The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn

Wedding Day

Summer

#ohmyevans

The newlyweds are asking guests to please bring their favorite family recipe to the wedding  handwritten! 

Our Wedding

It all started the end of September 2019 when Zach came into the GC (a common space) at Oklahoma Baptist University while freshman Erica was playing cards with some of her friends. A friend introduced Zach to those who were playing cards and invited both groups of friends to go to Buffalo Wild Wings after Canterbury (a worship night at OBU). Zach and Erica sat across from each other and chatted the whole time.

How It All Started

Zach, after enjoying meeting Erica, prayed, "if this is supposed to work may I run into Erica more." The next morning both Zach and Erica were printing things off in the library, that afternoon Erica was playing walleyball and Zach was playing basketball in the RAWC. The following week Erica was invited to Zach's apartment to celebrate a friend's birthday, and they talked the entire time. The next day Zach invited Erica and some of her friends over for some leftover cake. Things started to progress a little bit further when Zach brought Erica no-bake cookies and told her he liked her and wanted to take her on a date. Towards the end of October Zach and Erica went to Tapatio for Mexican food on their first date.

The Next Few Weeks

On November 7, 2019 the boyfriend and girlfriend title was given. Zach and Erica went to Bricktown Brewery for lunch. After lunch they went to Zach's apartment for Erica to find a sweet surprise of flowers and cookies. The following week Zach's parents came to Shawnee to meet Erica. One weekend in early December, Erica went to Zach's home to watch the OU game and meet his sisters. Zach traveled to Colorado during Christmas break to meet Erica's family and to see mountains for the first time. In January, Zach went on a GO Trip, while Erica took a J-Term class. The two went with no communication for two weeks.

Started Dating

Oklahoma Baptist University announced on March 13, 2020 that students and faculty would not be returning to campus after spring break. Zach and Erica didn't know the next time they would see each other. They stayed connected through FaceTime. In June, Erica made a trip down to Oklahoma to visit. A few weeks later Zach came up to Colorado for a week. Throughout this time we calculated that we had spent more time long-distance than together. School started in early August, and Zach and Erica continued to find life was much better together.

COVID

Zach and Erica started to talk more about their future, whether they should get married while Erica is still in nursing school or wait until after graduation. Although no answer was going to be completely easy, both of them were ready to move forward. In May, after Zach graduated, Zach drove with Erica back to Colorado to ask for her Father's permission. Erica's dad gave the yes and kept reminding them that it's their story to write.

Next Steps

It was July 2021 and Zach was invited to attend the big Kovacik family reunion in Florida. Erica's family and Zach stayed in an Airbnb the first 2 days before heading to the resort with all the extended family. Those first few days were sweet as they swam in the rental house's pool, went to the Marlin's baseball game, and just relaxed. On Tuesday, Florida got a lot of rain from the hurricane. Zach asked Erica the day before they left for Florida if she would want to do a picnic with just the two of them on Tuesday night for dinner, and of course she said yes. Not wanting to get her hopes up too much, she kept telling herself that this was going to be the only alone time they would get on this trip and to just enjoy it. Erica's dad, Tom, started to grill steaks and she questioned if her parents knew they were going on a picnic. So, casually as Erica's mom, Casey, was in the kitchen making sweet potatoes and asparagus, Erica asked if it was okay that Zach and her had a picnic. Casey almost gave it away when she started to cry, but said yes. Zach and Erica got dressed and took their food to a nearby park that had a dock on a lake. They ate their dinner out on the dock and stood up to look out at the lake. Erica could tell that Zach was starting to get nervous when he started to shake. Zach, trying to waste time for her parents to be able to watch in the background, pointed to the different trees across the lake and asked, "which one is your favorite tree?" Erica knew something was up. Zach pulled out his phone and showed Erica a note from May 2019, before they had met, but about the same time Erica started to pray for her future husband. His note had said...1. Find the most beautiful, Christlike girl you can find.2. Date that girl.and Erica watched him type...3. Marry that girl. Zach got down on one knee and asked Erica to marry him! Erica's family came down to take pictures and the family that was playing at the playground yelled, "congratulations!!" The moment was sweet and simple just how Erica had wanted. They FaceTimed Zach's parents shortly after to share the exciting news. Zach and Erica also made a plan to stay off their phones the rest of the night and to just enjoy keeping a secret between the two of them and their families. The following day they started to tell close friends and extended family that they were engaged! Now here's too forever! #ohmyevans

Proposal

Our Story

Photos

Rachel is the younger sister of the bride. Growing up she was always known as "Rach" to Erica. You can find Rachel hunting, playing football or soccer, or jamming to music with dogs. Not sure what God has for her quite yet for the future, she is ready to take on the world. 

