life, we are faced with scary situations and sometimes we just need to “jump” and trust that God will take care of us. He said that when we jump, we are not jumping into an abyss, but we are jumping into the arms of God, who will protect us and bless our decision.

The next morning, I woke up with a few text messages that he had sent me over night. It had been obvious that he had not been up all night praying about us. The last text I got said, “I'm ready to jump...will you jump with me?”
What a great way to wake up!

We became official on September 5th, 2009, became engaged March 17th, 2010, and got married August 6th, 2010. We got married on our 11th month of being together, and celebrated 1 year of dating after a month of marriage. There are countless times where God had made clear the direction of our relationship. Many times, it was the simple prayer of “God, put our hearts where they need to be, because this is going so fast!” But of course, God knew what He was doing, and of course, we were terrified at times, but that is what made it an amazing journey. My marriage to Joel has been such a blessing. God truly blesses those who love Him and “jump” into His will for their lives- and I am truly honored to fall in love with the same person every day.

{be mine} steph+nate

HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS (does that even happen anymore?!?!)

We met my junior year of high school. January 2nd 2001 to be exact. I distinctly remember my first words to him, "wow.... you're really tall." (duh) Of course, with my stubborn ways and Nate's shy and almost nonexistent pick up skills... it took about a month for us to actually "go out". (he asked me in an email) There's too many details to include them all... but the long story short is that I followed my heart and his and we only grew closer when I also moved to West Lafayette and attended Purdue.

(skipping approximately 6 years of info...) Nate FINALLY proposed February 23, 2007 during a wonderful weekend in chicago! after 73 months of dating... he figured out we were meant to be! Chicago is still a special place for us. WE celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other special events in this wonderful town! Now, after 3 years of being married, the only thing that has changed is that we are closer than ever- and we have real jobs and can afford to enjoy life a little more!! 11 years is a long time, but we absolutely cannot imagine living our lives any other way.

The happiest day of our lives was August 9, 2008... and luckily for us, YOU were there to capture it! And to this date, you're the only person who has shot professional photos of us. we'd like to keep it that way!

Life is our adventure. We love Fondue, Seafood, and sushi. We love the Chicago Bears, and of course the Cubs. We love riding the motorcycle in the summer- and I even took motorcycle driving classes with Nate!! We like to get outdoors and go camping or kayaking. We LOVE a good party and a last minute vacation. And on a normal day- we snuggle up with our two dogs.

{be mine} hannah+adam

Dr. Seuss once said “When you are in love you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams". Love is definitely not what I expected it to be...it is so much more challenging, so much more exciting, and so much more fulfilling than I ever dreamed possible. This is the story of my husband Adam and I...in a nutshell of course!

We met in what might say was an "ordinary" way...at college and through a mutual friend, but that is where the "ordinary" ended in our relationship. We really got to know each other on Spring break of 2007 where Adam says he knew within a few days that we would someday get married. It took me a little longer to figure it out!

We started dating three days before I was to graduate from college and move to Rochester, Minnesota. Yep, 450 miles and 8 hours between us after only a few days of dating, not exactly what we planned...but it turned out to be such a beautiful thing. We talked every day (to the chagrin of my sister and brother-in-law whom I lived with:), and tried to see each other as much as possible. God taught us a lot about each other and himself during that first year...it was definitely not the easiest, but when we look back at that time we see how much it helped solidify our relationship and gave us such a great foundation. Even now I see the daily impact of that time in our lives. It's been 1,362 consecutive days (but who's counting:)) that we have talked every day...and we don't plan on breaking that run any time soon!

Adam planned on proposing at the Farm Market I had worked at back home for 10 years…but being in Northern Michigan, the weather did not quite cooperate. Instead, he worked with my family to get me away from my parents house and he set up a maze through a field…weaving through the pine trees and two feet of brand new snow...it was Christmas eve and perfect. We were married 9 months later on September 26, 2009 and I can say without any hesitation that our love has grown deeper, stronger, and so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. It's been just over 2 years since we were married; we've moved to a new town, both got new jobs, and welcomed our awesome son, Elliott to our family...life isn't what we dreamed that's for sure...it is SO much better.

