It was back in December that I got an email from the sweetest bride ever – Jenn.  She had stumbled upon my blog while looking at wedding photos (which makes sense since I found my wedding photographer via someone else’s blog).  She wanted to surprise her soon-to-be husband at the wedding with a reading of their story – her excitement about the surprise warmed my heart.

During our conversation I couldn’t help but get totally wrapped up in the beautiful innocence of this darling love story.  Afterward, Jenn continued to email me little memories and details – each one an absolute treasure.

Jenn and Alvin were married on July 8th, and though I wasn’t there, I couldn’t help but smile thinking about these two saying “I do” … and I’m certain that though they would say those words surrounded by friends and family, it would be as if no one else is there.

Congrats you two!

The Beginning

It was over summer vacation.
Alvin had just graduated and Jenn was his sister’s friend.  As Jenn waited for Amanda in the kitchen, she saw him there; arguing with his mother about a cell phone.

She had seen him before.  Of course she had seen him before.  But she had never really noticed him.  Of all the times they had crossed paths … he had never looked like that. Like, cute.

All she could say was “Hey.”

It was months later when Alvin agreed to drive his sister and her friends, including Jenn, to a birthday party. Though Jenn was in the back seat, she could still see his eyes in the rear view mirror… The drive could have taken 5 minutes or 5 hours, to Alvin and Jenn it didn’t matter.  Conversation came so easy.

Even though there was a truck full of girls …
It was as if no one else was there.

Then, when they arrived at the party, without a “good bye,” without a “see you later,” Jenn hopped from the truck and walked away … without looking back.

But if she had looked back…

She would have seen Alvin.  Hands on the steering wheel.  Looking at the girl he would grow old with.  Whether it was in that moment or a different one, sometime between the November birthday party and Valentine’s Day he knew … He was going to marry that cute Roseboom girl.

On Valentine’s Day, 2007 Alvin made reservations at Bozzini’s.

He asked for a private booth.

And over Italian food and easy conversation he asked her the “big question”:

“Will you go out with me?”

It was then, in that perfect moment filled with movie-like-romance that Jenn …
Decided to be “funny.”

“Aren’t we already out?”
It wasn’t as funny as she thought it would be.

All jokes aside, she agreed.  They were now a couple.
And though the restaurant was filled with people..
Sitting there, in their private booth, at the beginning of forever,

It was as if no one else was there.

—

The first time they held hands was out for pizza.
With their hands under the table, he placed his pinky over hers.
And while everyone else was enjoying the food and company – laughing, joking, and covered in pizza grease – Jenn couldn’t think about anything other than Alvin’s pinky.

The first time they kissed was as Jenn was about to leave for Holland.
As they said their goodbyes, Jenn didn’t even realize what was happening until Alvin leaned in and gave her a little peck.

With that simple gesture Jenn got very flustered… too flustered to stand there anymore.  Not knowing what to do or say – she grabbed her bag and started to just walk away.

Not about to let her leave the country like that, Alvin grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and kissed her again.

This time for real.

The first time she had ever been kissed.

Though Jenn was nervous she hadn’t done it right … Alvin said it was the best kiss he’d ever had and Jenn is happy that it will always be Alvin she is kissing.

The Engagement

It was last October and though they had just been to the PNE the weekend before, Alvin pointed out that they had forgotten their camera thus, needed to go back and capture it on film.

For the second time in a week they wandered around the playland until Alvin suddenly had to use the bathroom – very very badly. Jenn waited patiently outside while Alvin took a deep breath and moved the ring into his pocket.

It was time to ask this cute Roseboom girl if she would share his last name.

He walked out, took Jenn by the hand, and walked her to the Ferris Wheel – making sure to take photos all along the way of the two of them, together, smiling, in love.

As they stood there in line, Jenn wondered, “Could tonight be the night.”

Afterall, it had been just a few days earlier that Jenn’s dad had come home from an afternoon of golfing with Alvin and said “Alvin asked me a pretty interesting question today…”

She knew it was coming… she just didn’t know when.

As they loaded safely onto the Ferris wheel and left the ground, Alvin’s expression became serious.  He looked at Jenn and spoke the words he had always known he would someday say to her:  “Jenn, you are my best friend.  I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

And then, despite the fact that they were suspended in mid-air, despite the fact that he had always insisted he didn’t have to be on his knee to propose, he slid off the seat – placed his knee on the metal grating, and held a ring in his hand.

Jenn forgot to say yes.

But it was clear from the shine in her eyes and her overwhelming smile that there wasn’t anything she wanted more.

For the next hour or two they walked among the crowds and carnival lights, not telling another soul what had just happened.  It was their secret.  And though the Exhibition was packed with people,

It was as if no one else was there.

—

That night, neither of them slept.

Jenn couldn’t stop thinking that they would finally be getting married.
And even in the dark, she couldn’t stop staring at her ring.

Alvin couldn’t stop thinking that the cute Roseboom girl would finally be his bride.

The Future

Today, what started with a glance in a kitchen has brought us here – to witness the coming together of two individuals who couldn’t be more perfectly matched.

With Jenn, Alvin knows to expect the unexpected.  Her spontaneity is enthralling and their days will be filled with adventure.
He knows he will always be encouraged to take the path that will make him stronger, wiser, and a more fulfilled person – even if that path means facing challenges.
There will always be someone to sneak into the Harrison Hotel hot tub with him.
Or to take a day trip to Victoria … just to escape.
He knows she will always support him.
And when times are stressful, she will know just what to do to ease his mind.
Jenn will always be proud of the man he is and the man he is becoming.

He loves her love for him.

With Alvin, Jenn knows she will always be treasured.
She knows that she may have to fight to win Monopoly.
With Alvin, even when she is annoyed, she’ll still look cute.
She knows there will always be laughter.
And even if they’re on a sinking boat with a broken motor, the day will be better for it.
She knows that she will always be heard;
If ever she needs something or wants something or has a concern, Alvin will listen.
She knows that every time she walks up to the house, even if she’s only been gone a few hours, Alvin will hug her like it’s been weeks.

She loves his love for her … and knows that he’s all hers.

When this celebration comes to an end … When the music stops and the guests have returned home.  When the tuxedos are returned and the white dress is hung … the best for Jenn and Alvin is still waiting.

To spend time together.
To have a home together.
To wake up in the morning side by side.
This is what is waiting on the other side of today.

And though the word LOVE certainly isn’t big enough for the two of you,
With a love like yours, Just being together is enough.

Because when it is just you two …
It’s as if no one else is there.