Kristin and Erik met 10 years ago when they lived in Idaho. At first they were just really close friends who enjoyed spending time together. This went on for a year before Erik took the risk of asking his best friend to be more than just that. It was a mere six weeks into dating that he proposed to Kristin! Seven months later they were married in a historic country church. Over the last 8 years, they moved around from city to city and had two little ones.
We are so excited to celebrate them at The Big Fake Wedding Portland Thursday night at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe!
What was the most unique part of your engagement story?
From her: Something that is unique to our engagement is that we only “dated” for 6 weeks before Erik popped the question. We were such good friends that there wasn’t a lot of mystery that made the decision to further our relationship complicated. This friendship has been a huge foundation to us having an awesome marriage.
What was the absolute best memory from your wedding day?
From him: The best memory from our wedding day was seeing Kristin walk down the isle. That picture of my beautiful bride walking towards me is permanently burned into my memory.
From her: Something that I have done to remember our wedding is to wear my wedding jewelry every year for our anniversary. I can’t always do a “wear it again” wedding and throw on my dress, but I can wear my jewelry and it has become something special for me.
What inspires you about each other?
From her: This man works hard, he is kind, he is optimistic, he is gentle, he is humble, he isn’t selfish, he is willing to be right graciously and wrong humbly, and he sacrifices joyfully.
What is the most awesome thing about your marriage?
From him: The most awesome thing about our marriage is that it’s built on a friendship. We genuinely enjoy each other, and at the end of the day there is no one else I would rather be with.
What advice would you give an engaged couple?
From him: My advice to engaged couples is to have fun and always assume the best of your partner. Rarely does someone you love mean to do you harm, but it doesn’t always come across that way. In a conflict, if you are able to take the position of “they meant well, it just didn’t come out very well” you are already on the path towards resolution. This goes hand-in-hand with the simple truth that love is a choice, not an emotion. Sentimentality and emotions will come and go, but when you choose to love the person you are with, then come what may your marriage will stand. Your marriage is what you choose to make it!
From her: Seek wisdom and don’t be prideful when you are struggling or need help (it’s okay to ask for help). Something that was very beneficial to our marriage was going to a Love and Respect marriage conference. It really helped us iron out some basic communication problems, learn how to assume the best of one another, and change how we treat one another publicly and privately. It can be challenging, but going into it desiring to change yourself (and not your spouse) will help you make progress in being a husband and wife that genuinely loves and respects one another.
Photo Credits:
Gotcha Photography (1,2)
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The Big Fake Wedding Portland is completely SOLD OUT! If you missed out, we invite you to join us at another one of our events – check out our 2016 schedule here.
