The Big Day: March 10, 2007

The Drews

2008-04-30T13:31:00.001-05:00

The Drews
Originally uploaded by whatnext

One is lovely and to be taken seriously. The other is a complete goofball. Which is which?

Taken 04/29/2008

Wedding Pictures!

2008-03-24T19:16:00.007-05:00

In honor of our one-year anniversary, I thought I'd better finally get around to posting some more wedding photos. Click on a photo to see an enlargement, or to navigate through the album. Enjoy!

UPDATE: The slideshow now has all 361 photos from our wedding album!

On this Day, One Year Ago...

2008-03-10T18:45:00.000-05:00

I love you so much, Sara. You're my lifelong love. It has been a terrific first year together, and I pray for many more adventurous years to come.

Six-Month-O-Versary

2007-09-10T21:55:00.001-05:00

Wedding Day Kiss
Originally uploaded by whatnext

Today marks our sixth month of marriage! Sara and I both feel extremely blessed to be married, and we look forward to the next six months, six years, and six decades together! Whoo hoo! Thanks be to God for the blessing of marriage. And thanks, dear Father in Heaven, for the blessing you gave me in Sara, my beloved.

Wedding Stories: On I-90 Eastbound

2007-03-25T18:18:00.001-05:00

On I-90 Eastbound
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Rudy (my best man) and I drove to Sioux Falls the morning of the wedding to purchase some bread for the Lord's Supper later that day. We were not four miles away from the Luverne exit when his rental vehicle developed a flat tire.

Rudy immediately called the Avis roadside assistance number, and a flat-tire fixer was dispatched from nearby Hills, Minnesota. We began waiting.

While we were waiting, a patrol car pulled in behind us, lights a-flashin'. The officer got out of the car, and the following conversation ensued:

Officer: "So, what are you guys doing out here?"

The Groom (Me - Looking at the obviously flat tire): "My buddy here got a flat tire. We're waiting on some help."

Officer: "So, is someone coming?"

Me: "Uh, yes."

Rudy: "This is a rental car. I called their roadside assistance line, and they've sent a tow truck."

Officer: "From Luverne? Or Hills?"

Rudy: "Hills. I think it was [name of company]."

Officer: "Oh. Yeah, [name of company]. Okay."

Whereupon the officer backed his car up about 150 feet, and kept watch, lights a-flashin' the whole time.

In the state Minnesota, as in many states, when an officer of the law is parked on the shoulder with lights a-flashin', all traffic is supposed to move to the outside lane, thereby creating a safe-zone for the officer of the law as well as any people otherwise just hanging out on the side of the interstate freeway.

We waited. As we waited, cars sped by, dutifully moving into the outside lane. We were pleased that the officer performed this service.

Suddenly, however, someone didn't switch to the outside lane. Officer of the law was upset, and took off after the thoughtless driver.

We continued to wait. I said, "You know, weren't we safer when the officer was sitting there with his lights on?"

Rudy: "Yep."

Me: "Oh well."

I stayed a few minutes more, then had to take off to make further wedding preparations. Thankfully, the tow truck showed up soon after I left, and Rudy was on four wheels once again.

Copyright © 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Checked In

2007-03-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Checked In
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

We're staying at a sweet hotel in Midtown Manhattan that is designed on the Dewey Decimal system. This is the book laden second floor lounge, which features complimentary breakfast and a daily wine and cheese reception. Yum!

Copyright © 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Our Story - The Wedding Video

2007-03-11T17:38:00.001-05:00

Click To Play

This little movie was presented at our wedding reception. We wanted to give viewers a little taste of our upbringing and the paths that brought us to each other.

Thanks for watching!

It Is A Matter of Fact

2007-03-10T16:10:00.000-06:00

We are now

Married!

Wedding Haircut

2007-03-08T21:38:00.001-06:00

Wedding Haircut
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Moi getting my wedding haircut at Chuck's down on Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota.

Copyright © 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Parents at Work

2007-03-08T21:37:00.001-06:00

Parents at Work
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Don and Judy (Chris' parents) arrived earlier today and immeidately began helping us assemble the wedding bulletin for the ceremony.

