Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

Rehearsal

Welcome Brunch

Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour!

Rehearsal Dinner

After Party!

Bon Voyage Breakfast

Our Adventure Continues - Ceremony & Reception

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

We decided to each write "Our Story" without showing the other...enjoy!

Once upon a time...

In the last few weeks of 2018, I was looking to plan a trip with a friend, Jordan for January of 2019. We were dead set on going to Yucatan, Mexico…until we looked at flight prices that is (haha). With planning a quick trip to Mexico seeming less feasible, I thought, what about Big Bend National Park? I was living in Midland, TX, just a few hours drive from the park, and had always wanted to see what all the hype was about. We agreed on Big Bend, I booked an Airbnb in Terlingua, TX, packed a cooler full of food, got together some hiking gear, and we hit the road one day after work for a long weekend. 

On the morning of January 18th, 2019, we arrived at the trailhead to the Lost Mines Trail. I got out of the driver’s seat of my truck and had one foot up on the running board lacing up my hiking shoes when two women walked passed my truck, just a few feet from me. I remember locking eyes with this gorgeous woman and thinking to myself, “well, damn!” (haha). I proceeded to lace up, grab my backpack, and hit the trail with Jordan. About mid-way through this hike, there’s a breathtaking vista lookout point. As we approached, I said loudly to Jordan, “Hang on a minute, I want to stop to take a photo.” That woman – the same one I’d locked eyes with at the trailhead turned to me and said, “Don’t you mean a thousand?”

Don’t you mean a thousand…looking back now, the first words that Emily spoke to me tell me so much about her! Anyway, back to the story. After taking a few (not quite a thousand) photos, I returned to find Jordan chatting with Emily and Caitlyn, her good friend who she had been hiking with. If you know Jordan, you know that he could maintain an enthralling conversation with a brick wall. I thought to myself, “there goes this relaxing hike, guess I’ll have to small talk now.” Cynical? Yep…this trip came at a time when the thought of finding love or a partner sounded impossible to me. We introduced ourselves, got acquainted, and agreed to continue the hike together. We talked about a whole range of topics on the way up the mountain. When we reached the top, I, being my cynical self at the time, chose not to continue hiking with Emily and Caitlyn, and instead intentionally set Jordan and myself back on our hike alone. We continued with our day of exploring Big Bend.

The next day our schedule was jam packed. We were going to hike Santa Elena Canyon, drive the border to Marfa, TX for dinner, stopping to hike a trail along the way, and then go to the McDonald Observatory for the “Star Party.” Waking up in our Airbnb, an RV trailer, was miserable that morning. It was freezing! I started that day arguing to get Jordan out of bed. We had a jam-packed schedule, and I run a tight ship! Well…Jordan took his sweet time, and we began the day later than planned. We managed to hit everything on the list, and as we pulled into Marfa, TX, I found a spot on a corner near the restaurant we were destined for. As I got out of my truck, two women wrapped the corner and immediately locked eyes with me. Who were they, you ask? Emily and Caitlyn. While hiking the previous day, we made no mention of our plans, and hadn’t exchanged any contact information. Right there, in that moment, I opened my mind, trusted the universe, and chose to simply go with the flow. All plans melted away, and all walked around Marfa, had a lovely dinner, and proceeded to the Star Party. 

When the Star Party ended, it was time for Jordan and me to go home. The McDonald Observatory is in the middle of nowhere, and we literally stayed there until it closed talking about everything and anything. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want my conversation with Emily to end. Something about leaving just didn’t feel right. Nevertheless, we said our goodbyes, and began the several-hour drive back to Midland. The whole time, while Jordan slept, I sat there elated with a smile on my face that I couldn’t understand. I tried to think, to reason, to figure out what I was feeling. All I could think was that I wanted to get to know this girl that I’d just left and might never see again. When we got home, I texted her, and haven’t gone a single day since then without talking to her.

