Love Story Part 4

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Hair Q & A

This is the final installment of our love story! Read part ONE, part TWO and part THREE before this to get caught up! 

“I love you”, he said with my face cradled in his hands.

My heart was pounding and I had a million thoughts running through my head.

“This is a big deal! We haven’t known each other very long! I think I love him too, should I say it back?? What do I do!?!” were just a few of the millions of thoughts flooding my head as fast as my heart beat.

He quickly said, “I don’t want you to feel any pressure to reply, I just wanted to tell you how I feel.” I let the “love declaration” hang in the air and decided that I would wait until I was ready to say it back. Recalling this story may make it sound like it was awkward between us, but it truly felt more like he had just given me a gift and didn’t have any expectations in return. It was very sweet.

We continued dating, walking to class together, and spending as much time as possible together. It was as pure as young love and infatuation could possibly be. The excitement about spending time together was at level 10 and we enjoyed each other so much.

One day, while getting out of his car when we got back to my apartment, he said, “I love you!” and I replied, “I love you too!” as normal as it could ever possibly be. Then I gasped! I had been saving that phrase for a special moment but I just blurted it out like it was no big deal when I was getting out of his car.

I don’t think I was even looking at him when I said it.

I peeked my head back in the window, smiling and feeling a little sheepish, and said, “Well, there’s that. I love you too!”

He laughed and said, “I wouldn’t have wanted to hear that any other way, it sounded so natural.”

It was true, it was a very natural reaction based on how I felt and what I would have said anyway.

At this time it was about November, if my memory serves me, and we were just full on enjoying dating life. We loved each other, had so much fun together, and were beginning the process of introducing the other to our extended families.

We dated for over 2 years. He proposed in April of 2008, then we got married 13 months later in May of 2009. As anxious as we were about starting a life together when we were in the infatuation stage of dating, I think it was really valuable for us to have enough time to really get to know each other, see each other through a few different seasons of life, and have time to prepare for blending our lives in marriage.

I loved having a year to be engaged too! When else do you get to think about, talk about, and dream about your wedding day?! It was fun to relish in that excitement for a full year.

We opted to do a destination wedding at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina. We said our vows to each other in a quaint white chapel right on the river, with about 40 family members in the pews. It was simple, calm, and very much what we both wanted.

Our wedding was 10 years ago to this very day. In some ways it feels like I’ve been married to him for 1,000 years, and in other ways it feels like a minute. I’m so thankful to have him as my partner in life, parenting, business, and so much more.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading our love story! It was, possibly, the longest drawn-out story in history but I’m happy to say you are now completely caught up to speed 🙂 

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Kaitlyn B says · 05.15.19

So sweet! I love reading stories like this. Happy Anniversary Kate & Justin! 🙂

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Lauren says · 05.15.19

my heart has exploded!

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Ellen says · 05.15.19

Happy Anniversary!! What a great story. How did Justin propose??

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 05.15.19

You guys are the perfect couple. I really enjoyed reading your love story! 🙂

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Melissa says · 05.15.19

Happy Anniversary!! My husband and I share the same one!

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Sarah says · 05.15.19

What a beautiful story!! Thanks for writing it out. 🙂
Happy anniversary!! 🙂

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Karen Ward says · 05.15.19

So, so sweet! Happy anniversary!

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Kate says · 05.15.19

That was the sweetest thing ever! I have been loving reading this sweet sweet story! You guys are so precious together and have made such a lovely family. Thanks for sharing!!

-Kate
https://daysofkate.com/

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Charlotte says · 05.15.19

Such a sweet love story! Happy Anniversary to you both!

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Pam says · 05.15.19

Would love to see some of your wedding pictures!

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Mandy says · 05.15.19

But…how did he propose?!

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Laci says · 05.15.19

What a beautiful love story!

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Sherry says · 05.15.19

I was just wondering recently when you would add this installment to the story, it was worth the wait. What a sweet story, thanks for sharing, this glimpse into the past was fun. Happy Anniversary to you and Justin, and wishes for many more happy years together !

