On a mild summer day (out of character for August!), I married the love of my life and the best man I know. That was always my prayer — to marry the best man I know — and God blew me away with Ryan. How can I possibly summarize all the answered prayers we lived out on August 23, 2025?
The day began calmly with only a few of us getting ready at my parents’ house. Worship music echoed throughout the room, and the only word I know how to describe what I felt was “ready.” I was unbelievably ready to see Ryan, commit my life to him and start our marriage. It was full of peace, joy and anticipation but I also felt a holy hurry! I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to the man God had prepared for me, and me for him.
We had the best team, family and friends surrounding us on our wedding day, and the Lord had given Ryan and I time off work so providentially to prepare. We truly weren’t stressed going into the day, which was an answered prayer! Kristen with La Sposa Studio and my great friend Eliza pampered me with hair and makeup services, and then Eric and Jamie (our photographers) arrived early to capture it all. Not to mention, everyone’s favourite Carli Jo with Threefold Events ran the whole day seamlessly.
I had some one-on-one time with both of my parents and my childhood best friend through some tears and gave thoughtful gifts to show my thanks.
Then it was time to see Ryan. And the best part? It was 10:45 a.m., so we spent the entire day together and didn’t have to string out the suspense! He knocked on my parents’ door and, after waiting quite a few minutes, I walked out toward him. I was finally able to gift him a box of letters I had been writing since 2007 (at age 14!) and the journal I’ve written in every few days since we started dating. It was a day of one answered prayer after another!
Because many of my friends are in varied life stages, I let them have a calm morning to themselves and arrive fully dressed and ready for photos! It was fun seeing everyone in their colourful dresses, and the sun even made its appearance! Both of our families had arrived by that point, too, and it was so crazy watching everyone congregate in my parents’ home and yard. I could’ve never imagined it even if I tried!
We got to the church 45 minutes before the ceremony began to pray and put up our feet up for a few minutes. Then, the time had come! Everyone was seated and it all began. Rebekah Walker played “Goodness of God” on violin while our parents walked down to the aisle, then she and the Finchers transitioned to playing “Bless God” by Brooke Ligertwood. The bridal party walked in pairs before me, and my niece and nephews walked down during the bridge. And suddenly, it was my turn. I was standing with my Dad, struggling to hold back tears, and the doors swung open.
For my whole life, I had envisioned that moment … wondering who would be at the end of the aisle, finding the perfect song to walk in to and trying to imagine what I would feel. And nothing came close to the joy, readiness and peace I felt walking toward Ryan. It was the best walk I’ve ever taken, and I’m so grateful my Dad and I got to walk it together — a beautiful picture of him readying me for that moment through prayer and parenting.
After saying vows, exchanging rings, making a covenant with each other and singing three congregational songs before my brother-in-law preached, we walked out to none other than Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”! It was such a fun, joyful and light-hearted song to walk out to and we had a blast. The reception festivities ensued and we loved hugging and talking to so many friends and family!
After exiting around 5:20 p.m., we went to the fields behind the church my Dad pastors for golden hour photos. It started to rain while we were out there, but it was so fun running around the field, not a care in the world! We were finally married and the day’s festivities had come to an end. We changed into normal clothes, left the church, grabbed Panera 😂 and drove away with “Just Married” on the rear window.
