Ahh, Jamie and Chris. Where do I begin! Jamie is a very recent graduate of OSU (Congratulations Jamie!!), and is now a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Chris is a U.S. Marine and is also finishing his masters in Civil Engineering. Two highly motivated and ambitious people, who fell in love in the most romantic way. Here’s the email I received from Jamie, when we were first getting to know each other:
“Now, onto a little bit about Chris and me… we met in high school (our senior year) and became best friends. We stayed best friends for many years… he never got along with my boyfriends and I never got along with his girlfriends. In fact, we both had break-ups because of each other… haha! About 3 years ago, I went to South Africa for a veterinary program. One afternoon I was sitting in the middle of a field reflecting on life and it hit me that I was in love with Chris. I gave it a few days, thinking it would pass… I had never missed Chris like this; he had always been just a friend. Well, a few days passed and it didn’t go away – instead, I started missing him more and more. I paid to use the internet in one of the small towns and wrote to ask for his phone number (which, of course, I hadn’t taken with me to Africa). A few days later I was able to pay for internet again and found a message with his phone number. I decide I needed to know if what I was feeling was real or just in my head so I promptly called Chris to tell him I had decided I wanted to come visit him in San Diego (something he had been asking me to do every summer and winter break I had for 2 years). He booked me a flight for the weekend after I got home from Africa. I flew to California, and Chris picked me up at the airport (2 hours after my flight arrived) in his USMC uniform. The next few days were wonderful, and I knew that it wasn’t just in my head – I was in love with Chris. So, I told him. His response was “I have waited 7 years for you to say that”. Anyway, we dated long-distance while Chris was in the Marines for 2 years. Last September his active duty commitment was up, and he moved to Columbus, OH to be with me. He is getting his masters in civil engineering while I finish up vet school. Who knows where we’re go from there! Oh, and he proposed last September “unofficially” and I had a temporary ring until he could make my ring. He finished my ring and did his “formal proposal” on St Patrick’s Day this past spring.”
Jamie’s email melted me, and so did the numerous speeches given during their wedding, especially when Chris stood up and talked about his love for Jamie and what a remarkable woman she is. Together they melt my heart and I’m grateful for my new friendship with them. Jamie & Chris, congratulations to you both – and thank you for allowing me to be such an integral part of your wedding day.
Chris MADE Jamie’s ring, with the help of Jamie’s dad. Since her bridesmaids dresses were green, I chose limes (I LOVE limes) for their ‘ring fruit’.
Jamie’s father hugged me, the Wednesday before his daughter’s wedding, when I stopped by to pay a visit, and said, “Please, make sure to get a picture of me and my daughter.” What a sweetheart!
Chris told me that the spot where the guys are all walking to, below, is where he’s spent the happiest 10 years of his life. At Jamie’s home, by the water’s edge, because of the amazing memories they shared together there. He told me any casual shots of the guy and him should be right by the fire pit. These two were all about ‘meaningful.’
Fireworks were set off as the couple kissed for the first time as husband and wife.