Rachel Kovacik

Rachel and Erica became best friends in Indiana in 4th grade. Living across the street from each other these two would run back and forth to each others houses frequently. When the bride moved to Colorado these two continued to stay close!

Rachel Law

Jordan and Erica met move in day at OBU. These two quickly became close friends as they entered into their freshman year. Jordan is a friend that is contagious to be around, her spunky spirit makes life fun!

Jordan Sonsel

Avery was there from the start of the relationship between Zach and Erica. Avery is a friend who knows how to listen and knows how to give advice. Her and her fiancé, Dakota, are Zach and Erica's favorite sushi double date couple. Avery will make you want to get on the dance floor, so I hope you are ready!

Avery Miller

Masey and Erica met welcome week at OBU. Being Residential Assistants together their sophomore year, they went through really hard and really good times together. Masey is a friend who is intentional, cares deeply for others, and knows how to encourage well! 

Masey White

Austin Iceberg, a.k.a. “Berg,” lived on the same hall as Zach for two years at OBU. Through their mutual love for the Lord and basketball, they cultivated a strong friendship. Austin and Zach even went to Nepal together and trekked the Himalayas for 13 days. Austin is also the biggest Lebron James fan you will ever meet!

Austin Iceberg

Joe is one of two cousins to Zach that are groomsmen. He is married to Kurstie, and they have a son named JT. Joe lives in the Tulsa area and is an Oklahoma State Cowboys and Atlanta Braves fan (pray for him!). He can also smoke a good ham among other things!

Joe Michela

Micah, Joe’s brother and the next cousin of Zach’s, is working on a degree in Zoology from Oklahoma State. Joe, Micah, and Zach always enjoyed getting together at family events growing up, especially the part where they got on a trampoline and tackled each other for hours. The key to Micah’s heart may just be a new gun!

Micah Michela

If you were wondering how Zach and Erica met, look no further than Jackson Winn. He will graduate from Oklahoma Baptist University less than a week before the wedding with a degree in marketing. Jackson, being from North Carolina, is an avid Duke Blue Devils fan.

Jackson Winn

Keegan and Zach shared an apartment during their senior year at OBU where they spent countless hours solving the world’s problems, talking theology, politics, and sports. Keegan is now in the beginning stages of a career in education and is a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners as well as Manchester City for professional soccer.

Keegan Caldwell

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Ridgeline Hotel-Estes Park, Ascend Hotel Collection

The Stanley Hotel

Silver Moon Inn

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Loveland Fort Collins

Airbnb

Vrbo

Places to Stay

Sombrero Stables

Mustang Mountain Coaster

go-carts, bumper boats, mini golf, and more!

Estes Park Ride-A-Kart

shopping, souvenirs, restaurants, taffy, fudge, etc.!

Downtown Estes Park

This drive will let you see the views of Colorado from the car. Depending on the weather the road may not be open all the way to the top, but you should be able to go up part of the way. There are stops along the mountain drive for you to park, get out, look around, and use the restroom. You will have to pay to enter the park. View the website for more information!

Trail Ridge Road Summit

EASY HIKEin Rocky Mountain National Park(will have to pay to enter the park)0.7 Mile LoopGain 49ft in Elevation

Bear Lake Trailhead

EASY HIKE(will have to pay to park)0.8 Mile Loop- Paved TrailGain 29ft in Elevationwe took some of our engagement pictures here :)

Lily Lake

EASY HIKE(will have to pay to park)1.6 Mile LoopGain 446ft in Elevation

Twin Owls and Lumpy Ridge Loop

MODERATE HIKE(will have to pay for parking)3.1 Miles Out and BackGain 994ft in Elevation

Gem Lake

MODERATE HIKEin Rocky Mountain National Park(will have to pay to enter park)3.6 Miles Out and BackGain 846ft in Elevation

Lake Haiyaha

HARD HIKEin Rocky Mountain National Park(will have to pay to enter the park)7.5 miles Out and BackGain 2,516ft in Elevationvery rocky, steep, hard hike but the view is BEAUTIFUL if you are up for it!!

Erica & Zach

Erica & Zach

Q + A

Did you block a set of rooms at a hotel?

Who should I contact if I have questions?

How much mountain driving will I have to drive?

How should I prepare for Colorado?

What's the altitude of Estes Park?