“Darling,
you are all I ever wanted love to be.”
– e.s.
I love my family, more than anything in the world. Anyone that knows a Smucker kid knows we have a pretty strong bond. So with that comes a lot of expectations on who gets brought into the squad.
I love my sisters, but it is my brother that I’ve ended up doing a lot of life with. Growing up, I was often treated as the brother he never had. High-school brought plenty of fights with him dating my friends and vice versa. We ended up going to the same college, and it was then that my brother became one of my closest friends.
To say I had high expectations for who my brother would date, let alone marry, is a gross understatement. I was confident that whoever he wanted to date, would have to get through me first.
Cue Kristen Stoltzfus.
She worked at my parents coffee shop, and at the encouragement of our little sister, Carson and Kristen ended up going on their first date. And truly, the rest is history. I feel like I saw my brother transform before my eyes. He has always been one of my favorite people, but when Kristen came into the picture he became this insanely quality human-being. She brings the very best out of every part of him. I’ve never seen my brother so happy or at ease with life. Never once did I doubt they were perfect for each other…and trust me, that is saying a lot. I have always been the difficult sibling, knowingly being too hard on my siblings significant others. But Kristen so seamlessly fit in with our family that I sorta forget how it was without her around.
While I hold very high-standards for my brother, I think he out-did himself with Kristen. She is refreshing and real, and anyone who knows her would attest to that. When you speak to her, she truly listens and embodies what a loyal friend should look like. She loves Jesus above all, and I could not be more grateful for that. And my brother simply adores her…
I’m so proud of all of my siblings, for the choices they have made and the people they have married (and are about to marry). I am so grateful to have been able to watch them evolve into the people they are. I’m so excited for what the future brings, and could NOT be more thrilled to welcome another sister (and ANOTHER Stoltzfus) to the crew.
Love you both, more than you know. The countdown until June 17 is ON. I will be handing the photo responsibilities over to Haley & Jenessa, and it is sure to be quite the celebration!
– T
