Cindy and Patrick met on Facebook. Well, kind of.
Patrick's family and our family have many, many connections.
Cindy and Pat went to the same high school and had many of the same friends.
Pat worked for my brother in law up in Minoqua when he was a teen.
Our twins, Janice and Janet, were friends with Pat's sister Tracy.
One day Pat started writing witty comments on Cindy's Facebook wall.
Slowly they became friends and eventually they met in real life.
And once they met in real life.
They both knew it was something very special.
The real deal.
The distance between Columbia and Wausau was just too much so Cindy moved to Wausau.
Last night in Wausau, during Pat's family's annual Christmas gathering, they surprised the guests with a wedding.
We knew and my sister Nancy knew...and Cindy's sons knew. They had to get us all there some how.
But, Oh! how much fun they had trying to keep it all quiet and get everyone there on time.
(The pastor could come at 6:00 and only stay for a short time.)
Yes. I knit these for Cindy. A long time ago.
This was Cindy's most important detail. Her wedding cake.
She saw something like this on Pinterest.
The service was beautiful. Wonderful verses from the Bible.
A dear pastor who knows Pat and Cindy's story.
And so much love.
God bless you Pat and Cindy!
...as long as you both shall live.
love
donna
How romantic! Weddings and Christmastime are two of my favorites. Congratulations to Cindy and Pat and may God bless them and their marriage always!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful, Donna. Thanks so much for sharing this story. I bet there was plenty of laughter and happy tears.
Mary Z
JUST sat down - ahhh amore! Donna, these are gorgeous photos. Really wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the cake looks AH-mazing :-) Thanks for posting and sharing with us.
Such wonderful photos! Thank you, it's almost as if I was there. I bet it was a wonderful evening. I'm so happy for them. I loved how you caught their personalities so well xoxox
ReplyDeleteHallmark movie wonderful! You captured their story perfectly with your beautiful photos, Donna! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Cindy and Pat!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Donna. What an intimate and happy experience for you all. The cake is beautiful. And those little reindeer in the ring picture are adorable. Great pics that exude joy!
Sarah P. from Iowa
I love the rings shot too, Sarah P :-)
DeleteAdding my best wishes for Cindy and Pat !
What a beautiful heartwarming post. God bless them. Thank you so much for sharing such a happy occasion!
ReplyDeleteSandy R
I love surprises! A surprise wedding is a wonderful idea! I know you all are so happy for them. Congratulations to Cindy and Pat!
ReplyDeleteLove this post so much! Congratulations to your sister and her husband and many blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat joy to have a Christmas Wedding….so happy for your family Donna and especially Cindy and Pat and their family together. Isn't Cindy the sister who looks for hearts? I kept looking for a heart in the pictures and finally I saw one in the outline of her scarf where they are kissing and the picture afterwards, too. Lovely wedding outfits and flowers, beautiful photographs, sweet reindeer/ring shot, and oh that wedding cake. Just such a joy-filled time and back story. God's blessings on everyone I do so pray. Thanks for sharing that joy with us. love and prayers, jep
ReplyDeleteJep,
DeleteOn the floor, behind Cindy you will see dark stones. Those stones are heart shaped.
Cheers!
Deletejep
Sweet.
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns of your wedding day, Cindy! Oh, your pictures are .... enchanting! The rings...that cake! Cindy's happy smile. Such joy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun Christmas surprise.
Love,
Di
The love on your sister's face in the photo during their ceremony indoors- so beautiful. Thank you for sharing such a lovely and intimate family event. And the cake! I love it. May Cindy and Patrick have many, many years of joy together and God's blessing.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Z.
Congratulations to Cindy and Pat! I think this is the first time I've seen a bride in slacks...and she looks radiant! The idea of a surprise wedding sounds magical!
ReplyDeleteHOW did you get such clear pictures in the low light? I stand silent in respect to your skill.
I love the winter-themed wedding cake.
And Cindy's sons: replicas of your dad. W.o.w.
Thank you to Cindy and Pat for letting us share in their joy. It's infectious!
I thought the same about Cindy's sons. I LOVE seeing my parents in my children. They live ON!
DeleteDi
The one on the right. Holy cats.
DeleteSo sweet!! Getting married in your bare feet with the people you love most surrounding you...can anything beat it? Congratulations and best wishes!!
ReplyDeleteAl and I are so joyfully reading this post together! HOW fun. What a perfect wedding. I love that she was barefoot. I love YOUR photos of them. OH Donna, Im sure your sis was there watching too…did you feel Sue's presence?????? I know you did.
ReplyDeleteThe cake is amazing! AL and I loved it.
(AL's home for a week WHEEEEEEEE!)
So beautiful. The people. The story. The photographs. Thank you for sharing. Love you.
ReplyDeleteThe bokeh is to die for in a few of those. Wow.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the bride and groom. LOVE the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous! They just glow happiness.:). And beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteJenny (Braun) Snyder
Just lovely...
ReplyDeleteKristi in LV
Wonderful pictures, capturing a magical moment in a beautiful love affair. Can't wait for more moments in the happily ever after!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mr and Mrs Stone! Wishing you many years of wedded bliss!
xoxoxox,
Rhonda
CoMo
Lovely, just lovely. Thank you for sharing, Patty
ReplyDeleteTears in my eyes ... I always tear up at weddings. What a BEAUTIFUL post ... thank you for sharing that part of your family with us. God bless them!
ReplyDeleteA big sigh....simply beautiful on so many levels. Best wishes to your sister and brother-in-law!
ReplyDeleteDonna, as usual, your photos are simply stunning! Jim and I are so happy for Cindy and Pat. What a great tribute to their story! This blog entry would make a great personalized book!
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful Donna, Thank you! It really was magical and romantic and FUN trying to keep the surprise!! Thank you for coming up and being a part of our special surprise wedding!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
CGS :D
sis' cindy :)
Donna, do you know the Pastor's name?
ReplyDeleteDoes he look familiar? I'll ask Cindy.
DeleteCraig Swenson
DeleteSt. Andrew Lutheran Church in
Rib Mountain.
I cry at everything lately but I love the tears of joy I have right now. Ok, Donna? This made my day reading this. I don't know you in real life, but have been reading you for so long that it almost feels like I do know you, and your family. Beautiful images here! And hey, I have those same boots that Cindy does. Mine are Sorel's and I've had 'em for years and years and . . . love that cake. And everything about this wedding. Gives me hope for the future, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate.
DeleteI feel close to you too.
I'm glad Cindy and Pat's wedding could bring smiles and warm feeling of love and hope to you and to many others.
Happy New Year dear friend.
Congratulations to Cindy and her new husband. I love the casual look of everything. What a fun surprise for everyone!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this! A smaller, more intimate wedding but a meaningful and beautiful one nonetheless, and I love their scarves! So sweet.
ReplyDelete