Love Story - Summer 2009

Bride love stories are an important part of every issue of Vermont Bride Magazine. Be sure to see our index of Bridal Love Stories online now.

Meghan (Conti) & Zachary Smith, August 16, 2008
at The Ponds, Bolton Valley Resort, Vermont - Page 1

HOW WE MET:

“From The Groom’s Perspective”
It began in Essex Junction, Vermont. Both 5th generation natives of Vermont, Meghan and I grew up in Essex and were graduates of Essex High School. I am three years her elder, so growing up we knew each other, but didn’t really hang out. My sister Libby and her were good friends growing up, so I only knew her as Libby’s cute little gymnast friend (3-time state champ mind you). It wasn’t until the summer of ’06 when Meghan and I connected again. I was working as an LPGA golf caddie that summer, and was home on a 2-week break between golf tournaments.

We ran into each other at an Essex Hornet gathering of sorts at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT. We chatted, exchanged numbers, and set up some time to hang out. Our first “hang out” consisted of painting her newly purchased townhouse. As it turns out, we were terrible painters so we decided to head to the Essex Reservoir to partake in some kayaking, or as many fellow Hornets would say, “just rez’ it”. Things went well, we made dinner plans for the evening in Burlington, and afterwards headed back to Nectar’s to meet up with friends for a nightcap. One thing led to another, we engaged in our first kiss, and called it a night. Thank God for Nectar’s!! A few days later I had to head back out on tour, so our relationship started out as a long distance one via cell phone.

We eventually made plans for Meghan to fly out so we could spend some time together on tour. First Chicago, then San Diego. From that we knew it was real, and the rest is history...

OUR ENGAGEMENT:

“From The Bride’s Perspective”
From our first kiss on, I knew that there was a strong connection between Zach and I. We both came from family oriented backgrounds and were raised on family values and both gained inner strength through our families and friends. We loved the outdoors, skiing in the winter, camping and being on the water in the summer. I knew that he was the one, and couldn’t wait for the day for him to ask me to marry him. Well, that day came August 25th, 2007 while on a camping trip at the gorgeous Hermit Island on Casco Bay in Maine.

Looking back, I had noticed he was a
little on edge all week while packing.

This edginess is not in Zach’s nature. Come to find out, he just wanted everything to be perfect. We had just returned from a few hours of kayaking the islands on a beautiful sunny summer day and were setting up camp, getting ready for a walk on the beach. I had packed a small backpack with wine, crackers and cheese, and we headed out to check out the sunset! Somewhere in the process, Zach had switched the red wine for champagne, so when I opened the backpack to see champagne, I thought something may be up. Before I could question it, he was down on one knee, asking me to be his wife!! I was so happy, in tears, and wanted to tell the world!! One problem. Our phones didn’t work on the island, so telling people had to wait. We just enjoyed each other, the sunset, and the champagne. It was truly perfect.

Continue Reading Meghan (Conti) and Zachary Smith Love Story