At Texas Old Town in Kyle, TX with Ryan + Monica
I'm not quite sure where I picked this up along my path, but one of my favorite quotes is this:
“If two hearts are meant to be Together,
no matter how long it takes, how far they go, how tough
it seems, fate will bring them Together to share their love forever.”
Meet Monica and Ryan y'all! I am still so blown away by their crazy twist of fate. The very first time they 'met' was actually in Pre-School! Yes, this couple technically met when they were only 4 years old and now they are husband and wife! Well, soon after they met all those years ago, Ryan's family ended up moving away to a different state entirely and a crazy twist of fate many years later would bring the two again together. There is something so special about how and when love decides to introduce itself and its timing is always perfect. I fully believe in the power that brings two people together and their story is too good not to share.
All those years later, Monica explains a bit more about the first time she actually remembers meeting the man that would later become her husband:
“Of course, neither of us remember meeting each other at that age. What we do remember? Ryan was visiting Austin one weekend with a friend while taking classes that summer in Beaumont. Monica was taking summer classes at UT and was only really expecting her friend Kristin to stay for the weekend. After hopping in the backseat of Kristin’s car to grab dinner, behold! There was Ryan Jones. The rest is history.”
Monica handed me her details to photograph as soon as I arrived to the venue and included in these items were two vintage printed photographs and a beautiful intricate golden cross necklace. Monica and her mother began to explain how special this cross necklace was to their family. Monica explained the necklace belonging to her great great great grandmother, Johannah Otto. It was a cross she had received while converting from being a Mennonite to Catholicism so she could marry her great great great Grandfather. The precious piece had since been passed down to Monica after all those years and she explained the two photographs were of her great great great Grandmother, Johannah and her grandfather, abuelito Manuel. The legacy this necklace holds is irreplaceable in Monica's family & it was such an honor to be able to capture this piece of history for such a sweet bride. She tied the necklace to her bouquet of flowers as a reminder of her heritage and the legacy of love that has been passed down throughout her family line.
As they spent their time getting to know each other, they slowly began to fall in love and 6 years later, Ryan knew Monica was meant to be his wife. He decided it was time to propose. The proposal in Monica's words:
“With a pick-your-own-adventure style of planning, he spent the day doing whatever I wanted to do. Since I was on-call and the phone could ring at any second (thank goodness it didn’t!) we stayed in, he brought me flowers, got pupusas from a hole-in-the-wall nearby, and played some board games. After demolishing Ryan Jones in the board game and coming out victorious, he gave me a card. It was adorable and sweet. I loved it. Predictably, the first thing I did was go to put it on the refrigerator. When I turned around he was waiting for me on one knee.”
Okay, Ryan, you have the moves! A day to do whatever she wanted? Talk about a girl's dream! Oh, and I'm sorry for your loss due to Monica's amazing board game skills.
Let me tell you, If you are lucky enough to know this sweet couple, consider yourself blessed. When you are around the two, you immediately understand the love they have for one another and how magnetic their connection truly is. During their Engagement Session at McKinney Falls last year, I noticed how calm Ryan was with Monica as she was walking (very bravely) in her high wedges. He offered a hand to pick her up from sitting down and also offered his shoulder for her to grab on to as she took her shoes off and back on, all with a smile. Monica was overflowing with joy on their wedding day and she explained how excited she was to marry Ryan.
Like I've said before, I am by no means a marriage expert, but I do know this: bringing both patience and joy in to a marriage will greatly help during some of life's challenges and even on the most mundane of days. These two have a way of making each other smile just with one look and this alone is evidence of their genuine love for one another.
Monica & Ryan,
It was such a blessing being able to photograph your big day! The love you share between each other is one of a kind and I truly wish you each the best future together. Remember the patience and joy you have for one another. I hope that when you look back at all your photographs from your wedding, you immediately think of the genuine bond you have between the two of you. Fate has truly dealt you each cards that made you not only meet back up all those years later after going to Pre-School together as children, but also as combining your two paths together as one forever. Remember always - you are stronger unified as one. May you always remember how you felt on your wedding day and treat each other as a priority. It was such an honor to be able to witness and capture the amazing commitment you made to one another and I sincerely hope you stay adventurous together as you enjoy this new journey in your lives together!
With Love,
Lyndsay
Special thanks to the following vendors who made this day possible:
Venue: Texas Old Town
Caterer: Catering by Mopsie
Flowers: Jordan's Flowers and Events
Hair & Make-Up: Katy Reddell Beauty
Cake: Polkadots Cupcake Factory
DJ: Hype Rhythm DJ
Rentals: Amelia's Weddings
Bride's Dress Brand: Mori Lee
Bridal Salon: Baley's Bridal
Bride's Shoe Brand: Betsey Johnson
Bride's Perfume name & brand: Wisteria Blue by Nest
Bridesmaids' Dress brand: Bill Levkoff
Groom & Groomsmen Suit Brand: Men's Wearhouse
“Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”