{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.