Deer Creek Valley Ranch

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

How does any love story begin other than when two first meet? The first time that we met wasn’t when we met up for coffee a few years ago but back when we were in elementary school. Our families went to the same church and regularly met in a once a week church group. Our families became friends and as kids do, we all became friends running around the yard, jumping on trampolines, having water gun fights. Girls had cooties and we frequently teased and played pranks on each other even though we were friends, especially because we were friends! We switched churches and life moved on, but I never forgot my redheaded childhood friend. Fast forward twenty years and something stuck in my mind to catch up with Kristi and see where life had taken her. Something in her gave me rest and gave me butterflies. I just wanted to spend more and more time with her – getting to know her, letting her getting to know me, showing her my favorite place to gaze at the stars, going on hikes together, and so on. I found myself easily starting to fall for her. She must have been falling for me because the first time that we kissed, her heart skipped a beat. No really, her heart skipped a beat and she had open heart surgery several months later. Joking aside, she made a great recovery, and I am blessed to be with such a&nbsp;strong woman. Her attention to the important aspects of people’s lives, her laughter for the subtlety of situational humor, her smile, her love for Jesus, and through her introverted demeanor lies the heart of wild cat deeply observant and ready to pounce with passion and adventure – all things and many more that draw me to her and make me fall more in love with every passing day.

His Story

Little did I know that at around eight&nbsp;or nine&nbsp;years old I had met my future husband. Kirt and my family went to the same church together and became fast friends. Now our story doesn’t start out as one of those really cute childhood crush stories. It’s quite the opposite in fact. Kirt and my sister, who also happens to be the matron of honor had one of those innocent childhood crushes on each other. She would often torment him and pull pranks on him. Not in a mean way but how elementary age kids do. I would often aid in helping her torment him if the opportunity presented itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;As Kirt and I grew older our families had decided to go to different churches. Through that we had lost contact with each other.&nbsp;Many many years later however through the wonders of social media we re-connected. We had the classic catch up and see what each other has been up to through-the-years conversation. Then about two or three months after that conversation I got a message saying “would you like to go get coffee sometime?” Clearly, I said yes. July 15th, 2017 at Stella’s coffee shop is where we met. The coffee portion went so well that it turned into us having dinner. Which wasn’t originally planned. To this day, I can vividly remember that day like it was yesterday. Since that day I have never looked back. I’ve only grown more and more in love with him. I have never felt so loved, valued, and cherished by anyone else in my entire life. As each day passes, I only become more excited to become his wife!

Her Story

Our Story

Details

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

Reservations must be made by September 4th at 11:59PM Mountain Time to get the group rate. Reservations are first come, first serve; so please book as soon as you would like.The link provided will allow you to book directly for the nights of October 5th and 6th. If you would like to stay additional nights, please call the hotel directly and let them know that you are a part of the Tollefson McKenna Wedding group. The group rate is good for a total of 5 nights.

Courtyard by Marriott Denver Southwest/Littleton

Residence Inn by Marriott Denver Southwest/Littleton

Travel

Our favorite coffee in Denver; the coffee beans for the coffee bar were purchased from Sweet Bloom.&nbsp;Head in early though, they are only open from 7-1.

Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters

If you're looking for a drink while in town, be sure to speakeasy when you visit Golden.

Golden Moon Speak

Our favorite Italian restaurant in town. It's the place that we went to celebrate our engagement!

Abrusci's Fire & Vine

Stella's Gourmet Coffee and Such

After coffee at Stella's went so well, Kirt invited Kristi to Jerusalem Cafe on our first date. It's our favorite Mediterranean restaurant in Denver.

Jerusalem Restaurant

Great drive not far from the venue. It's got stellar views and great for stargazing.

Kirtland & Kristina

Kirtland & Kristina

Travel

Courtyard by Marriott Denver Southwest/Littleton

Residence Inn by Marriott Denver Southwest/Littleton