B & B Lyskoski...the wedding

August, 2007...

"Britt, I met the one."

"Brian!!! What?! Where?! How?! When?! DETAILS!!!"

"Her name is Brittney, we met at camp, she was on hos, and she's perfect. I'm going to marry her."

"Ooooo...Well, I gotta meet/approve her!!!"

December, 2007...

Brian - "I'm going ring shopping today!"

"You better let me know what you find!"

(a little while later...over text)

"I got one! The perfect one!"

"Oh my goodness Brian!!! I can't believe it! I'm so excited"

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Brian and I go way back. We have been friends for about 8 years (His older bro and I were friends even before that). We have been through everything together, walked each other through some pretty difficult times, near death experiences, and some amazing ones as well. Always there to lean on each other, and count on the other for guidance. We even went to homecoming together one year! The rollercoaster of high school, and his first couple years of college (he's a grade younger than me).

One night, up at QMC, we were laying in the field with some other friends just staring at the amazingly black ad starry sky. Talking about life, and growing up, and getting married some day...he randomly interjected, out of the blackness "Britt...when I get married...you're shooting my wedding." I sort of laughed it off, while half-heartedly agreeing...

All these years later, the day he proposed I got the phone call..."Britt, I'm getting married! You're shooting my wedding!" I hadn't even really met Brittney yet! After an engagement session at the end of December, and a few double dates, I knew that Brian and Britt were perfect for each other, and was elated at my friend's joy.

Saturday, August 9 2008, my heart swelled with pride, and excitement and love for these friends. I had the privilege (along with the help of my dear friend Katee Grace) of capturing a day full of unbridled love, and uncontainable excitement. I was nervous! It's been a while since I've been nervous before a wedding. The prep went smoothly, the girls formals, and the boys formals all went perfectly. At the church I position myself in the sound booth above the aisle, the wedding party heads down the aisle...the crowd stand for the Bride. The doors open, and my lens is focused on Brian...his eyes adjust, his head tilts back, the movements of his mouth form "WOW" in utter wonderment at the woman walking toward him. Seeing her for the first time that day, and realizing that she was walking to be by his side forever brought tears to his eyes, and in turn to mine. I lost it. The last time I cried at a wedding was Richard and Wendy's about a year ago. But this was so personal, and so very perfect... 

Thank you Brian and Britt for being amazing friends, and giving me the opportunity to share in the romance of your day. It could not have been more perfect, and I am blessed to have been a part! Have an amazing Honeymoon in St. Lucia!  I love you both so very much!

At rehearsal dinner, Bri gave all the boys converse, the classic black and white ones...these were the ones the dads picked out...

**funny sidenote... Zach was Brian's small group leader in high school, and they became close. So he was in the wedding, which was fun. Brian is actually partially responsible for Zach and me getting togther...haha. long story. but here's a pic from high school...although, I will say that I like the latest addition to the group very, very much! In fact, I can't remember what it was like without her!

6 months later....

I've officially decided that time flies when you're having fun! Okay, okay, so it's a little cliché...I know. But it's true! when you've had the most amazing time of your life, doesn't it just seem like it buzzes past you like a bullet train!? It's amazing. Adventure after adventure, Studio 22 High School events, Sunday night worship, family parties, graduations, holidays, times apart, new friendships forged...all of these have been whipped into the batter of my life over the last 6 months. Each part adds a different flavor, and while each flavor is great on its own, when combined, the final cake is AMAZING...Life-changing even! Ok, so for those of you who didn't catch my silly baking analogy...while all the adventures and such are great individually, they are made a thousand times better when experienced hand in hand, adventure after adventure, with the one you love.

A few days ago was the 6th month anniversary of our dating life. And although to most it seems pretty trivial, to me...its an enormous milestone. In 6 months we've done everything I could have imagined. And More! We've danced in the rain, we've been to the happiest place on earth, we've frequented the beach, we've made lots of friends, made amazing food, gone on a hundred different adventures, and so many more things, I cannot even describe them! But beyond all that, beyond the giddiness of dating, and the silliness of receiving flowers for no reason; beyond the late nights of movies, and beaches; and beyond the simple thrill of feeling like (and knowing) there is no one else in the world he would rather have his arms around, there is love. Love that seems to get me through the long days, the short ones, and the ones that just won't go quickly enough. A love that is constantly encouraging me in every avenue of life be it, my times with the girls, or my walk with the Lord. When its been a long day, the girls have been in one of those moods, or I have work to do up to my eye-balls, or when its just been a really long day, and I can't quite figure out why... he, and his love are there. I am so very blessed to be in a relationship that makes me feel like no matter what is going on, no matter how frustrated I am with life, or work, or people, Zach is always there to wrap his arms around me, and remind me that he loves me with all his heart, and tomorrow is another day. We've had our moments, and our disagreements (that never really last all that long), but I wouldn't trade even those for anything! We grow closer together by the day, and even more importantly, closer to Him.

This last half a year has been the best of my life. When I was frustrated about finding a job Zach constantly prayed with and for me, and reminded that God had a plan. When the Kavadoy family fell into my lap, it was almost too good to be true, and only could have been orchestrated by Him. If not for Zach's encouragement, I probably would have had something else going on when Caeser contacted me.

Anyway, all this utterance of garbled thankfulness, and excitement is to say that I'm in love. I'm with the the man of my dreams. We have a story that even the best writers in Hollywood could not have concocted, and we are blessed beyond belief in every area of life. I'm so thankful that Zach is there to make me laugh and smile, and even catch my occasional tears. I Love You Zach! Happy Six Months!

Zach had a plan to celebrate on Tuesday, but we decided that would better work out another day when we didn't have other commitments. So, he said he would come up with plan B and all would be well. I was supposed to work from 12-5, and then head up to meet him for our plans. However, Linda's meeting ran long (completely NOT her fault...it was an all staff meeting with LOTS of "tech difficulties" that she was required to attend) and I wound up not actually being able to leave until about 7. Thankfully, Zach is a saint, and completely understood. He was amazing about the whole thing. I finally met up with him about 7:45 and was ready for dinner by 8:15. We jumped in the truck, and while he was peppered with questions about where we were going, and what we were doing, he managed to maintain a secretive smirk, and did not divulge. We parked, walked through the shops and headed down street. As we approached I wasn't really paying attention, in fact, I was probably totally immursed in the monolouge that was flowing quickly from my lips. We walked up to a door, and I looked up at the sign.

"MELTING POT?!?! You're taking me to the Melting Pot? Ooooo! I'm soooo excited!!!"

I threw my arms around him, and gave a little jump for joy/happy dance as he opened the door to my all-time favorite dining experience. We had a fantastic night, and all healthy eating habits went out the door for the evening! :) Here are a few shots from dinner!



we were both getting facials from the steam from the broth...





Thank you babe!!! :)