I drove back to Big Bend the next day to see her, I drove to Dallas the weekend after to see her, and few weeks later, I flew to Hawaii just to spend time with her. We explored Hawaiian Islands, scuba dove, rode in a helicopter, drove the road to Hana, traveled around Thailand, hiked many miles of beautiful trails, tried so many amazing foods, decided to design and build a house together, met each other’s families, and so much more! Even though we’ve only known each other for 12 months, I feel like I’ve known Emily my whole life. We’ve shared incredible adventures together. While living in Hawaii, I visited Emily a few times. On my last trip to the tropical paradise, I purchased a very special ring. On December 23rd, 2019, I asked Emily to continue our incredible adventure for a lifetime full of love, adventure, and abundance. I am beyond excited to journey through life with Emily by my side. This is only the start to our story…

Alex's Take:

When I think back on our love story, I think about the improbability of the whole situation. I was all set to move away to Hawaii forever and make a life there completely separate from what I’d known in Texas. My suitcase was packed, plane ticket purchased, car set for shipment across the ocean; I was practically already gone. But first, I had a girl’s trip with my best friend Caitlin. I wanted to show her Big Bend: an absolutely magical place where I used to go with my family and, as an adult, always lead me to introspection and enlightenment. 	Caitlin and I made the drive to the desert to spend an incredible night under the stars in a huge, clear bubble. We made a campfire, ate dinner at the one open restaurant in town – Starlight Theater, went on a horseback trail ride and just had a blast! It was a such a great time together bonding before I moved. On our second day, we decide to hike the Lost Mines Trail on the way down to the basin of Big Bend. We parked the car and noticed the bear box. I told Caitlin that last time I was there I encountered three bears! As we were discussing this and working towards the trail head, someone caught my eye. Actually, two someones. I saw two men getting out of a big white pick-up truck and one in particular was very attractive to me. I thought that perhaps I could setup Caitlin since I knew that I was not looking for a relationship. But we made eye contact for just a moment and I felt a giddy little thrill. 	We started out on the trail and were taking in so much beautiful scenery and laughing about running into wildlife. Caitlin and I stopped at a vista to take photos of the lovely expanse of mountains and sky. It was truly breathtaking. About this time, the two slowpokes from the truck caught up to us. One of the guys said, ‘I’m going to take a picture,’ and I in my sassiness said, ‘don’t you mean a thousand?’ he continued on and didn’t even acknowledge my remark, but his friend did. I made conversation with the other guy and enjoyed his witty responses. Shortly after our conversation, Caitlin and I continued on the trail. 	Then we met up with the two hikers again and this time we talked about using the All Trails app and I said, ‘okay, we can be friends,’ because this guy was obviously an adventurer. At this point, we started hiking together as a group of four. I couldn’t even tell you what all we had talked about, but I definitely remembered checking out my future fiancé’s butt as he was hiking in front of me. Before we reached the summit, the guys broke off a bit and hiked by themselves. I suggested to Caitlin that we should invite them to the Starlight Theater tonight for dinner because we wanted to return for their tasty food. However, when we reached the summit and found the two again, they were screaming at each other! They were literally in a yelling argument with each other! I thought to myself, ‘geez, dodged that bullet!’ and we left the trail. We didn’t exchange numbers and I just simply knew them as Jordan and Alex. 	That night Caitlin and I went to sleep in our epic bubble, just as the night before. About an hour after we went to sleep a nasty windstorm blew through the desert and our bubble began to shake violently. We were both startled awake by a convulsing bubble as the wind slapped it up and down. We called the property manager and tried to get another place to stay- no luck. We contemplated sleeping in the car but there was a deep uneasiness that told me we needed to leave. We packed up all of our stuff well after midnight and lugged it across the somewhat treacherous granite path to the car. We got in the car with the wind still howling and I turned to Caitlin and said, ‘I don’t know why but something tells me there is a reason we are leaving.’ We drove over an hour to the nearest hotel we could book. 	So the intrepid little explorers we are, Caitlin and I completely revamped our schedule for the day because it would require almost two hours back to the basin. We decided to explore the town of Marfa and take in some local culture. We perused the stores, found a place that sold Yerba Matte and walked around taking photos. We rounded a block and were heading towards the main road when we saw a big white pickup truck park. The two guys from the hike hopped out. Caitlin spotted them and said something adorable about running into them again. Alex said something like ‘you’ve gotta be shitting me,’ or something equally as chivalrous. 	We started walking around the city with them exploring shops and art galleries, then decided to get some food together. We found a nice restaurant where a wedding was taking place through the glass doors to the terrace. Our food came out and we talked about our lives. I remember deciding to be brutally honest with them. I told them I had just gotten out of my marriage the previous year. I told them I was completely redoing my life and moving to Hawaii. I remember the freedom of being vulnerable with these strangers. Alex told me about his involvement with MARC, which really piqued my interest. He wasn’t the typical guy. He was thoughtful and engaging. And then for the next kicker- Alex and Jordan were going to the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory, which Caitlin and I were also attending that evening. This time we did exchange phone numbers and started a group text message as we drove in tandem to the observatory. On our way to the party, Caitlin and I got pulled over because my paper license plate was flapping in the wind. This caused us to split up from them and we were worried with the lack of cell phone service that we wouldn’t be able to connect at the party. 	Even though it was literally pitch black out and there was a huge crowd, Caitlin spotted them right away. I was happy to sit next to Alex and even more happy for an excuse to sit very close to him because it was freezing outside! Caitlin went and got blankets from the car to wrap around us because it was literally the arctic tundra. I shared my blanket with Alex as we gazed up at the stars. I was giddy because our thighs were touching.We talked until the observatory closed and then begrudgingly parted ways. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but I just did not want to leave him. I didn’t want to be apart from him.Later that night Alex texted me about a song that we had discussed and struck up a conversation. Although I thought it wouldn’t happen, I told Alex that tomorrow Caitlin and I were going to hike the Window trail and invited him to join us even though he had just driven back to Midland. But he agreed to drive back down and meet us. I tried to play it cool, but I was very excited and anxious to see him again. 	Caitlin and I hiked the Ernst Tinaja Trail (one that Alex had recommended) and headed back to the basin to meet Alex. Unsurprisingly, we were running late, and I had no reception to call him. I was so worried that he was going to think we had stood him up or that he was going to give up and leave. We pulled up and I was scanning the parking lot for him. Found him! I went over and gave him a hug. We all geared up and set out on the trail. It was such a nice hike, perfectly breezy and we talked the whole way. We arrived at the Window a few minutes before sunset. I challenged the group, now including a friend we had made along the trail, to hike up the ridge to view the sunset. We all perched on the rocks and gazed across the desert at the golden setting sun. 	We hiked back up and ate dinner at the lodge. That night there was a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Wolf Moon on January 20th. We did our best to make the back of Alex’s truck a comfy viewing zone, but it was freezing! Caitlin, being the best wing woman of all time, left Alex and I to enjoy this completely magical moment. I think we both knew that it was something really special, once in a life-time special. That night we shared our first kiss. It was such a romantic whirlwind of an adventure and I had no idea where it would lead.We crossed half the continent together, chased each other back and forth across the ocean, surprised each other, drove each other crazy, dared to let ourselves fall deeply in love and finally agreed that we wanted to build our whole life together. I can say with certainty, my journey did not go according to plan and I am so thankful that I followed my heart. 	Alex, I promise you a life of adventure, abundance, and above all, love. Thank you for loving me better than my wildest dreams.										 XO, your future wife

