Love Story Winter 2009

Laura (Reynolds) & Brandon Bobisink

September 5th, 2008
Married: Saint Pius the Tenth Church, Essex Jct., VT
Reception: The Ponds at Bolton Valley

ABOUT US:

I moved to the Green Mountain state halfway through high school, and after graduation headed off to the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. I studied public health and medical anthropology, hope to pursue these interests in graduate school after my husband, Brandon, and I return from our Peace Corps assignment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Brandon studied psychology and economics in Cortland, New York, but actually grew up in Maui, Hawaii. I love to think about the forces that be that brought B and I together in Vermont.

HOW WE MET:

I never thought I would be the one to end up with my high school sweetheart, but Brandon and I met in psychology class in high school. In an unusually bold move, I offered to buy him coffee. Ecstatic and surprised that he said yes, we had our first date at Muddy Waters, our favorite coffee shop in the world. He pretended to like the tea I bought for him, but could barely finish half of it. And we talked until two in the morning.

HOW WE GOT ENGAGED:

On the warmest day of winter Vermont has seen in years, Brandon and I went to the reservoir, one of our favorite places to hike, swim, and camp. We hiked all the way around to Scout’s Point and walked out to enjoy the beautiful view. I was a bit giddy, and couldn't really sit still. Brandon sat down and pulled me down next to him, and we started talking about our lives, and what's next for us. After watching the sunset, I asked if he was ready to go, and he said yes. I stood up, but B stayed down, and got on one knee. He pulled the ring out of his pocket, and held it up to me, and said "Laura, I love you. Will you marry me?"

MOST MEMORABLE DETAILS:

Our wedding party was made up of some of our oldest and dearest friends, who lived all over the country. Most traveled in the week before the wedding, and we spent a whirlwind of a week enjoying Vermont.

I remember, as my mother and Megan, one of my maids of honor, helped me into my dress, how my heart felt when saw the antique music box Brandon had left for me as a surprise for my wedding day. Inside was a note, reading 'See you at the alter'. I remember the only thing I wanted to eat on that day was popcorn. I remember frantically brushing my teeth under my veil, while my aunt, manning her video camera, laughed uproariously. I remember Brandon’s groomsmen frantically running interference at St. Pius, making sure Brandon didn’t see me- even to the point of making him stand in the corner. I remember the beauty of my girls, my mother, and my father, and of my mother in law, Kym, singing during our wedding mass. I tried so hard not to laugh and cry during our ceremony, and succeeded at neither, especially during our vows we had written.

The most amazing thing about our wedding day was the feeling in the church and our reception. On that day, I was filled with a sense of total peace. After months of details (and admittedly, stress) and planning, I was final here, on the day of my wedding. I have never felt so full, and so happy. I was completely, totally joyous. Perhaps it was being surrounded by my family and friends, so many from far away, while I celebrated the most precious thing in my life with Brandon. Whatever the reason for such luck, I may not know. But I do know how intensely grateful I am for such a wonderful day; one that even though I had only a bite of my dinner, I can still remember in vivid detail.

PLANNING ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES & GROOMS:

I wasn’t asking for perfection, and even though my planning and my organization belayed such feelings, I just wanted the day to feel right. I was expecting (as so many who had been there before told me to) to have quirks and delays; funny stories in which to laugh at later. But I was amazed at the overwhelming perfection of the day. I can guarantee that your wedding will be perfect as well. I strongly recommend giving yourself as much time as you need to plan your wedding. You never want to regret decisions you made, or be unhappy with their outcome. Read everything you can get your hands on about weddings! I got some of my best and most personal tips that way. Let your bridesmaids pick their own dresses- keep a unifying theme or color. They will love you for letting them look like themselves- comfortable and beautiful. And just be happy. Try not to hound your fiancé with details, even Lord knows I did. Everything will be just as it should be.

Index of Love Stories at Vermont Bride Magazine