Ernie Pyle VFW1120

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

The first time I met Chris was when I was at work dressed in my Allied uniform. He was goofy, entertaining, and flirting pretty hardcore. In all honesty, I didn't mind the flirting much! I always flirted back; you can't help it when you find a man attractive!&nbsp;So, time carries on, he is coming through my guard house, and so on. The crazy thing about it is I got pretty attached! One day, however, and he LOVES to tell this story, it was super busy in the guard house…like truck, after truck, after truck! And don't get me started on most of those drivers coming through flirting with me, yeesh it was so annoying! Because of that, I started saying "I have a boyfriend" and some of them backed off and it became word vomit! Chris pulls up, I can't remember exactly what he said but I spouted off "I have a boyfriend" before I even looked at who it was! &nbsp;I was so upset and embarrassed once I looked at who it was! Unfortunately, what I said couldn't be taken back at this point...so ashamed, I told him where he was dropping his trailer...man that stung because I really liked him, and I felt like I completely messed up my chances. As time progressed, he didn't show up for like 2 months and I was so upset, that I thought he was mad at me! &nbsp;One fateful day, however, he came back! I was so excited and happy that he did! So, I decided I would take my chances and ask for his number. I told him where to drop his trailer, and I waited. When he came back up to the outbound gate, I did it, I asked for his number! I was so nervous because I thought he would tell me no, but he didn't! But when he gave me his number, he asked me if my boyfriend (made up of course) and I were in an open relationship. I told him that I didn't actually have a boyfriend, and I just made that up to get people to leave me alone!&nbsp;He hasn't let me live it down since! But anyway, we texted, like we texted so much! (I think there were maybe a phone call or two?) I couldn't tell you how many times he thought I was ghosting him when in all actuality I was just busy. Whew, that was fun! &nbsp;Then we went on a date, a few dates...and well I asked him to be my boyfriend! Yes, me...I asked him to be MY boyfriend, crazy right? Anyone who knows me could tell you that was a feat when it comes to me for sure! &nbsp;Our anniversary is technically sometime in May, but he didn't officially call me his Girlfriend until June 23rd, 2021, so I made that our anniversary instead because at that point it felt more official. However, it was while we were in the hospital because he had been having some issues breathing when we first got together. &nbsp;Honestly, that is what we refer to as the cancer scare. I went to the hospital with him as support, because I was into this guy, so I wanted to support him as best as I could. I went to almost all of his appointments except for one, I don't really know what was going on to cause that, but I know I didn't make it to that one. And if you ask him, he will tell you that was when he knew I wasn't going anywhere. &nbsp;Two years into our relationship, we went on vacation together! Ending our vacation with a 2 (maybe 3 day) vacation in Kentucky. We came home on the 15th of July and took a nap, because we had plans for our families to meet at 3pm that day at the sunken gardens at Garfield Park.&nbsp;As awkward and anxiety inducing as that was, I felt like it went pretty well. The families were talking. All was going well. The next thing I knew, I was being handed flowers. As confusing as that was to me, I accepted them and said thank you. We sat down on the edge of this raised bed with very pretty flowers and posing for pictures, once again this was strange to me, but I just went with the flow.&nbsp;Next thing I knew, I saw him stand up and get down on one knee holding a ring, I was stunned! Like so stunned I didn't respond for what seemed like 5 minutes (although it was only a few seconds). He was proposing! I shook my head yes, absolutely speechless, and I cried. &nbsp;Yes, I know I should have known. But he kept saying he was never going to propose and that I would have to if I wanted to get married. So, I believed that I would actually have to propose. So, in my defense, I was not expecting it!&nbsp;And now here we are, in 2024 planning our wedding for October 2025!&nbsp;

Our Story

Photos

We will remember you.

Life is short, but it is also a beautiful thing. We have people that come into our lives that make things brighter. We are here to celebrate our union, but we also need to celebrate the people who shaped us and made an impact in our lives. So, I want to honor these wonderful and amazing people:

Sandra K Cartwright and Glen T Cartwright

12/04/1938 - 12/21/2005 and 09/25/1937-02/15/2025

Ruth L Smith

Mindy Burningham

Randall "Randy" Cartwright

Gone, but never forgotten. We all love you and miss you dearly.

In Loving Memory

Registry

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Things to Do

Briana & Christopher

Briana & Christopher

B&C

Wedding Day

12:00 PM–12:30 PM

Ceremony

Reception