Monday, December 12, 2011

1st Annual Christmas Newsletter

Wine Bottle Ryan used to propose
When thinking if we should write an annual Christmas letter, my first thought was that would be a lot of paper-so in true "green" fashion I'm turning to our blog to tell you about our crazy year!
To begin to understand the whirlwind of a year and a half we've had I'll start back in September 2010, where one night changed the course of our lives forever. Ryan took me to James Arthur Vineyard on what I thought was a Friday night date.  Overlooking the vineyard at a private gazebo we enjoyed some red wine. After a couple glasses, I noticed some writing on the inside of the label "Steph Will You Marry Me?"  I started screaming and Ryan got down on one knee and after saying a million nice things officially asked.  I of course said YES, cried and proceeded to dance around the gazebo by myself for a good 5 minutes.  For the rest of the night I proclaimed to complete strangers that we were engaged! It was perfect!
For the next year I was in total "planning mode" while our story continued to move forward.  

Engagement Photo

At Plymouth Church
Ryan continued his career as the Corporate Sales Manager at The Holiday Inn Downtown in Lincoln-and I was finishing up my 4th year as a television reporter for KLKN-TV; the ABC affiliate in Lincoln. We made lots of road trips back and forth to Des Moines-putting together the pieces of our big day, and after 13 months of careful planning-on October 15, 2011 we said "I Do" in front of around 250 of our friends and family.  The day was absolutely beautiful-we got married at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines-the same church my parents; Joe & Ginger got married at in 1981.  The ceremony was perfect-there were even a few mentions by the minister of us choosing 10-15-11 because it also was the bi-week for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ryan's favorite team! It made for some good laughs and a memorable ceremony!

First Dance: "I'll Be" by: Edwin McCain

After the ceremony we headed to the Holiday Inn in Des Moines to dance the night away. In true Costanzo tradition-pasta was served as the main dish along with homemade Italian cookies & delicious wedding cake.  As a unique favor-each 
guest walked away with caramel apples one of our very favorite treats! 

On the beach outside our resort
 After an amazing weekend-we headed to the beach-Cozumel, Mexico to be exact! We spent a week catching some sun, floating in the resorts lazy river, and just getting some much needed R&R. Ryan enjoyed the all-inclusive aspects of the resort while I enjoyed just lying on the beach with a fruity beverage! After an amazing week we headed back to reality and to Lincoln where some big changes were about to happen!
We began moving forward with our new married life in Lincoln-even started looking at homes in the area.  And only 1 month after we said I Do I got a phone call--there was a reporter opening in my hometown of Des Moines. It was the station I interned at in college and the obvious next step if I wanted to continue a career in television. So as I write this my bags are packed and I'll be moving back to Des Moines to start a new opportunity doing what I love-reporting the news, and lets face it getting paid to talk!!! I'll be working for WHO-TV, Channel 13-so all you in the area better tune in!  Ryan will stay back in Lincoln until he finds a great opportunity in Des Moines as well! He has a few strong leads but if anyone knows any sweet sales jobs-pass them along to us! Although being apart as newlyweds will be hard-we decided if we didn't take this leap of faith I might look back and regret not following my dream to report the news in my hometown--so our journey is taking us to Iowa -where a new chapter will begin! So as I write this "green" friendly Christmas newsletter-I can't help but see how truly blessed we are! We have amazing families who are supporting us-friends who are cheering us on-and each other-starting a new life together that has the promise of more adventure-more love and more laughter for years and years to come!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Love,
The Moore's




2 comments:

  1. Very nice. You definately have the touch in expressing yourself. Love your godparents.

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