Love Stories | Part 1
Love Stories | Part 1 : An Airplane Romance
Welcome to The Blog’s first series! We’re live! I am thrilled to be sharing some tips and tricks for wedding planning, some helpful ways to get through your season of planning and of course real life weddings! In the off season I thought it’d be fun to share some love stories and advice from couple’s who’ve been there. I mean, Valentine’s Day is a couple weeks away, so why not?! This first story is one of my favorites, not only because Elizabeth and Derek are close friends but because it’s the perfect plot for a RomCom. It’d be called something like An Airplane Romance.
Back in the era of Skype dates, Derek and Elizabeth dated long distance for 9 months. Derek made the first move by asking Elizabeth to MOVE TO WISCONSIN from Kansas… Let’s go back to the beginning.
On a plane to NYC these two were seated on a flight one row apart. Derek over heard this pretty lady in the row in front of him chatting about a college ministry she’d been working with. As it turned out, they had a mutual friend and a lot more in common. The rest of the flight these two hit it off and continued talking. Once they landed, Elizabeth took off to baggage claim, excited to meet a friend! Derek caught up to her and they two said their goodbyes. They should have, but didn’t exchange numbers. But Derek, intrigued by Elizabeth, got her number for their mutual connection. ( YAY!) Hopeful, they’d be on the same flight back Derek reached out and made his actual first move. After texting and Skyping for while Derek visited Kansas.
After 9 months of long distance, Derek asked Elizabeth if she’d like to move to Wisconsin, where he was living. ( In case you’re wondering- Elizabeth and I became friends in 2014 when she moved here- truly an important part of this love stores if is say so, myself!) Derek was love struck and after a few more months he popped the questions. Elizabeth said YES! They got married in Milwaukee and the rest is history.
You NEVER know where a flight will take you… ( hopefully to your destination). But you might find yourself 9 years into marriage with 3 beautiful kiddos and one fantastic love story.
Now for some Q + A!
Q: Do the D + E believe in love at first sight?
A: No
Q: What is one thing you loved about your wedding?
A: D- our colors, mint and orange. E- Seeing our people and seeing all our DIY elements come together.
Q: If you could tell your younger self one thing prior to marriage, what would it be?
A: D- Find the person you can grow and change with. E- Work on yourself… before wanting to bring another person into your life.
Q: During your time together, what is one thing that you have learned?
A: D- Be open in communication, don't be defensive, give the other person time. E-I do think communication is key. Being long distance for 9 months helped us with that, but in marriage you will continue to grow and change as a person and as a couple so inevitably your needs will change as well (ie. how you need communication).
** GOLD! Years of marriage talking here- and I LOVE these answers!**
Q: What’s one thing you regret about your wedding day?
A: Both- The DJ. We hired a college kid who didn't really know what he was doing to save money. E- As a designer the decor was important to me in that I planned and DIY'd a lot. I should have hired a planner because when I showed up to get married, the family members who were setting up wasn't even dressed yet because they were working so hard.
** Fun Fact: Elizabeth helped me jump into weddings by allowing me to assist her as a planner, later on. I cannot stress this enough- DIY is great but hire a planner or coordinator. Take it from Liz! And she did a phenomenal job with decor.**
Check out this sweet throwback photo. Love it!
Derek + Elizabeth
Skype dates going strong. Eleven years later they’re married with 3 kids and still living in good, old Wisconsin.