Copyright © 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

We Made It

2007-03-07T21:43:00.000-06:00

Sara and I arrived in Luverne this afternoon, after an overnight delay in Denver, Colorado. We're already prepping wedding programs and reception stuff. No rest for the weary!

Bachelor Party 2007

2007-03-03T23:14:00.001-06:00

Click to Play

Some friends took me out on February 28, 2007, to celebrate my forthcoming non-bachelorhood. Whoo hoo! We went to the Dirty Dog on 6th Street here in Austin, Texas. We knew the drummer of the band through his wife, who is also a seminarian, and who appears in the video as a spectator.

Luverne 2007 Blizzard

2007-03-03T14:21:00.001-06:00

Luverne 2007 Blizzard
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

A week to go, and snow abounds in Luverne and across the state of Minnesota. You might want to dress warm!

© 2007 by Bill Stegemann

Required Honeymoon Attire

2007-02-21T16:06:00.001-06:00

Required Honeymoon Attire
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Sara is taking a class called "Entry to Ministry." For a period of one month, students are required to wear a clerical collar on a full-time basis. Naturally, our wedding and honeymoon falls within this month. I'll be purchasing my own collar in solidarity with my sweetie.

© 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Preview of Coming Attractions

2007-02-18T20:44:00.000-06:00

Sara and I are working feverishly on a video for the wedding reception. These pics are a taste of the visual splendor that awaits our guests!

Sara at Six Months?

Chris at Six Months

Latest Arrival

2007-02-16T12:54:00.001-06:00

Latest Arrival
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Sara's wedding ring arrived in the mail today. No peaking until the big day!

© 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Mom, Dad, and Sara

2007-02-15T21:00:00.001-06:00

Mom, Dad, and Sara
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Sara and her mother having fun at the public playground in Hills, Minnesota.

© 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

One Month to Go...

2007-02-10T00:12:00.000-06:00

Together at Oak Creek
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

...and counting. Woo hoo!

Sara and I self-posed at Oak Creek, just outside of Sedona, Arizona, during our recent ministry trip to Sun City.

© 2007 by Christopher D. Drew

Hotel Update

2007-01-30T16:16:00.000-06:00

For those traveling to Luverne for the wedding, we have an update on the accommodations available at the Comfort Inn. As of today, January 30, 2007, there are 18 rooms available. Remember that the best way to reserve a room is by calling the hotel directly. All of the necessary information you need can be found by clicking here.

Fitting Reflections

2007-01-02T20:54:00.000-06:00

Fitting Reflections
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Taken while waiting in a comfy chair whilst Sara has her second wedding dress fitting.

Photo © 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

Wedding Map and Directions

2006-12-29T14:36:00.000-06:00

The local map of Luverne with directions around the town:

Directions to First Presbyterian Church

(from I-90 East)

Turn left (north) onto US Hwy 75 and travel 1.7 miles.
Turn left onto Central Lane (church is visible from US-75).
Turn right onto Elmhurst Ave.
Park in the lots immediately north of the church.

Directions to Blue Mound Banquet Center
(from the church)

Turn right (south) onto US-75 and travel 1.4 miles.
Turn right (west) on Hatting Street (look for Minnwest Bank on corner).
The Blue Mound Banquet Center is one block away, at 401 W Hatting.

Reception begins with a social hour immediately following the wedding ceremony.

Family Christmas Fun...

2006-12-27T17:38:00.000-06:00

Family Christmas Fun...
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

...in Hills, Minnesota. We had Christmas dinner with several dozen of Sara's relatives. What a riot! I think I gained about twenty pounds just by seeing how much food there was.

Photo © 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

Important Notice for Out of Town Guests

2006-12-25T21:45:00.000-06:00

We've learned from a few of you that you may be having some difficulty with hotel reservations at the Comfort Inn in Luverne, MN. The hotel is conveniently located just north of Interstate 90 at the Luverne exit. The hotel contact information is:

Comfort Inn
801 South Kniss (also known as HWY 75)
Luverne, MN 56156
Phone: (507) 283-9488

We have been advised by the hotel manager that the best way of making a reservation is by calling the hotel directly. Please do not rely on the internet for information about this hotel. As of December 25, 2006, there are 37 of 44 rooms still available during the wedding weekend. If you continue to have difficulties, would you please let us know?

