We cannot wait to celebrate with ALL our family and friends at our "Desserts & Dancing" celebration on June 4th, 2021!

Though COVID changed our plans dramatically, we are thankful God had a different plan for us. On June 6th, 2020, Jason and I were married at our home. It was the most perfect, intimate, beautiful ceremony and day!

We are now Mr. & Mrs. Bedard!

We officially moved into the house my grandpa Stafford built in 1969. We love our home and love making it ours each and every day. It has been one of our favorite adventures so far!

Jason always calls me “the investigator.” But, I will say that I did NOT have a clue about this one. On a friends trip to Texas, Jason proposed to me in Waco at the Magnolia Farms. It truly was perfect!

While in Texas, TJ & Beth Anderson, Nick & Natalie Crawford, and Jason & I visited New Braunfels, ate at Gristmill, danced at Gruene Hall, tubed the river, walked around the San Antonio Riverwalk, had fun at Top Golf, and played many games, but one of our favorite visits was to Magnolia Farms!

We were in the beautiful garden areas of Magnolia Farms and "operation engagement" was underway. According to Jason's plan, we took a group photo and then individual couple photos. When it was our turn, everyone had their phones out. I asked which camera to look at and continued to smile, still clueless. After the photo, Jason said, "Now let's take a fun one." I responded, "That was fun... What else do you want to do?" Jason reached into his pocket, grabbed a folded piece of paper, and gave it to me. It was at that moment I said, "Oh gosh... Oh no," put my sun glasses on, and attempted to read the paper. The note had 3 photos of our "dating proposal" (UNI campanile, book, and yellow rose) and then 2 new photos (outline of Texas and a ring). I remember looking at the images and trying to read the few sentences at the bottom of the page, but I couldn't. I didn't know if I should read the paper or look at him. He dropped to his knee, and I recall hearing, "Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" We hugged and embraced the moment... each other... the beautiful place... our friends... applause from the crowd around us...

I then made many calls and sent texts to family and friends. We also laughed and talked about everything leading up to the moment including how Jason asked my dad (and mom) for my hand: He had to confess his love for the Chiefs. That sounds about right... Go Chiefs!

It was a beautiful, wonderful, perfect day.

Jason planned for us to go on a walk around Cedar Falls. We ended up walking on-campus at the University of Northern Iowa and stopped at the campanile where he gave me a book (he knew I loved reading). On page 33 (my favorite number), he had a yellow rose and a note asking me to be his girlfriend.

Funny story: The day after our walk, I flew out to Vegas with family to celebrate Matt & Liberty’s wedding. I woke up in the hotel to my cousin Kelli jokingly asking me, “Kayla, do you have something to tell us?” Apparently, Jason just couldn’t wait to make it Facebook-official and posted that we were dating on social media before I told anyone. I guess, it was such an exciting thing for him!

We both grew up in Dunkerton; of course, we knew of each other. We both enjoyed sports and had some overlapping friends. But, truly, we didn’t talk much. It all really began well after we both graduated. In the summer of 2017, Justin and I were putting a sand volleyball team together and happened to have Jason join.

As an important side note: Justin, Jason, Shelby Dove, and I were 4-person sand VB champions that summer. Woohoo! Anyway, credit sand volleyball for initiating our talking.

Then, Corey Joens had a work trip to St. Louis. A group of friends (Corey, Shane Gamerdinger, Jason, and I) decided to make an extended weekend out of it. We went to a Cardinals game, enjoyed time at the Budweiser Brewery, and explored the city. It was on this trip that we knew feelings were mutual.