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Charity says · 05.15.19

I have loved every installment of the “Kate and Justin” story! Happy Anniversary to you both! May God continue to bless your family!

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Michelle C. says · 05.15.19

Loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing. Now you have to share about how you told him you were pregnant for the first time. 🙂

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Francine says · 05.15.19

Thanks for sharing the rest of the story! Happy Anniversary!

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stephanie says · 05.15.19

I loved reading this! It is so beautifully written and I would love to read more about your love story.

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Paula says · 05.15.19

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! You kept us in suspense! It brought back lovely memories and feelings of my own dating and engagement 25 years ago. All the best to you and Justin! God bless!

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Aleassa says · 05.15.19

This is so sweet, thank you for sharing. And happy anniversary! 💕☕️

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Shannon Mahaney says · 05.15.19

Loved this! I think it’s sweet he said his feelings for you and let you have that time to get to your own. My husband did the same thing and it meant so much to me. 🙂

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Kim says · 05.15.19

This is SO. SWEET! I love stories like this <3

Kim

http://trendkeeper.me .. best heels for every day!

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Cathy Beshore says · 05.15.19

I just had a chance to read this entire story, and I am in tears (joyful)! It is sooo sweet!! Thank you for sharing, and Happy Anniversary!!

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Evelyn Nunes says · 05.15.19

Loved reading it!
I always said I wanted a short engagement, then due to life circumstances and also a destination wedding in our home country I was engaged for 2 years. I really loved to plan stress free (most of the time) and really soak it in. That’s also when I found your blog, while looking for hair ideas!

In two months it’s our 7th anniversary!

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Ramona says · 05.15.19

Happy Anniversary! 🥂

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Carrie says · 05.15.19

Kate, I absolutely loved the story of you & Justin.
Thank you so much for sharing❤️

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Rebecca Best says · 05.15.19

Well now we need a wedding recap with pics please!!!!

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Katie Wilson says · 05.16.19

You are such a natural story teller. Beautiful love story!

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Lynn says · 05.17.19

Oh my goodness! Such a sweet story, and thank you for sharing – Happy anniversary to you two!

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Krystena says · 05.17.19

I feel like I’m reading a book and need to know part 4 now!!

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Joy says · 05.17.19

Such a sweet love story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Thank you for sharing! I pray that God will bless you with many happy years together!

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Geri Mitchell says · 05.18.19

♥️🌹🍷

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Stephanie says · 05.18.19

Happy Anniversary! Very sweet story.

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Jenn McLain says · 05.18.19

So sweet!

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Kaye Hermann says · 02.14.21

It was so nice to read your story. 42 years for my husband and I.

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Susan Schnitzler says · 05.18.19

Happy 10th Anniversary!!! Such a sweet story and thank you for sharing it with us. My husband and I will be married 20 years on May 29th…time has gone by so quickly, but yet I feels as if it has been forever. ❤️

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Tricia says · 07.22.19

Thank you for sharing your love story! It is a blessing to read and see the Lord’s hand in it. May He continue to shine on the Bryan family.

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Dawn says · 07.27.19

I very much loved reading your love story!! So sweet!

Did you ever do a post about your actual wedding day? I didn’t see one. I’d love to see some pictures. 🙂

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Kate says · 07.29.19

No I don’t believe I did post many details about it! Perhaps I will!

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Cassidy says · 01.20.20

I got married in that same perfect little chapel at Palmetto Bluff in October 2007. I don’t think a more perfect chapel exists!

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Beth says · 02.19.20

Beautiful story! I would love to see some wedding photos!

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Cristin says · 02.19.20

I would love to see photos from your wedding! Any to share? 💓

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Ranise says · 03.31.20

Pics, or it didn’t happen! 🙂

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Melissa says · 02.11.21

I loved reading your story! Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you made it long, it’s really, really sweet ❤️

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Lacy Smith says · 02.12.21

Sooo sweet Kate!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

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Rachel says · 12.31.21

So sweet! Thank you for sharing this w us! It didn’t feel drawn out at all. Loved reading it and you are a great story teller!

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Barbara Folan says · 12.31.21

Loved reading how your story began. Thank you for sharing.

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