Thursday, August 16, 2012

Tying the Knot

It's been about a month now since we celebrated Mike's final day as a single man. For those of you who don't know Mikey, he's Jarin's younger (by a year) cousin. They pretty much grew up like brothers ... well, as close as they could be while living 600 miles apart. I got the privilege of really getting to know him when we all lived in Minneapolis together, and there probably isn't a better man in this world. He's passionate, sensitive, genuine, and humorous. And he's a family man. Thankfully, he also chose to marry the world's best woman... with a heart of gold and spirit like you've never witnessed. Melissa and him make an amazing couple, and we waited years for the day when he finally got down on one knee.

Soon after proposal, they asked Cade to be their ring bear. (And he took his job seriously, panicking during the ceremony when he realized they were exchanging rings... but he was still holding the (fake) ones!) The wedding took place at the family lake home on Pickeral Lake, in South Dakota. This place isn't just an ordinary lake home -- it holds history and family memories that tell stories. Grandpa and Grandma Brandly purchased it 40 years ago, and it's standard that the children in the family grow up boating, skiing, and playing cards there. Nine years ago, Jarin proposed to me on the same dock where Mike and Melissa exchanged vows. If Grandma were here to experience all that I have there in just 10 years, she would be amazed.

The location was only a small part of the beauty that made the Kolb wedding what it was. They even recorded instructions for their own flash mob, and let me tell you how cool it was to watch that in action at the reception! Dynamite is now the kids' new favorite song, well, because they have a coordinating dance routine!

I regret that it's taken me so long to share our memories from their day. It was so spectacular in every way, that I wanted to capture our whole experience. Watch the video for yourself, and even through some poor video quality, you'll see just how unique of a day it was.... every detail was perfect.

If you can't see this video, click here.