The Surprise of a Lifetime. Behind Our 10 Year Vow Renewal

June was a month I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

Looking back, it’s no wonder I’ve needed a little time to process it all.

In just one month, we celebrated our surprise 10-year vow renewal, my in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary, my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, Bentley’s birthday and my birthday (which we happen to share), Brett spent a week and a half in Ireland, then we celebrated our youngest graduating from Grade 8, and watched our oldest graduate from Grade 12.

It was a month filled with milestones, celebrations, and moments I’ll treasure forever. It was busy in the very best way.

Now that I’ve had a chance to catch my breath and digest everything June held, I’m so excited to finally start sharing more of the behind-the-scenes moments that led to our (second) big day.

If you were there, you know just how much emotion filled the room. If you weren’t, you’re about to find out how what everyone believed was my surprise birthday party became one of the most meaningful days of our lives.

Long story short, Brett and I carried a secret that almost no one knew.

Our friends and family were under the impression they were attending my surprise birthday party. From the invitations (that I actually designed and sent myself) to the conversations leading up to the event, everyone believed they were coming to celebrate another year of my life—and I happily played along every step of the way.

Little did they know, the surprise wasn’t for me.

It was for them.

Photos by Kate Kozar

As our guests arrived, they had no idea they were about to witness us renew our vows and celebrate ten incredible years of marriage surrounded by the people who have walked beside us through every chapter of our lives.

Looking back now, it’s funny to think about how many little white lies, hidden plans, and carefully timed conversations it took to pull everything off. There were so many moments when I wondered if someone would figure it out, but somehow the secret stayed safe until the very last reveal.

The idea for this celebration actually started over 10 years ago.

When Brett and I got married in 2016, I remember telling him that one day I wanted to throw another celebration for our 10-year anniversary—one where we could be surrounded by all of the people who had become part of our story. At the time, it was simply a dream.

Ten years later, that dream became reality.

Standing together as we renewed our vows, I realized this celebration wasn’t about recreating our wedding day.

It was about celebrating everything that has happened since.

The life we’ve built.

The family we’ve blended.

The friendships we’ve made.

The challenges we’ve overcome.

The adventures we’ve shared.

And the countless memories that have shaped us over the past decade.

This is only the beginning of the story.

Over the next little while, I’ll be sharing the people, the planning, the vendors, the dress, the little details, the surprises, and all of the behind-the-scenes moments that made this day so unforgettable. There are so many stories to tell, and I can’t wait to relive them with you.

Thank you to everyone who helped keep the secret, celebrated with us, and made this one of the most meaningful nights of our lives.

Stay tuned… we’re just getting started.