Individuals Behind the Big Day

Food: we are having an Asian influenced reception (NC) dinner. Renee, a family friend here in Chicago, is coming down to be our in house chef. She has be making amazing food for us to taste, which includes sushi. She is also making the cake, and by no surprise, its not really a cake (I'll let you be surprised. Its fantastic). But we are so excited and so extremely thankful for Renee. Thank you again, Love.

Photography: (my biggest excitement) let me first explain my mindset on this subject. Since I live in a world were I am constantly analyzing light and organizing colors and look for the perfect setting for things - of course I would make that happen for the wedding... almost every piece of it. And whats funny is that I almost put on the invitations, "please wear the following colors: ...." But I thought that I would be deemed a little to crazy if I actually did that. (But if you really want to know: please don't wear big prints - stick with solids; pastels are perfect... the color spectrum is always changing but a good bet would be Reds, Browns, Blacks, Whites and Tans.) But I am making decisions on the basis on "how would this photograph." And thus leads us to introduce Dirk Fletcher. He is the director of the photography program I am in, here in Chicago. He is a brilliant photographer and an awesome person to hang around. I am very thankful for him to be apart of the day. Thank You, Dirk.

Ordained Individual: Matt Coghill and his wife have been awesome mentors and friend to Brian over the years. When I came into the picture, they also took me under their wing. As they prepare to move to Brussels as missionaries, they have put in their plans to marry us before leaving the country. We love them and thank you once again for all you have done for us and can't wait to visit you in your new home.

Wedding Party

So here is the line up, and please don't laugh (but smile immensity)

Austyn Elizabeth Bruenning and Brian Patrick Ford are the Bride and Groom (no surprise). Maid of honor is Raun Alexander Bruenning (Austyn's brother - so it is really called Matron of Honor). Best Man is Evan Ballowe. Our flower girls include our grandmothers on our mother's side - Ethel Gregg and Jerry Barrington. Matt Coghill is marring us.

So thats it. Pretty sweet, hu?

And yes, the flower girls will be throwing peddles. And no, Raun will not being wearing a dress.

The Wedding

As we were walking down the mountain that August afternoon, just after Brian purposed, we discussed what we wanted for a wedding. Large or small, mountain's or ocean, and who we really want there. The answer to the later question included: our family (our parents, Raun and Amy, and grandparents). We wanted it to be a party and nothing huge and extravagant. We have a lot of people apart of our lives, but we wanted this union to be focused on our family. We have put a small list together of some close friends that we really want to be part of our family for those days in North Carolina. Friends that have been apart of our past and have done nothing more than encouraged and supported us individual and together. I have 30 family members, Brian has 7 family members. Its not going to be a large wedding at all. We also decided that we would get married at a spot that I had always thought would be a great place to get married - Out in North Carolina on Holden Beach Island. Its a sweet small residential Island - no tourists. Its beautiful there. We would make a vacation out of it, where it just so happens that there will be a wedding in the middle of it. I also thought it would be awesome to get married on a Tuesday - and for some amazing reason, it works to do it so on Tuesday instead on the traditional weekend. We want it to just be fun and relaxing - not high key like every other wedding. A chance for our families to bond without the stress that accompanies weddings. It will be beautiful, simple, and picturesque. All that we could ever want.

The Proposal

Austyn’s Story

I was able to surprise Brian by flying in to CO a day early for that August visit. Ryan and his girlfriend at the time, Ashley, picked me up from the air-port Saturday morning. I called Brian as I was standing outside the house, waiting at the door. I said in the middle of, “I wish I was there now (all that ladeda love stuff that everyone does),” “me too”… I then threw in, “so you wanna come answer the door?” He just laughed pathetically and said, “yeah… that would be nice.” So… I knew he wasn’t going to get up. I walked into the house, and knowing he only has good reception in his room, on his bed, I began to walk towards his room and stood at the end of this bed. He was laying on this back and then started realizing that he could hear my voice not only in the phone; he looked up. And then screamed (a masculine scream… ya know the deal). He was ecstatic – and I can only image what was going through his brain; because also that night (remember, I wasn’t suppose to be there), he was going to meet up with Matt and Nicki to plan what they were going to do for the proposal. Ah. Plans changed real fast – and they didn’t skip a beat. And I, having no clue, was so estatic that I surprised Brian… having no clue that he had a surprise of his own.

