Nicole & Johnie were married in an intimate ceremony on the banks of Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park on New Year’s Eve.
Johnie’s version of how we met:
I fell in love with Nicole when I first saw her name. I can recall the day that Nicole’s name appeared on my work schedule. Somehow, I knew, immediately, that she was my person. I was so excited about this person who was about to walk in, that I had to take a minute to collect myself; and I tried – in vain – to employ logic to remind myself that this was a perfect stranger whom I had never seen before. My heart knew to the contrary; it knew that while “Nicole Gardner” was just a name on a screen, here was a signal that I’d found my person in the endless kaleidoscope of the universe.
To answer Shakespeare’s question, *that* is what is in a name.
Nicole’s version of how we met:
Little did Johnie know, I had a small hand in orchestrating that first meeting. At the back-to-school meeting for theatre majors at the school where we met, I had taken notice of Johnie. When he introduced himself, in the sea of people, he was so charismatic and carefree; strangely philosophical, and entirely free of bullshit. Not to mention, incredibly cute. He was wonderful and intriguing, and I needed to know him. He ran the scene shop, and so I immediately (and emphatically) requested to work in the scene shop. My first day in that shop, we immediately hit it off, talking everything from Colorado craft beer to Harry Potter. He became my favorite person that day, and every day since then, he has made me happier than I ever imagined possible.
Our Couple Story
Nicole and Johnie met at Colorado State University, where Johnie is the scenic carpenter for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and Nicole had transferred in to finish her theatre degree. They immediately bonded over their love of theatre, Harry Potter, and craft beer. This fall will mark five years of being together. Since then, Nicole and Johnie have explored their love of the outdoors together; hiking, fishing, backpacking, theatre in the park, skiing and snowboarding, kayaking, picnicking, and camping; even turning the back of their Rav4 into a camper. They brew beer and can farmer’s market finds together, and adore living in Fort Collins with their three cats: Sabet, Luna, and Saroo.
Our Wedding Ceremony
Brian
Nicole and Johnie, I am so happy to be here and a part of your wedding. Such a beautiful bride and handsome groom. Marriage is more than just a legal union for two people. Marriage is a partnership where you journey side-by-side navigating life’s highs and lows. More than just love, a partnership takes respect, understanding, and teamwork to strengthen the bond you share. Ever since we met Johnie, I have watched this partnership you share grow strong. As you move forward, may your challenges become triumphs and all your joys be celebrated. We are so proud to have you both as a part of our family, and happy to welcome you, Johnie, into our particular brand of dysfunction. And now maybe someone will finally tell me Johnie’s last name.
Lauren
Johnie, I have seen my sister in so many ways, so many states of mind, and through so many emotions, but I have never seen her truly happy until she met you. I don’t need to say I am gaining a brother today because I know I gained one a long time ago. You have always supported me like family and I will forever be grateful for that. But if you think for one second I can’t kick your ass if you hurt her… think again. Nicole, there is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you… well, most of the time. We were never those normal young girls who dreamt about a dream wedding and ran around the house with a pillow case on our head, or as Ross would call it “the flying nun”. But we were always the most creative with our games and loved every minute of it. This wedding just proves how creative and spontaneous you have always been, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that I am able to be here to celebrate this with you and Johnie. You bring out the best in each other and before I finish, I kinda changed this quote a bit, but Nicole, you’ll know what it is. “And at last you’ve seen the light, and it’s like the fog has lifted, and it’s like the sky is new. It is warm, real, and bright, and the world has somehow shifted. And all at once, everything looks different, because now I see you.”
Rachelle
Nicole, I don’t think I can say anything that you haven’t heard me say before, but as we stand here on your wedding day I am overwhelmed with how lucky I am to be your mom. I didn’t know what this moment would look like, but now that we’re here on your wedding day, it all makes sense. This is so you — so you and Johnie. People talk about giving their daughters in marriage, but your dad and I know that only you can give yourself to someone, and you gave yourself to Johnie a long time ago. It’s been amazing watching the two of you grow together. At the same time, you’ll always be our daughter. You are still ours, and still Lauren’s sister, but you’ve given us a son and given Lauren a brother and what a gift that is. Johnie, I’m not exaggerating when I say we are thrilled that Nicole chose you. Your strength, your kindness, and all the interests you share with Nicole make you such a great match for her, and such a wonderful addition to our family. It’s no secret that life is hard and we all have our struggles, and I want the two of you to not only lean on each other, but remember you have a family and we will always be here for you. Never be afraid to reach out. The two of you are loved, and in honor of the love you have for each other, I want to read this quote from Les Miserables. “Love, that is the only thing that can occupy and fill eternity. Love participates of the soul itself. It is of the same nature. Like it, it is the divine spark; like it, it is incorruptible, indivisible, imperishable. It is a point of fire that exists within us, which is immortal and infinite, which nothing can confine, and which nothing can extinguish. We feel it burning even to the very marrow of our bones, and we see it beaming in the very depths of heaven … What a grand thing it is to be loved.”
Brian
Since you have pledged yourselves to one another and exchanged rings, I have one more question for each of you. Johnie, do you take Nicole as your partner, to love and support her when life is peaceful and when it is not; in times of leisure and in times of work; to honor her goals and dreams and help her fulfill them, and to build a life together? If so, say, “I do.”
Johnie
I do.
Brian
And Nicole, do you take Johnie as your partner in life, to love and support him when life is peaceful and when it is not; in times of leisure and in times of work; to honor his goals and dreams and help him fulfill them, and to build a life together? If so, say, “I do.”
Nicole
I do.
Brian
Since the two of you have promised each other your love and expressed your commitment, you can now make it official by signing your marriage certificate.
(They sign.)
And with that, by the power vested in me as your dad, I now declare that you are officially married. You may now share true love’s kiss.
And they lived happily ever after.
Nicole & Johnie 
Sign Our Guestbook