Today I Take You

Our wedding day. April 16, 2011.

Let's see, where should I begin? Well, we had about 5 months to plan this thing. I have always dreamed of getting married at my Granny & Grandaddy Kennedy's farm. We just call it "The Farm". It is a beautiful place, not only because of the memories made there but the landscape too. We started work immediately on a few major projects (new roof for the barn, clean several fallen trees, pull more fallen trees out of the pond, etc.) I must confess, when I say we, I really mean my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and Ryan. I did help. But not like they did! (MANY THANKS!!) Planning was pretty easy for me. I had in my head what I wanted and we just went from there. Ryan and I are both pretty laid back so we didn't want anything real formal. Everything was going to be outside; ceremony by the pond, reception by the barns. My sister helped out a lot by putting some ideas into more realistic projects. We, after all, didn't have a long time and I was getting use to a new job. Anyway, plans, plans, plans.......and then THE DAY!

Everyone had been worried about the weather all week leading up to the 16th. I wasn't until I woke up that morning! Cloudy. Not only that, but cloudy with a 40-60% chance of rain. It fluctuated throughout the morning. Everyone that was helping out kept calling the house asking, "What are we going to do"? Well, we are going to have a wedding. And we are going to have it outside! Ryan had written me the sweetest note that both made me cry and calmed me down at the same time. I won't share it all, but at the end he said, "I'll be waiting at the bottom of the hill".

The bridesmaids and I spent the morning relaxing and getting beautiful. The groomsmen spent the morning hanging out and helping setup. We all headed out to the farm (a short 10 minutes from my parents house) about 2:00. And guess what....SUNSHINE! No clouds, No rain! I could feel all the prays just pouring out as I got out of the car. The Lord provided a beautiful, but windy, day. The wind was welcomed and cooled us off and kept bugs away. I was so thankful!

As with most thinks there were a few hiccups. (my aunt rushed the bridesmaids down the isle because she thought it was thundering. It was the wind in the microphone!) Haha!

But as I walked down the isle to meet Ryan I clearly remember the words that were playing:

"He will allure her
He will pursue her
And call her out
To wilderness with flowers in His hand
She is responding Beat up and hurting
Deserving death
But offerings of life are found instead
She will sing She will sing Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away To valleys low
To acres of hope Acres of hope"
by Shane & Shane

It was sung so beautifully by Tyler Lyle.
The song is written from the book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Its a beautiful picture of how God pursues and redeems us. He gives us the blessing of marriage to share that picture of his love with the world. May we always treat it that precious.

Ryan and I decided to write our own vows. Which freaked me out a little in the beginning. He is such a great poet and writer and I, well, don't really think I am. With a little guidance from him, I finished mine. As I look back at them again, I just can't help but be right back under that pine tree...

Today, Laura, I take you to be my wife

I solemnly vow with the help of God

To be the husband God commands to be.

I promise to love and cherish you above all

To give up my life for you.

To lead you with gentleness

Thinking of your needs before my own.

I promise to forgive you when I’m wronged.

To be patient when life’s hard

To be your strength when you are weak

And I promise to provide for you and our family.

I promise to love you regardless of wealth or health.

I willingly and gladly forsake all others for you

And I promise to be yours and only yours for the rest of our lives.

Today, Ryan, I take you to be my husband

To be God’s chosen for you, in whatever life shall bring.

I promise to love and cherish you above all

To submit to you as to the Lord

To encourage you with gentleness and a quite spirit

Being sensitive to your every thought,

Considerate of your every need,

Patient with your every weakness,

Providing a heart that understands,

And a warm home for you to live in.

I promise to forgive you as God forgives us.

And to love you regardless of wealth or health.

I willingly and gladly forsake all others for you

Today and forever you are my beloved and I am yours.

The reception was in between the barns. It was so much fun! I wish I could have slowed things down to that I could have taken in every moment. We ate, drank, danced, and tried to visit to everyone. As the sun started sinking behind the trees, it was time for us to jump in the Bronco (my dad's '79 orange Bronco!), head down the driveway lit with sparklers, and get the honeymoon started;)!

April 16, 2011 was amazing, but only the beginning to our new life together. We thank God for allowing us to be blessed with the gift of marriage. We pray that it will be glorifying to Him and a picture to those around us of God's love for them.

Place me like a seal over your heart,

Like a seal on your arm

For love is as strong as death

Its jealousy unyielding as the grave

It burns like blazing fire,

Like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;

Rivers cannot sweep it away.

For I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

View more pictures on the "Our Wedding" tab
Visit The Mondays Photography for amazing photography.

My Love

November 5, 2010 I became engaged to the most wonderful God-fearing man. I truly believe that God has chosen us for one another before we were even born. He plans these things. He knows because He created it all. Though God's love cannot be matched, he allows us to experience as close a love as we can here on earth through marriage. We had been together for about 10 months when we got engaged. I cannot wait to see how God shows his enormous love to us both (and hopefully those around us) though the gift of marriage.

About Ryan. We had been friends for a while before we got together. We just seem to fit. I have always been so comfortable with him and we've always been able to be completely honest with each other. Which for me is so important! He is finishing his PhD in neuroscience at the Medical College of Georgia. Smarty. He loves college football and most importantly he loves the Lord and continues to seek him. He doesn't just take things a face value. Ryan is the kind of person who challenges you to know why you believe and think certain things. I guess its the scientist in him. But it has really challenged me to dig deeper in my life, especially in my faith to know why I believe and what it is I believe.
The Proposal....Ryan's dad is a pilot. So he took us up for a sunset flight around Augusta. It was beautiful! Unfortunately, I get motion sickness really easily (even after two Dramamine). I wasn't feeling that great after the plane ride, but thought dinner and some fresh air would help. We went to dinner at a little restaurant downtown and then went for a walk on the riverwalk. I had no idea the whole night! Not until we walked up on some candles that spelled.....

Ryan got down on his knee and asked if I would marry him. I said yes!! Well, I actually said, "OF COURSE I WILL!" We then went to his house to celebrate with our friends and family!

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~ Psalm 27:14

Welcome

Hey Friends and Welcome! I'm excited to get this new blog started. It may go through some major changes as Ryan and I figure out exactly how we want things to look and work. Can't wait to share our stories! Enjoy:)