Celebrating Love Stories

It’s February, the month of love and today is Valentine’s Day.  And I think it’s important (perhaps more than ever) to celebrate all love.  I’m not a big Valentine’s day girl, but I love love.  It’s why I do what I do and what gets me excited every day.

Every person is different.  We have different backgrounds, cultures, religions, beliefs, goals, and hopes.  We also have similarities like a love of dogs, having overbearing parents, a salty sweet fixation or being a Harry Potter fan.  And when you find that someone who gets you and loves you for all of those things that make up who you are, it’s magical.  No matter how different or similar you are.

This is the month of love so I want to take the time to celebrate a few love stories.  When two people choose one another it’s both the differences and the similarities that you love.  And celebrating both in your wedding that makes it special.  Two people, two families, and two personalities coming together.

Szu-Han and Girish

Szu and Girish grew up in two different countries, her in Taiwan and him in India. Both in biotech, they met while interviewing for the same program. They became friends and then eventually more than friends.  In many ways they are opposites, he’s a packrat, she likes it clean.  He sees the big picture, she’s detail oriented.  But they compliment each other well and balance each other out.

He’s outgoing and gets along with everyone.  And she’s excitable and enjoys the simple things.  Together they are easy going homebodies who are also adventurous and love cooking and eating, travel, and their dog Rosie.  Their wedding was not only a joining of two people but two families and two cultures.  Simultaneously paying homage to traditions and celebrating their modern style, and creating a wedding that was fun, easy going and personalized.

(Photos by Bethany Carlson Photography)

Lindsay and Ben

Both lawyers, Lindsay and Ben met when he was interviewing her for a job at this firm. After the interview, she not only scored the job, but she met her true love and best friend.  She’s outgoing and friendly and he’s reserved and laid back, and together they are goofy, and playful and love to laugh.  They are each other’s best friend and love sports, watching TV and comfort food.

Lindsay is also Christian while Ben is Jewish.  They wanted to create their wedding their way, while still celebrating their respective beliefs.  It was important to them to bring their families and loves together and share that love with their guests in a comfortable, easy and meaningful way.

(Photos by Sabine Scherer Photography)

Michaela and Ghee

Michaela and Ghee met at a work conference.  They fell for each other and as they say, the rest is history.  He’s easy going and caring.  She’s sweet and up for anything.  Active people, they both love the water, nature and being outdoors.  And they love their families.

He’s Korean and his family is traditional.  She’s was born in Canada and has a bigger mixed family including a step family.  Their wedding was about not just combining their two cultures, but two different families.  In addition, it was also about celebrating their new family with their son all while keeping it easy, simple and beachy.

(Photos by What a Day! Photography)

Ashley and Noah

Ashley and Noah met and fell in love, but she lived in California and he lived in Hawaii. They had a challenge ahead of them, but they made it through 3 years of long distance with lots of plane tickets, phone calls, and air kisses.  Noah comes from a very small family and Ashley from a larger one, but both of them are very close to their families.  Ashley is so close with her parents, that Noah had them there when he proposed to Ashley because he knew she’d want to share the moment with them too.

While they are both family-oriented people, their styles are very different.  Like watching an episode of House Hunters, she’s more traditional and old world while he’s more modern and sleek.  Their wedding was a marriage of their distinct styles and personalities and shared love of family.

(Photos by Chrisman Studios)

These are just a few love stories, but every story is special.  Celebrate your love and your story and the fact that you’ve found someone who loves you for exactly who you are.  Because that is something to celebrate.  What’s your love story?  Share it with us in a comment below.