The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch

Rehearsal Dinner (INVITE ONLY - BRIDAL PARTY)

Wedding

Ceremony

Reception

After Party

Our Wedding

We technically met on Tinder—but our love story is so much more than a swipe.We first matched while he was working night shifts, and I didn’t take him too seriously. Meanwhile, he thought my workout videos were ..a little too confident (aka, “flaunty”), so he didn’t expect much either. Life went on—and we lost touch.A whole year later, after focusing on myself and living out my best “year 23,” I redownloaded Tinder just before my 24th birthday. Out of curiosity, I scrolled through my old inbox and clicked on his messages. While trying to scroll to the top, I accidentally liked the last message he sent... from a year ago.He immediately messaged back:“Did you really just like a message from a year ago?” 😅And just like that, the conversation started again—and this time, it never stopped.---First Meeting, First HomeOur first time meeting in person was at a local dog park—which ended up becoming extra special, since we later moved into our first apartment right across the street.He greeted my dogs before even saying hi to me, and I was already smitten. 🐾---Our First DateOur first official date was almost our last. He texted that he’d be late because he was playing Xbox with his boys... so naturally, I decided this was the last time I’d see him. 🙃To make it even, I showed up late too. But once we finally sat down, the night completely turned around. We talked for hours. Everything felt natural. He made me laugh, think, feel calm—and truly at home.---Falling in LoveWhen he met my family, I noticed something: he didn’t just sit back—he joined in. I’d catch him deep in conversation with them, even when I wasn’t nearby. That’s when I knew. He wasn’t just good with me—he fit into my world.And after that very first date, he told his friends:“I met this beautiful girl. I can’t wait to see her again. I found her.”---The ProposalAfter six amazing years together, he proposed in the most perfect way.It happened during our annual snowboarding trip in the North Carolina mountains—where I spent so many childhood vacations with my family. On Valentine’s Day, he told me we were going on a nature hike… and I believed him.At the top of the trail were all the people I love—my family, our dogs, and him, down on one knee. 💍Even though I had a feeling something magical was coming, I was completely surprised—and it was everything I ever dreamed of.---What We Love About Each OtherWhat I love about him:I love how big his heart is—how endlessly kind, steady, and forgiving he is. He’d give the shirt off his back for the people he loves without a second thought. His selflessness is something I admire every single day.He is my peace. When I spiral, he grounds me. When life gets overwhelming, he’s the calm in the chaos. He’s my rock, my strength, my steady hand.With him, I feel stronger. And no matter what life throws our way, I know we’ll face it together—always.What he loves about me:“I love how much you care about others, and your way of wanting to make everyone feel special. The effort you put in and your attention to detail to make everything just that much better.I love the way you light up when you’re excited about something.I love that you challenge and support me.I love that no matter where I am in this world, when you’re with me, I feel like I’m at home—and I love who I am when I’m with you.”---------Náš príbeh láskyTechnicky sme sa stretli na Tindri — ale náš príbeh je oveľa viac než len jeden obyčajný „swipe“.Prvýkrát sme sa spojili, keď pracoval nočné smeny, a ja som ho brala s rezervou. On si zase myslel, že moje videá z cvičenia sú trochu... príliš sebavedomé (inak povedané „vystatovačné“). Ani jeden z nás nečakal, že by z toho mohlo vzniknúť niečo viac. A tak sme sa na čas stratili.O rok neskôr, keď som prežívala svoje najlepšie „dvadsaťtrojkové“ obdobie, som si pred 24. narodeninami zo zvedavosti znovu stiahla Tinder. Prechádzala som si staré správy — a narazila som na tie od neho. Keď som sa snažila posunúť na začiatok konverzácie, omylom som „lajkla“ jeho poslednú správu... poslanú pred rokom.O chvíľu mi prišla odpoveď:„Ty si práve lajkla správu spred roka?“ 😅A tak sa rozhovor začal znova — a tentoraz sa už nikdy neskončil.---Prvé stretnutie, prvý domovNaše prvé stretnutie bolo v psom parku — mieste, ktoré sa neskôr stalo ešte výnimočnejším, pretože sme si našli náš prvý spoločný byt priamo oproti nemu.Prišiel ku mne, no najprv sa pozdravil s mojimi psami. V tom momente som vedela, že je iný. 🐾---Prvé randeNaše prvé oficiálne rande bolo takmer aj posledné. Napísal mi, že mešká, pretože hrá Xbox s kamarátmi… a ja som si v duchu povedala, že ho už asi nikdy neuvidím. 🙃Aby to bolo férové, aj ja som prišla neskoro. Ale keď sme si konečne sadli, všetko sa zmenilo. Rozprávali sme sa celé hodiny. Smiali sme sa, delili sa o myšlienky, ticho bolo príjemné. Cítila som pokoj — ako doma.---ZamilovanieKeď stretol moju rodinu, všimla som si niečo krásne. Neostal bokom. Zapojil sa do rozhovorov, smial sa s nimi, rozumel si s nimi, aj keď som nebola nablízku. Vtedy som vedela. Nebol len mužom, ktorého som milovala — stal sa súčasťou môjho sveta.A po našom prvom rande povedal svojim priateľom:„Stretol som nádherné dievča. Nemôžem sa dočkať, kedy ju uvidím znova. Našiel som ju.“---ZásnubyPo šiestich nádherných rokoch ma požiadal o ruku tým najdokonalejším spôsobom.Bolo to počas nášho každoročného snowboardového výletu v horách Severnej Karolíny — tam, kde som ako dieťa trávila prázdniny s rodinou. Na Valentína mi povedal, že ideme na turistiku… a ja som mu verila.Na vrchole chodníka ma čakali všetci, ktorých milujem — moja rodina, naši psi… a on, kľačiaci na jednom kolene. 💍Aj keď som tušila, že sa chystá niečo výnimočné, ten okamih ma úplne prekvapil. Bol dokonalý. Bol náš. Bol presne taký, ako som si vysnívala.---Čo na sebe milujemeČo milujem na ňom:Milujem, aké veľké má srdce — aký je nekonečne láskavý, pokojný a odpúšťajúci. Dal by všetko pre tých, ktorých má rád. Jeho nezištnosť obdivujem každý deň.Je môj pokoj uprostred chaosu. Keď sa svet rozpadá, on je ten, kto ma drží. Je mojou istotou, mojou oporou, mojím domovom.S ním som silnejšia. A nech už život prinesie čokoľvek, viem, že to zvládneme — spolu, navždy.Čo miluje on na mne:„Milujem, ako veľmi sa staráš o druhých — ako sa vždy snažíš, aby sa každý cítil výnimočne. Obdivujem tvoju snahu a tvoj cit pre detail, vďaka ktorému je všetko o kúsok krajšie.Milujem, ako sa rozžiariš, keď ťa niečo nadchne.Milujem, že ma dokážeš podporiť aj vyzvať, aby som bol lepší.Milujem, že nech som kdekoľvek na svete, keď si so mnou, cítim sa ako doma.A milujem človeka, ktorým sa stávam, keď som s tebou.“

