High Pointe Baptist Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

For the City Center

Reception

Our Wedding

It was January 9, a chilly Saturday. Cody was just coming back from a holiday trip and all I could think about was how excited I was to see him. We hadn't discussed what we would be doing on our date that afternoon, but he told me that we would be outside and I should wear my cowboy boots. I thought it was a little odd that I wasn't allowed to know what we were doing or where we were going, but Cody likes to surprise me sometimes, so I didn't think much of it. I don't like waiting to find out what surprises are, so I was rather occupied, trying to figure out what we would be doing. My little sister and her friend helped me scramble to get ready, making sure that my hair and makeup were done, I was wearing earrings, my nails were painted, etc. My curiosity about the date itself reached its height when we had been driving for what felt like an hour. He finally gave in and told me that we were going horseback riding. I was elated, since I hadn't been on a horse in a few years, so it didn't even occur to me that this would be a very special date.When we arrived, the next thing I focused on was the fact that it was very windy and cold, but I didn't bring a jacket, so all I had was my flannel shirt. I must say that Cody was very fortunate that there were so many things to distract me that day! Thankfully, they had an extra jacket and windbreaker for me to wear, but it was still quite frigid. Once we got started, I forgot the chill, except for in my hands, which rapidly grew numb. We rode through the hills and admired the gorgeous view; I was completely absorbed in what we were experiencing together. I was behind Cody, because my horse was afraid of his and refused to walk beside him, and he kept looking back and checking on me. I thought he must have so little faith in my riding skills to feel the need to ask that many times how I was doing.There were a few moments where I thought something like, "What if he proposed today? This would be a pretty cool way to ask!" Even though I would allow myself to entertain the thought for half a minute, I would convince myself that it wouldn't happen. "'What if's like that never happen, right? He's probably going to wait until right before I go back to school. Maybe when we go to the zoo. He knows how much I adore zoos. That's probably it." Those fleeting thoughts didn't greatly affect my perspective of the day. I was absolutely content and wonderfully satisfied with such a fun and unique date with the one I loved every moment with.Soon before our excursion was to end, our guide led us to a picturesque picnic area with wooden tables underneath a lovely big tree. "I guess we're gonna take some pictures," Cody said. I was glad we'd have documentation of the afternoon, since we didn't have many pictures together. We stood in front of the tree, took a few pictures, then Cody pulled away from me. As I turned to look at him, he reached into his coat pocket and knelt down. Sadly, but true to my rather sarcastic nature, my first thought was, "I'm glad he had a good reason for not giving me his coat!" As I looked at him, I could tell that he was either nervous or excited, because he was shifting a little and couldn't quite hold eye contact. He told me how much I meant to him and that it had been a pleasure and a joy to have me by his side. As he asked me to be his wife, he opened the black box; a bright little light shone onto the loveliest ring I have ever seen.

Hope Amanda & Cody

Hope Amanda & Cody

Photos