When we found out that a wedding was a coming, I asked to be able to write about these two special kids, well they aren't exactly kids, but they always will be to those of us who remember when they were born.
Dana asked Wes and Mackenzie to separately provide me with a bit of their story and I am honored to share. Although there isn't much memory of it, below is the photographic proof that these two actually met in preschool.
Wes's first memory of Kenzie was in 8th grade, not surprisingly, it involved playing sports. His team was playing a scrimmage and she was waiting, with her team, on the sidelines to have practice. This was the first time Wes remembers seeing Kenzie, according to him, she was cute!
The next year, they both were attending the same school and when your last names start with the same letter, you tend to have your lockers near each other. Kenzie was attracted to Wes's smile right away and really admired how happy and kind he was towards everyone. Wes worked hard in school, sports, band, in everything he did and this just attracted Kenzie even more. However she never thought Wes would be interested in her as she was sporting some sweet braces and gap teeth. She couldn't have been more wrong. Wes was immediately attracted to her because she was in his words "super nice, smart, athletic, and beautiful."
Never ones to rush into things, they got to know each other better that year and then in their sophomore year, Wes had a party at his house. (I'm guessing Dana had her hands in that party, as she has always been an instigator!) According to Wes, the cliche "sparks were flying" was definitely happening that night. A few weeks later, after getting some insider advice that Mackenzie "liked" him, Wes asked her out on their first date and the love story officially began.
When asked about their favorite things to do together, it didn't surprise me that their answers were so similar. Going out to dinner, traveling, hanging at the cabin, going to concerts and sporting events, playing sports and going to church. These are just some of the things that were on their list, these two just love to be together.
They both expressed some of their favorite memories, what I found especially intriguing is, even though they have been blessed to be able to do the big things together, it is the little things that hold some of their best memories. Road trips to the cabin, singing in the car, laughing at silly movies or videos, going for walks, talking about the future and planning the wedding. That speaks volumes about who Wes and Mackenzie are, it is about being together, loving each other and those around you.
Of course there is one special big memory that stands out, the proposal. Last year on a family trip with Mackenzie's family to Europe, Wes proposed and Mackenzie said, "Let me think about it." No wait, that's wrong, she said "YES!"
I believe that it takes parents, families, and friends, who are "all in" to raise kids. These two are an example of just that type of community. Their parents and families are strong, loving, compassionate, Christ following, people.
Wes's mom, Dana, has the 8broadsabroad, who will always support and love not only her, but her peeps.
Kenzie's mom, Deb, also had a group of women to always support and love her and her peeps, affectionately known as the "kitchen bitches".
You never know when you will meet your "people", the ones that are always there for you. We were blessed, we met young, we didn't really know it then, but we had met our "people" and we just get better, tighter, more compassionate and loving towards each other and our people's "peeps", each and every day.
To wrap up this "special edition" of 8broadsabroad, I bring you all (well the few of you who actually read this blog) who are married, engaged, or maybe are just dreaming about getting married, Dana and Mori's advice about marriage.
1 - You are going to have trials in your marriage, no marriage is without them.
2 - Always communicate! Look for ways to build each other up, do not tear each other down! Never go to bed angry.
3 - No scorekeeping! You are going to go through times in your marriage when one does more than the other. It is not always going to be 50/50.
4 - Love only gets old if you let it!
5 - Most importantly keep Christ as the foundation of your marriage and you can weather any storm!
For the 8broadsabroad, we are all so very thankful to have been part of their wedding day which was ultimately a celebration of love. Wes and Mackenzie, may you be abundantly blessed with all that truly matters. You are loved, much!