Emily's Take:

Our Story

Overview

You can choose to fly into Denver (approx. 90mins. drive to Colorado Springs) or you can fly directly into Colorado Springs (Southwest just announced service beginning here!). Rideshare options are abundant, but a rental car would be ideal if you want to explore the surrounding areas! We plan to have a room block at the Garden of the Gods Resort for those of you interested in staying there. We will also get 1-2 other hotel recommendations nearby and post them here. There are plenty of cool Airbnb's in the area as well.

THERE ARE (3) WAYS TO MAKE RESERVATIONS IN OUR BLOCK:  1.) Phone Reservation: 1-800-923-8838 please reference the wedding block name or code 2.) Website: copy and paste following link into browser or click “website” below: https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=26923&Chain=10069&group=WISDOM21&arrive=10/21/2021  **The (2) options above only work if you are booking within the dates of the block**  3.) Email: reservations@gardenofthegodsresort.com please reference the wedding block name or code **This is if anyone is looking to make reservations outside of the dates of the block**  Wedding Block Name: Wisdom/Lambros Wedding Wedding Block Code: Wisdom21 Dates of the Wedding Block: Check-in 10/20/2021 and check-out 10/23/2021

Garden Of The  Gods Resort

Travel

Things to Do

Meet Caitlin! Emily and Caitlin met while working at Bank OZK and have remained steadfast friends across years, states and all of life’s ups & downs. Caitlin is brilliant, kind, generous, goofy and great travel partner. Abit of trivia about Caitlin- her dog is named after The Fox and The Hound.

Emily & Alex

Emily & Alex

Travel

Overview

Garden Of The Gods Resort