{be mine} chelsie+curtis

Curtis and I have known each other for some time but we were reconnected through friends. It was one of those things that we just clicked right away. We spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other our dates were usually staying in or going to my parents and having dinner and playing games. We did go on a few adventures though. To the east race in South Bend, some weddings, homemade water slides, Canada with my family for a long weekend without any running water and electricity ( I think that was the true test) When we got engaged he completely surprised me, well I had been hoping it would be soon. We had been at my Grandma’s playing cards that evening and he dropped me off at home. I went to bed thinking oh well I guess today is not the day. I got all ready for bed and all of the sudden my dog started barking, and he was mad. I look out my window and Curtis had climb up to my window and had flowers and a ring. I was so excited I GET TO MARRY MY BEST FRIEND! He asked me in March and were married that following December. We feel very blessed with all that God has provided for us including each other.

{be mine} renee+steve

We met while working at Stanley Clark School in October of 2004. We continued to work together through the school year and parted ways in May of 2005. Fast forward two years... :)

Steve was working at Kohls and just so happened to be in the shoe department when I came into the store looking for what else?! Shoes! I never did find shoes that day, but I did find the love of my life!

We chose to submit this picture from our wedding because it shows the "real" us. We love to laugh together...& Steve never fails to bring a smile to any situation! We were married in March of 2010 and blessed with a baby boy in April of 2011. Our little guy has brought so much fun and laughter into our lives! While spending time with Landon is WONDERFUL, a special photo session for just the two of us would sure be a special blessing!

{be mine} leslie + bill

Bill came into my life at such an interesting time. I had been divorced for just a short time, had two young girls, just moved out on my own (with the girls). I was really getting into the routine of my new life but I'll admit I did long for someone to share life with. I knew the girls were getting older and would soon be out of the house.
When Bill and I had our first date, I was coming from work and didn't have a chance to change or "primp" I remember thinking that this was who I am..this man could take me or leave me. It was a fun dinner that lasted 5hrs! We talked about everything and the bonus was a foot rub! I didn't know what I was expecting to feel on a date but I remember feeling comfortable. A month later after we emailed daily, we met again. This time we went hiking and again the same feeling of comfort was there but this time I saw something else. Bill brought a bottle of wine to celebrate the fact I had been waking up early in the AM to walk with my neighbor, Tom. I knew right then and there that this was a special man. He really thought of the little things. It only took a few more dates to seal the deal with me. I knew that I had FINALLY met the man I was gonna spend the rest of my life with. Funny thing was, Bill needed a little more convincing!
Being parents of 5 kids we are keenly aware of their need to know they always come first to us. We are also very thankful to the 5 of them for excepting each other and Bill and I into each others lifes. Our relationship is almost perfect and the kids are a huge reason that it works so well.
I'm thankful everyday for this man who loves me unconditionally and would do anything he could for my happiness. He is warm, funny, thoughtful and such a good natured person. We really do have a great time together with whatever we do, And we do ALOT! He has taken me on many fantastic vacations, but the simply times we have at the lake are just as wonderful.
I'm very excited to marry this man and continue this wonderful adventure!

{be mine} liza + jesse

The Story Of Jesse and Liza Rivera, goes like this:

We met on my first day of Sophomore year at a new school. I was in a Junior class for my first period and not knowing anyone sat in the desk in the back, trying to be shy. Jesse came up to me with his spiky black hair, JNCO jeans, and coke bottle glasses and before saying a word, knelt down and gave me a shoe wedgie! I was pretty much smitten since then. We started dating in high school on a mission trip to Guatemala, what a beautiful country-I think anyone could fall in love there. Although we went our separate ways for college, we were always the best of friends. We were soul mates and nothing could break that bond. He proposed marriage on my 26th birthday and on June 20th, 2009 I married my best friend. This time I was smart enough to show up barefoot, hindering any chance of that ever elusive shoe wedgie. We spend every moment we can together and have as much fun as humanly possible, on a daily basis. I don't know what life would be without him, but am glad I don't have to know that.

new years resolution

I have a couple resolutions...

1. project 366 (take a photo a day for a year)

2. begin blogging again!

So in order to keep myself accountable I'll be posting previews as well as a new contest! {be mine} 2012

stay tuned... more to come.