The most beautiful thing that Thor and I could ever hope for would be a beautiful marriage. A wedding is one day, while the marriage and relationships with the new family are the things that last, oh and the amazing photography! ;)
We both are paying off school loans and trying to save for a house. Presently, we do not have any photographer booked and have been searching for a student photographer because that's all that seems to be in our price range. Your wonderful photography contest would give us the opportunity to have our wedding celebration documented without adding to our debt!
Currently, our plans are to have a very intimate, relaxed wedding at a bed and breakfast surrounded by natural beauty. We both love the outdoors and are constantly finding new trails to explore. Between the two us, we’ve gone through quite a few pairs of hiking boots! I, Kim, work for the local park system as a secretary at the nature center and Thor has a geology background. It was this love of nature and the wonderful, world-wide-web that led us to find each other. Using a free dating web-site, called www.okcupid.com, we began dating in 2010 and now are looking to make this thing legit and legal!
We've already planned some of the important details such as the overall feel of the day. We would love to have a very meaningful celebration with forty of our nearest and dearest. Thor's grandpa, who everyone affectionately refers to as Pa, has already agreed that he would be honored to be our wedding officiant. He is a warm and very open person who has known us since the beginning of our relationship. He's seen us change, grow, and evolve as a couple.
Additionally, we'd like a ceremony that was above all heartfelt and genuine. Thor's grandma and my mom passed shortly after meeting each family. It would be so wonderful to plan a day that honored their memory and the huge influence they had on making us the people we are today. Both of us are very family oriented and it would mean the world to be able to share this day with them.
In order for you to gain a better appreciation of who we are as a couple we've included our proposal story that was sent out to extended family and friends.
"On Sunday, December 23rd Thor asked me to be his wife and I joyfully accepted! I knew he would eventually propose because we have talked about getting married since we first started dating, but it still came as a real surprise. He whisked me away for a surprise romantic weekend. I didn't know where we were going and all I knew was that we were heading somewhere to SE Pennsylvania. We ended up going to a town near Lancaster where a lot of Amish have their homes. It was so peaceful and relaxed. I have always been a county girl at heart so I feel most at home in a rural environment.
We stayed at this adorable little historical cottage that was so quaint and comfortable on the inside. There was no t.v. and just a radio for entertainment so we could really focus on each other without any distractions. We drank some sparkling cider the owner had left us and enjoyed each other. We also went touring to a local cave and had an amazing dinner. It was local, sustainable, and super tasty.
Then, on Sunday morning he told me to stay in bed as he was going to make me breakfast. I should have known something was amiss because I am normally the first one up on weekends and he didn't want me to sit next to him while he cooked. Without my knowledge he turned on a video camera and called for me to come down. In secret, I had designed an engagement ring for him and had been carrying it in my purse. He always expressed an interest in someday wanting an engagement ring for himself so several months earlier I found an amazing artist that design fingerprint rings. After completing a kit, I received a beautiful ring for him. I also asked the artists to inscribe the word, "Yes! Until Forever...". It was in my purse for a full month and I simply had no idea when he would propose. Without brushing my teeth or running a comb through my hair I plodded downstairs completely oblivious as to what he was up to.
Then, as the sun was rising outside, he had me sit down at the little breakfast table near the fireplace and asked me to read a letter he had written. There were such beautiful sentiments about me, us and our future. The last line said, "And now I want to ask you four words that I will never again ask anyone in my life.." and then he got down on one knee. He had asked his brother who is a professional carpenter to hand carve a sunflower with a secret compartment. He opened the middle of the flower and there sat the most exquisite ring I have ever seen in my life. Time seemed to completely stop and I was in complete shock. Some girls cry and others are silent, but not this girl. I started giggling and laughing like a little girl! I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. The whole thing seemed so surreal.
I forgot about the ring and immediately started hugging him. I picked up the flower and was examining it when I suddenly realized he was kneeling and waiting to put the ring on me. After he put it on, I had him sit down and I ran over to my purse. He looks kind of amused shocked in the video. I ran back and propose back to him. lol! It was such a joyful moment as he read the inside of the ring and seemed utterly surprised to receive something back. We went out onto our little deck and watched the snow rise over the small stream.
Neither of us could contain our excitement as we sent a text message to our close friends and family explaining what happened and told them we'd call later. Apparently Thor had been VERY secretive. It seemed everyone knew exactly the time and day he was going to propose! Everyone from his family to my dad to the cottage owners and waiters at the restaurant the night before all knew what his plans were. In case you are curious, please feel free to look at the photos I've put in my picasa album:
I am so incredibly humbled and honored to be his fiancée! I always loved the phrase, "Grow old with me, the best is yet to be!" and now that's where our lives are heading."
Thank you so much for taking the time to consider us for your contest! We are so excited to even enter. :)