This was going to be the first time we were going to be in the same place for more than 3 weeks. It was very exciting, but a lil nervose for me. I was fearing that he was going to realize throughout the 3 weeks that he was sick of me… I had no idea he was all ready and going to ask me to marry him.

Brian had class everyday till 2, so I kept myself busy during the days. So Tuesday morning, I got a call from our friend Nicki, asking if I would be interested in hiking with her and Matt in the Rockie Mountain National Forest on Thursday. I was completely thrilled. "Of course I would!" So they were going to pick me up Thursday morning at 10.

Thursday came and Matt and Nicki arrived at Brian’s Parents (where I was staying). We got in the jeep and started our journey up to Estes Park. We ate subway for lunch. While sitting at the table eating, Matt and Nicki asked, “how does a Brian let a girl know he likes her?”… of course I smiled (cause I’m the girl in the story). And after trying to analyze the answer for the question, I simply said, “I think that Brian just makes up his mind – and then lives it. There really isn’t a conversation or something he says to let you know. You just all the sudden find yourself in the middle of it… and it ends up being wonderful.”

Once we got up in the mountains at the bottom of the train, Matt instantly started booking it. (Now… it’s a lot harder to breath in high altitude, especially if your not use to it. Hiking fast and low oxygen makes one tired.) I kept up pretty well, though. Matt in front of me, Nicki behind me. Matt kept saying, “so, storms roll in between 2 and 3 – and I really want you to see this spot. Then we can come back down slower and take more pictures.” (He was in a little rush) So we continued to book it. I did pretty well. But at point, we had to cross this little log bridge – I was scared I was going to fall into the water – the lack of oxygen was making me a lil dizzy. But I made it.

We reached this point where Matt lead us through some rocks to hike around. Matt turned to me and handed me the pack that he had carried up and said, “I’ll give this to you. Nicki and I like to play around these rocks” (I thought he was being a little prudent; but I was okay with it. It was just a little odd. But I took it with emphises, like “alright! I can do this! Just strap this backpack on me like a pro and watch me go.”) So we went a little further, Matt in front of me, Nicki behind me. Nicki, again, talking, trying to keep my mind away from questioning things – she did pretty well. Then Matt stops. Turns around and looks at me. I look at him, wondering why we stopped. Then look down, there was a rose! I got so excited. I looked at him with intent eyes trying to convey, “did you set something up for Nicki?!?!?” I was so excited. And somehow I was apart of it! This is so cool! Then I looked at his response, which was with a shrug, “I don’t know why this is here.” So I shrugged as well and got sad that someone left a rose here, all alone. Who would do such a thing? Unless it was left for someone to find…

As all this was going through my head, I was completely unaware of what Nicki was talking about. She then comes up behind me, kisses my cheek and says really softly, “follow the path.” I then looked down at the rose, then looked up to see both of them with lil sweet smirks on their faces, holding hands and turning and walking away (that would be the last time I would see them till later that night). I knew at that point that Brian was there. I picked up the rose… turned the corner. No Brian. But instead another rose. I kept walking, picking up roses and feeling really silly because I knew that someone (Brian) was watching me, but I had no idea where he was. I also had not put together that he was purposing. Again, complete oblivion. I just thought it was just another sweet thing Brian was doing. But I did think, as I have also thought before, that if Brian would purpose to me right then, that this would be a picture perfect way. But I really didn’t think he was going to.

