We Do: A Look Back

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh." ~Ephesians 5:31

I got married to Colin on January 6th, 2007. Here is a look back.

How It All Began
We "met" on December 11, 2003 online. Yes, online. Colin was minutes away from ending his free 2 week access to www.christiancafe.com when I sent him a message saying hello. We shared e-mail and msn addresses and within two months, we could not spend enough time getting to know each other. Colin lived in Gig Harbor, WA, and me, in Eau Claire, WI.

Our First Date
After Colin called me for the first time on February 4, 2004, he called me every day after, whether for hours or for a few minutes just to say good night. Colin flew to meet me in Wisconsin from May 1-3. My dad was with me at the airport, because my parents were a little afraid of this 'internet guy'. He surprised me with 2 dozen pink roses at the airport. On May 2, he took me to Olive Garden.

The Proposal
I was in Washington from December 19, 2004-January 7, 2005. On Christmas Day in Colin's mother's home in Puyallup, Colin told me he remembered that he had one more present for me, but had forgotten to put it under the tree earlier. I was completely unsuspecting. I unwrapped the box, and inside a white jewelry box was a 25 cent ring that lit up. Colin told me he could not afford the real thing...haha, silly guy...then got down on one knee and pulled out the real ring. I gasped. Didn't cry, but was in shock. We can't really remember what he said more than that he couldn't promise me the world, but he could promise me he would always be there for me. He asked me to marry him and I say yes! I couldn't stop staring at my ring.
Colin flew back with me to Wisconsin to celebrate with my family. We planned for a January 6, 2007 wedding in Wisconsin. Colin moved here permanently the summer before, after graduating with a criminal justice degree. I was still in college at UW-Eau Claire for music therapy.

Wedding Preparations
I chose red roses as a theme and chose a white strapless gown with roses down the back. Tuxedos were black with a black vest; Colin wore a white tie, while my bridesmaids had black dresses and each carried a single red rose. I selected the Spring Valley Congregational Church to get married at, because I attended youth group there my senior year of high school and became a christian at that time. The officiant was the woman pastor who led the youth group.

Our Wedding Day
The weather was 30 degrees, sunny, with snow on the ground. Morning memories included much anticipation of seeing each other and marrying. Colin had a bridesmaid send over a note saying he loves me and he will see me soon. He called me Mrs. Mumford.

Our Honeymoon
Cancun, Mexico. We basked in the sun, swam in the ocean and pool bar, and Colin won a bottle of tequila by playing a movie trivia game. I tried frog legs for the first time...Colin wouldn't even taste them.

                                              My best friend Lia helping me put my garter on:

Me with my parents and brother, Ryan:

Colin's mom and step-dad, three brothers and friend:

Our wedding party:

                                                                             I do!

                       Delicious cake: red velvet, creme de menthe, marble, and white with raspberry: