Many of you know that in January, Jordan and I with many of our closest friends and family jet set to Hawaii to get married (or renew our vows for those who are technical). It was an experience that was so emotional, beautiful, and I love being able to relive it through my images. Jordan and I decided about a year after he came home from Afghanistan that we would reconfirm our vows to one another. If you’re wondering the back story, a quick recap; Jordan served a second tour in Afghanistan for approximately 10 months. Within this time he and I were married in Edmonton. Now I would never say that I regretted anything we did, for the time he was away I loved him just as much as those moments he is at home.
However I was naive. I thought this would be a walk in the park for us. I was wrong. I turned into an emotional basket case. It really hit me at New Years, watching the news and getting phone calls, asking if I had “heard” or “seen” the news. People were referring to if I had seen the several soldiers who had been killed in an IED attack. I remember being at my Auntie’s house, feeling faint and literally falling into the closest chair. It hit me then that December, weeks before we were supposed to get married, that in literally weeks, something could happen. I could be a widow. My emotions, my thoughts, my stability crumbled. I was terrified. I wanted to walk down the aisle to that man because I was scared I never would get the chance to do it again. I was also scared to walk down that aisle knowing that he may never come home again.
It was hard to enjoy the emotions of that wedding day knowing the future ahead of us. It was hard to know he was going to be leaving again for 4 more months. It was hard to stay sane.
I will never forget being at the airport, sitting, hugging him, crying. Attempting to be strong and failing. Driving home alone. Coming down from this high of what should be the ‘honeymoon phase’. It was hard to be alone. I was broken hearted. I truly struggled.
Fast forward the months ahead, Jordan came home, ‘jacked and tanned’ and we were together. We grew through the growing pains, found our pace once more, and after many chats, we decided there was nothing we wanted more than to celebrate our conquests, and to renew our vows. We wanted our closest friends and family to join us, a day that was built on emotion, and simply love.
We wanted a day to be together, without fear, without worrying about worse case scenarios. I feel selfish saying it, but I thought we had earned it.
I dreamt of a day at the ocean. In paradise. I wanted to wear the dress of my dreams, and do everything to the best of my ability. I am lucky to say that I got all of those. I’m a particular woman, and I know what I do and don’t like so it was so important to me this time to make it perfect. I was lucky to have many local vendors join us in Hawaii. Including Shawna from Anela Salon, who is actually a Kona Hawaii native, which was perfect. We had Jennifer from Akiko Floral Artistry doing our florals, and she made them picture perfect. Last and certainly not least we had Susan and Krister from Picture That Photography. Sue and Krister are friends, they aren’t just photographers. I trust them both always, and I knew that we were in good hands with them. They truly captured our day to a tee. I can now sit back, with a glass of wine and cry many times going through our images, and I remember something new and amazing each time. They captured every.single.moment.
We were married at the Four Seasons on the island Kona. We picked it because it was a bit different, more laid back and it was somewhere new for us both. We rented two large villas for our family and friends to stay in so we could spend as much time with them as humanly possible. We truly were married in paradise.
Many tears were shed that day, many memories brought up, but so many new moments created. It felt like fate that we were there and everything was happening. We had an amazing officiant named Earl perform our ceremony. Without cue, hint or being told, in the middle of our ceremony Earl looked and Jordan and his best man and thanked them for their service in Afghanistan, and then turned to me and said thank you to me as well, saying “that this is the reason we are here today, because you waited”. I bawled. Heck, I can feel the tears now just remembering it. Earl was a Veteran himself. It was like he was put there that day with us.
So as the turtles roamed the beach, the waves crashed, Jordan and I experienced the perfect day in paradise. My heart healed a lot that day, it felt like it was a long time coming. Without further a-due, here are some of our beautiful images from our perfect day. Jordan and I are quite shy so there aren’t too many, and we’ve saved many photos for just he and I to cherish, but I love all my fans and wanted to share this moment in our life with you all.
All Photos by: Susan & Krister of Picture That Photography
Florals: Akiko Floral Artistry
Hair: Shawna with Anela Salon
Ceremony: Kona Island, Four Seasons Hotel
I never knew I could love a man as much as I do you, Jordan. Not many can say they have married their best friend twice. I love you.