As I was collecting the roses, I noticed that the next one was on top of this really large, tall boulder. “What?” I really didn’t think I could make it up that. But then I said to myself, “If Brain thinks I can make it up that. Than I can do it.” So I took the pack off and threw it on top. Then managed to scramble up. Brian was standing there with the last rose in his hand. He was holding another things behind his back. It was a book. The night before I asked if he would tell me the story of us again. He responded, I can do that; How about tomorrow night? Well… he put together a book that has pictures of our story and wrote words to them. So I sat down on a rock, he still standing and I began reading the book aloud. It was so cute – I loved it. Then came the last few pages:

“...and the best part of it all…” (next page)

“that this is only the first chapter,”

As I turned the next page, there was one last picture, with no words. It was the ring.

My heart stopped. I couldn’t believe it. This wasn’t what was really going on, was it? Brian then knelt down and opened the ring box and said, “Austyn, I love you. And want to spend the rest of my life playing with you. Will you marry me?”

AH! What? Ah. Wait… what’s going on? What? Are you sure? – I didn’t hear a word that he said, except for “love. Play. And for the rest of my life.” I was so flustered. So flustered. Everything was flashing before my eyes. I didn’t think I would be cry– I was crying. I then realize I hadn’t responded. I said… well, I think I forgot how to speak for a second, because I could only node. Then finally got out, “yes. Yes.” And grabbed the ring out of the box and put it on myself. When I realized that I put it on myself, I looked at Brian and said in more flusteredness, “oh. No. you were suppose to do that weren’t you?!?” He kissed me and said, “its okay.” I said, “no.” so I took it back off to then made him put it back on me. If I had already been having some problems with lack of oxygen – it had only gotten worse. He brought up strawberries, and two camping wine glasses. We sat there. Talked and laughed. Took pictures. Told each other’s stories. It then began to all come together…

So we then hiked the 3.something miles down the mountain, holdings hands, and were engaged. We talked about everything that we hadn’t really been able to talk about or bring up – where are we going to live? Where do you want to get married? When do we get a dog? …Kids?... all those awesome important things.

On our drive back home, we stopped to purchase me a dress and shoes for reservations that Brian made at a Sushi bar for that night; Matt and Nicki were going to meet us there. It was a wonderful night. A wonderful day. Golly gee.

Oh. And I almost forgot. The ring – it was his great grandmother’s wedding ring. His grandmother also wore it for a short time as her engagement ring. Its beautiful. And I feel so honored to have that kind of legacy placed upon my hand.


Thanks to Matt and Nicki, and Grandma Barrington.

*** if you would like to see pictures taken of the day, feel free to visit: http://interiordesign.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005992&l=db1fa&id=138701382
enjoy!

The Beginning of "Us"

So Brian sent me a message asking me if I was going to be in California for Thanksgiving. And to be flirty, I responded, “Yes. Will you be in California for Thanksgiving.” He responded with, “Yeah. Especially since there’s going to be a lonely girl out there I know.” I was a lil shocked … but was so thrilled.

Ryan and Brian arrived Sunday at four in the morning the weekend before thanksgiving. On Tuesday, Ryan headed down to L.A. to pick up his interest, Ashley, leaving Brian and I alone for the afternoon and evening. Now... I didn’t think Brian liked me. Not at all. I thought he was amazing… but truly believed nothing was going to happen. So we grabbed dinner, hot cider, and grabbed Ryan’s sleeping bag (we didn’t want to get ours dirty) and headed down to the beach that was a few blocks away from my apartment. We sat down on the sleeping bag and were just enjoying the scene and talking. One of my favorite things about Brian, is that he will tell me stories. Whenever I would ask for one, he would pull something together instantly; I love it. So, while we were sitting on the beach, I asked him if he would tell me a story. He did. It was of a starfish who was scared, and didn’t know anyone, but then made friends and lived happily ever after. At that point, Brian put his arm around me and pulled me into his side saying, “I am really glad we came.” At this point, I was saying to myself, “Brian, you can do this to me, this isn’t helping me,” (in reference to his arm around me. Oh man, I feel like a lil school girl talking about this – but this is the story, so I continue…).

