Kat

Michael and I met through a mutual friend that he had just started dating, and I worked with. We all often were in the same social circles, and he drove me nuts! No, seriously...I did not care much for him, at all! He obviously had a huge crush on me...and it made me uncomfortable. About 7.5 years later, his relationship with her ended...and he drove by my house and left a note in my mailbox to call him. I have no clue why I called, other than morbid curiosity, but we chit chatted a lot...and I agreed to meet up with him for drinks. Four months later, we were moving to the Lake of the Ozarks, together...from the St. Louis area! (VERY unlike me...I think I shocked everyone who knows me!) We had started dating exclusively, right off the bat. (I am not one of those serial daters, anyway!) My bestie had moved to the lake, so in visiting her often, we fell in love with the place. My kids were grown and on their own/married...figured, "Why not?" It was SUPER rocky, initially. We lived off of our savings for a long time because we could not find decent jobs since it is a town that goes from 3000 in the off season, to 30,000 during peak season. Honestly, I GREW into love with him, during this time...and THAT is what made me say, "YES" to his proposal on April 25! We are having a 95% DIY wedding, in a beautiful vineyard. Our "theme" is sort of a mish mash of shabby chic/antique/vintage/vineyard with lots of burlap and natural elements. We are having NO wedding party, with the exception to my son walking me down the aisle. Our wedding and reception is just as much about our friends and family, as it is US...we are including them in as much as possible. =) But we are paying for it by ourselves, which is about the only thing I panic about, relating to the wedding! LOL (we have since established good careers, here!) It is very different being an "older" wedding couple! When I went to pick a dress...EVERYONE was under 30...and it just felt...weird. LOL We can break a lot of "rules" and go MUCH less "traditional" however. =) Congratulations to you all...and thank you!