From a Swipe to Forever

Our Modern Love Story

Photos

Lauren Oliver

Chase Robison

Simona Sipos

Christopher Roberts

Jana McDonald

Erik Kichura

Angeline Robison

Brad Taylor

Tiffany Murdzova

Angela Roberts

Matt Taylor

Peyton Roberts

Jeremy Chambers

McKinley Roberts

Michael Murphy

Wedding Party

Q + A

✨ Travel &amp; Lodging InformationPrimary Hotel (Closest to After Party + Shuttle Pick-up/Drop-off Location)Marble Waters Hotel &amp; Suites – Trademark by Wyndham 📍 45 Kernan Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32225 📞 (904) 337-1700It’s closest to the after-party and will be the shuttle pick-up/drop-off pointMarble Waters isn't the fanciest hotel in Jacksonville, but it's the closest option to our after party. If you're mainly looking for a place to sleep, shower, and hop on the shuttle, this location is the most convenient choice. If you are looking for better amenities and service, we would have to suggest one of the other options. YOU CAN PARK AT MARBLE WATERS TO TAKE THE SHUTTLE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT STAYING THERE - CARPOOLING ENCOURAGED Distances:Airport → Marble Waters: 24 miles (30 mins)Marble Waters → Wedding Venue: 36 miles (45 mins)Marble Waters → After-Party (Kichura House): 1.9 miles (6 mins) ✨ Additional Hotel OptionsHampton Inn Jacksonville East Regency Square📍 1021 Hospitality Ln, Jacksonville, FL 32225📞 (904) 722-8881Distances:Airport → Hampton Inn: 16 miles (18 mins)Hampton Inn → Wedding Venue: 33 miles (42 mins)Hampton Inn → After-Party: 6 miles (13 mins) Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville I-295 / East Beltway📍 9815 Lantern St, Jacksonville, FL 32225📞 (904) 247-6782Distances:Airport → Courtyard Marriott: 16 miles (18 mins)Courtyard → Wedding Venue: 33 miles (42 mins)Courtyard → After-Party: 6 miles (13 mins)✨ Venue &amp; After-Party DistancesVenue → After-Party (Kichura House): 35 miles (45 mins)

Hampton Inn Jacksonville East Regency Square → The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch: 33 mils (42 mins)Hampton Inn Jacksonville East Regency Square → After-Party (Kichura House): 6 miles (13 mins)

Hampton Inn Jacksonville East Regency Square

Marble Waters Hotel → The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch: 36 miles (45 mins)Marble Waters Hotel → After-Party (Kichura House): 1.9 miles (6 mins)

Marble Waters Hotel and Suites, Trademark by Wyndham

Marriott Jacksonville I-295 → After-Party: 6 miles (13 mins)Marriott Jacksonville I-295 → The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch: 33 miles (42 mins)

Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville I-295/East Beltway

Travel

After-Party: 📍 12293 Casheros Cove Dr S, Jacksonville, FL 32225 🕚 Starts at 11:30 PMTransportation:Shuttle departs The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch at 10:45 PM sharpStops at Marble Waters Hotel &amp; Suites for a quick 20-minute change breakThen drops guests off at the after-party locationPlease RSVP if you’ll use the shuttle so we can book the right size bus!

After-Party

Things to Do

Registry

cindysteven.com

Cindy + Steven

Cindy + Steven

Photos