Our Story Before Niko
Wedding Highlight Video, by LK Film & Photo
Though not what we originally had in mind, our pre-vaccine wedding came together (with masks!) on the rainy 40 degree night of December 31, 2020. We had a whopping 12 guests in attendance, but we still got to dress up, eat cake, and dance. An added bonus, since the wedding was hosted at the home of Stephen’s brother in Dallas, was that Teddy could participate! This was one of the highlights of the evening. Down the aisle (or through the kitchen, rather) we marched to a special recording of the Beatles song, In My Life, created by our friends Claire Worrall and Noah Baudette. We recessed to another favorite, also recorded by Claire and Noah, This Will Be Our Year, by The Zombies. We streamed the ceremony on YouTube for loved ones to watch from home, and ate a candlelight dinner in the well-disguised garage. Here is the recording of the ceremony. Afterward, we stayed for two nights at The Joule Hotel in Dallas and then escaped to Austin for a few nights, where we had a private wine country tour!
Shortly after our wedding, we sold our adorable Tudor home and found a larger home nearby with lots more closets and a large basement for Amy’s mom to stay. Ginny became very ill in April 2021, and we lost her in June to leukemia (AML). Though life is hard without her in our lives, we are finding small ways each day to honor and remember her. We miss you Ginny.
We also share the happy news that we’re expecting a baby boy in February! Our lives are now filled with finishing up house projects, trying on baby names for size, and otherwise preparing for the coming of our son.
For those interested, the full range of wedding photos can be viewed here with the pin 3927.
Full Length Wedding Video, by LK Film & Photo
The Proposal
“Amelia Harrell, would you love to marry me?”
I embarrassed her, on stage, during a Crohn’s and Colitis fundraiser event she was organizing. It was great and she said yes.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to marry a girl wearing a pocket knife on the waistband of her pants?
How It All Began
Fall of 2016
“My hair looks good.” -Amy-
“I hope she knows I am not a toothpick person.” -Stephen-
“I think I might love this person.” -Amy-
“I think I might love this person.” -Stephen-
The very beginning of our relationship…..I was unsure about how the future would turn out between us, but I was hoping that she would find me to be at least half the quality as I found her to be. We re-connected through Facebook ten years after Centenary. I remembered that she was a very intriguing person who I never really knew well. I remembered she was someone with integrity and drive. I tried to gather as much information as possible through Facebook messages, but knew this would not suffice. I was visiting my cousin in Austin and set up a meet. Although there are is no photographic evidence, if there was, you would see I was a nervous wreck, but either she was just as nervous or I did pretty well because we ended up meeting the very next day. I called to ask her if she had an extra towel I could borrow because my cousin lived next to Barton Creek and said I wanted to swim with the salamanders. She did have an extra towel and she brought her own! My investigation of her personality and character showed that she was made from a high quality cloth and this cloth was made from silk with a bohemian design…. -Stephen-
We probably met at a fraternity function in or around 2003. I thought he was cute back then but we never really hung out. No doubt we were at the same swaps, formals, and theme parties for those years at Centenary but I have still yet to come across photographic evidence. At the time he was dating one of my best friends and ZTA little sister, Lizzie! Don’t worry, we’re still friends and she gives us her blessing, and I really have gratitude to her for breaking up with him, (sorry babe) otherwise it may not have worked out!
When we re-connected through Facebook messenger in early 2016, I had a good feeling about it. On our first date I was nervous, but could tell he was too. Things felt familiar from the beginning. He showed an interest in Teddy, and started visiting Austin more regularly. I remember thinking, what if this is it? I had been hurt by other relationships that seemed to have promise, and I didn’t want this one to end the same way.
We had lots of fun around Austin. Visiting Mount Bonnell, hiking the green belt, making a purchase together early on - a two-person kayak at a great price from REI. We went to movies at the Violet Crown, theater at the Vortex, Red Bud Isle dog park, and too many local eateries to name. A few months in we visited friends in Denver, and he would meet me in cities like NOLA where I was traveling for work.
-Amy-
And So It Began.
A snowball had been pushed down a hill, gaining speed and size. The core was good and strong. Too bad we live in Texas where it doesn’t snow or this analogy would make more sense. Anyway. THIS snowball wasn’t symmetrical in shape, but it had a solid center.
-Stephen-
Life Together Before Niko
In September of 2019 Amy and I bought our first house together in East Dallas. We couldn’t have found a better first spot, it was as unique as we are. We had a garage apartment for friends and family to visit, and a newly build workshop attached to the garage for all my projects. In December 2019, Miss Amelia Harrell became Dr. Amelia Harrell after completing her doctorate program. Amy continued to working for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and I as a nurse in the Parkland Hospital Emergency Room. In November 2020, Amy took a position with UNICEF USA as a Philanthropy Officer.
-Stephen-
Sometimes things fall into place. I keep pinching myself. Thinking back on life before Stephen, he has brought a lightheartedness to life that I was missing. He is always making me laugh. He reminds me that life isn’t so serious, and that breaking into song (usually operatic) should be a daily, if not hourly occurrence. He encourages me to follow my passions, and he is one of the most patient people I’ve ever met.
I try never to take days with Stephen for granted. His loving family welcomed my mom and I into their fold. I can’t wait to get to know more of his extended family members and friends.
-Amy-