Then, as we were talking about something else, we started laughing and ended up on our backs. In the motion of laughing, my hand landed on Brian’s chest… and his hand landed on mine… and didn’t leave. I instantly froze. Completely. I wasn’t all flustered and giddy – I was in complete fear. I didn’t know what to do. And he was just so nonchalantly and playing it cool… so relaxed – I was just frozen, thinking, “what do I do?” I finally had enough guts (now this is really silly… and embarrassing)... I had enough guts to say, and tried to say so nonchalantly, “so… this is just cause of the atmosphere right?” - In reference to the the dark night, under the stars, on the beach, listening to the waves – so romantic, all alone. He then just shook his head and said (still completely, nonchalantly), “no. I don’t think so.” I instantly shot up in shock and turn to look at him with a cocked head, “are you serious?” And he, playing it cool, said, “yeah.” I was going crazy and in complete denial. “Since when?” “um… Catalina… the week you were out in CO.” “Really?” (was still in complete shock)… I am almost embarrassed in how I responded. But he was just relaxed, and allowed me to be crazy. It completely blew my mind away. Brian Ford liked me. He was completely sweet about it. Completely. The night ended with a kiss on the forehead and a kiss on the hand. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.


So thats the story. We're pretty good at those:) yup.

The History

On Sunday, October 20, 1985, Brian Patrick was born to Janis and Robert Ford, in Pasadena, California. While a few months later on the opposite side of the country, Austyn Elizabeth was born to Jeannie and Jeffrey Bruenning, Wednesday, February 26, 1986 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A few years later, the Fords moved to CO while the Bruennings moved between Chicago and Appleton, WI. Both Brian and Austyn grew up to become really cool teenagers and Brian became good friends with Mr. Paul Hittle. Paul some how ended up heading to the North of England to study Bible at Capernwray Hall in 2005, while also, on the other side of the Mid-West, Austyn tagged along with her younger Cousin, Seth, to also study Bible at Capernwray that same year. Paul and Austyn decided to take a random trip down to London and see a show before the school year ended. Their trip to London allowed Austyn to meet Paul's mother, Saundra, who invited her to come visit while she was going to be going to school in Colorado. Austyn was planning to head to Colorado after Capernwray to complete the full year of school at Ravencrest – 45 minutes from where Paul’s family lives. While Paul headed to Austria, Austyn heading to Colorado and meet up with Paul’s family. And it didn’t take long for them to introduce her to Paul’s friends. While Brian was expecting to meet a guy (Austin) that first night, Austyn felt like she already knew all who she was meeting (those were long train rides to and from London).

The semester ended at Ravencrest and Austyn headed back home to Chicago. That summer (2006) Brian worked with a youth organization, Know Sweat, while Austyn headed back to Lake Geneva Youth Camp. The summer ended and Austyn was debating moving to CO or going to school at Brooks Institute of Photography. During those few months, Brian and Austyn had build a stronger friendship talking over the phone. The decision was finally made and Austyn was going to head to Brooks Institute of Photography to start school the first of November. And it just so happened that the weekend that she needed to get out to Cali was the same weekend Brian and his family, along with Paul, were going to a family vacation stop – Catalina Island. It worked out perfectly. In the middle of October, Austyn drove down to CO with a friend. The friend flew home, Austyn stayed in CO for a week and a half before loading up the car again, with Brian and Paul this time, and headed to California. During her time in CO though, it seemed that it was busy life for everyone, except for Brian. So he, feeling a little sad that Austyn was left alone during the day, would pick her up and they’d go take pictures, go look at cameras, eat really good food… and just talked. (this was the beginning of the turning point). The week and a half ended, and they loading up the car, picked Paul up from school, and headed to California.

The rid was crazy. Paul only drove for 3 hours and got 20 miles because of a terrible snow storm in Utah. Austyn couldn’t see anything when driving through Vegas – because of the amount of lights that filled the darkness at 3 in the morning (your eyes just don’t adjust). Finally, Brian drove the car into L.A. just after sunrise. They hopped on a boat and relaxed for 4 awesome days in Avalon, Catalina. It was beautiful there. Brian and Austyn spent most of their time sitting on the second story porch; Brian reading airplane books while Austyn painted on canvas. They would talk and laugh and share dreams. At that point Austyn knew she was falling for this kid… while Brian, may have already made up his mind.