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in March!

UPDATE: As of January 30, 2007, there are still 18 rooms available for the evenings of March 8, 9, 10, and 11th!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T20:56:00.000-06:00

Sara and I are with her parents in Luverne, Minnesota, after spending over a week with my parents in Salt Lake City, Utah. May the blessing of Christ's peace be with you all.

Pasta Fun

2006-12-02T18:53:00.000-06:00

Pasta Fun
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

A good friend hosted Sara's wedding shower at her beautiful home in Austin, Texas.

© 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

Sworn In

2006-11-01T18:26:00.000-06:00

This is me swearing to the truthfulness of our marriage license application. Interestingly, only one of us had to attest.

Photo © 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

The Families Together

2006-10-20T22:46:00.000-05:00

The Families Together
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

We enjoyed pizza and fun at the local Pizza Ranch on Main Street, Luverne, MN.

© 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

Fiancée

2006-10-20T17:03:00.000-05:00

Fiancée
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

We started tasting wedding cake at a local Luverne, MN bakery. As a result of this visit, we're continuing our cake search.

© 2006 by Christopher D. Drew

Louisville, Kentucky

2006-10-19T17:40:00.000-05:00

Click To Play

Sara and I were blessed to attend the national Company of New Pastors meeting at Presbyterian Church (USA) world planetary headquarters in Louisville, KY. The Company is designed to give pastors a resource for fostering spiritual discplines, accountability, and mentorship. The images in this movie include the Ohio River, meetings of the Company, and the Louisville Slugger manufacturing plant and headquarters.

1 Corinthians 13

2006-08-28T10:21:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 13
Originally uploaded by mary_cabbie.

I selected this photo for the shadow the wedding ring makes. Look carefully.

1 Corinthians 13 is a beautiful text, to be sure, but it's frequently used without corresponding proclamation. As a result, most folks make almost Hollywood-esque romantic associations to the text, rather than hearing this as Paul's example of true Christian love.

The Return Flight View of Earth

2006-07-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

The Return Flight View of Earth
Originally uploaded by whatnext.

Taken during my FSD (Sioux Falls) to SLC (Salt Lake City) return flight. I like the blue sky.

Trip to Luverne

2006-07-04T16:04:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I made a trip up to visit Sara at her hometown of Luverne, Minnesota. Luverne's a great place, and I've really come to appreciate her town and the surrounding beautiful agricultural geography. While the trip was primarily designed to get us together, we took the opportunity to run a few wedding-related errands. We visited two photographers, registered at a local Main Street shop, visited our rehearsal dinner location (also on Main Street), visited the church (First Presbyterian of Luverne), as well as the reception center.

We also had a load of fun. I finally got the opportunity to visit the local Luverne drive-in. Sara and I watched "Click" and "Nacho Libre." Here are some pics from our fun weekend:

The Church

The Coffey Haus - Our rehearsal Dinner Location

Sara at the Stegemann Family Farm

Posing with Penguins in Sioux Falls

Baby Duck at the Falls

Smokin' at the Falls

My Love

Colors Not To Chose

2006-05-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Sara sent some pictures to me with a satirical note "recommending" these colors for our wedding attire:

No thanks, honey.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Color, Horrible

Fortunes Currently In My Wallet

2006-05-28T00:17:00.000-05:00

Technorati Tags: Engagement, Fortune, Fortune Cookie

Engagement Announcement [Updated]

2006-05-19T14:50:00.000-05:00

I have exciting news: On May 19, 2006 at about 2:50 pm (CDT) on the top of Mt. Bonnell overlooking the Colorado River, I asked my sweatheart if she would marry me.

Sara said "Yes!"

We're both very happy, and looking forward to a lifetime of adventure. Special thanks to Jessica who was instrumental in making this a surprise. I'm deeply grateful for the help!

The present wedding target date is March 10, 2007. Here are a few pictures to memorialize the event (click to enlarge):

The Proposal

The Kiss

The View

The Ring

A surprised fiancée

Very Happy Couple

[UPDATE: Here are a few more photos courtesy our friend Jessica.]

A little celebration followed

First engagement toast

Technorati Tags: Engagement, Announcement