Stephen & Nikky

Our Story

Peter Breinholt Concert - May 4, 2012

Nikky had been looking for someone to go to a Snow Patrol concert and decided that there must be some way to match up with people that had similar taste in music, she found the website Tastebuds that does just that, it also allows you to send a YouTube song link as a message as a way to get to know someone using a song instead of dialogue. So, on February 26th at 11:09 a.m. she sent me a song, to which she promptly heard nothing back again until 9:25 p.m. on March 27th when I finally replied. I don't think I got the email notifying me of Nikky's initial message until the 27th (or at least close to that). I was quickly impressed with the taste in music that this girl had and with my reply I tried to impress her at least with equal taste. Thus began our conversation in music, which continued with minimal words until the 1st of May when I sent her a message (2:28 a.m.) asking her to a free Peter Breinholt concert being put on as part of the Rooftop Concert Series in Provo. I had noticed that Peter was listed as one of the artists that she liked and I like his music as well and what with a free concert and a chance to finally meet the girl with such great taste I took a shot. She replied at 12:10 and agreed to go with me to the show and also gave me her number. It is probably notable to mention at this point that for some reason my location was listed as Bluffdale (still is) on the website, I assume this was populated automatically by my IP address when I signed up for some strange reason, but this (along with the fact that my profile was minimally filled out (with only one picture) and the combination made her wonder if I was in fact an inmate of the state prison (located in Bluffdale).

Our conversation which had been basically mute up to that point quickly became text in the form of texting. Between our first text and our meeting at the concert we filled 9 pages of a Word document of text. (One month later it was up to 109).

The Pictures

Well, who knew that in the freezing cold Utah winter, we could end up with lovely beach like engagement shots? Not me! I wasn't very optimistic as we headed out to the salt flats that cold December morning. We picked Nikky up in Salt Lake, enjoyed a bite to eat at some tasty little sandwich shop at Nikky & Stephen's recommendation and started the trek toward Wendover. When we got there, it was even colder than when we had started out and the props were looking particularly daunting. Fortunately, Ben & Stephen were dedicated & we got started pulling couches and phonographs all over creation. Between shots, we encouraged Nikky to warm up in the truck less she have a red, little nose for the portraits. Although the snow was appealing, I think the prettiest shots were those shot out on the melted salt flats. The sun was getting low and the colors on the water and ice were gorgeous, so we went for it. Engagement photos are the easiest photos to take in my opinion. Two people in love pretty much glow and these two were no exception. Plus their clever props and posing ideas made the pictures their own. My very favorite photo? Posed by the bride. :) It was my pleasure taking the photos and I hope you love them for years to come. Just let's not take them in 13 degrees when I'm pregnant next time.

- Candice

Ben

The Engagement Ring

Nikky and I had been talking about engagement rings. As she daydreamed about what she would like to have, I remembered seeing just such a ring - my grandmother's ring. My mother still had it. She showed it to me and told me that it was so small and that the other rings of hers had been wanted and promised and passed along, but this had been in my mom's care for some time. I thought it was perfect.
- Stephen

When Stephen pulled the ring out I fell in love with it. He then told me that this ring had belonged to his Grandmother. It was her engagement ring when she had eloped with his Grandfather to Idaho to get married during the depression. They were both supporting widowed mothers and at that time there was only one job allowed per household. They wanted to be married, but also take care of their mothers, so they eloped! They didn't have a lot of money, so his Grandfather sold a sheep to pay for it in 1932. Stephen told me this story and then said "It's yours if you will marry me?" I said, "Yes."
- Nikky

Gifts

Nikky and Stephen are blessed and grateful to have everything they need to start their new life, but if you still are thinking of getting them something, they could use your help with one special wish. Nikky has two children from a previous marriage who are in another country. If you would like to help bring Nikky's two children to the states to be a part of Stephen and Nikky's big day please donate using the link below (or the one off to the side.) Every little bit helps and is very appreciated.

Tastebuds Playlist

Nikky

2/26 Griffin House - The Guy That Says Goodbye To You Is Out Of His Mind

Stephen

3/27 The Lumineers - Ho Hey

Nikky

3/28 Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

Stephen

4/11 Bahamas - Okay, Alright, I'm Alive

Nikky

4/16 Dr. Dog - Shadow People
4/16 Dr. Dog - The World May Never Know

Stephen

4/20 The Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain

Nikky

4/26 Paolo Nutini - Candy
4/26 Imagine Dragons - It's Time

Stephen

5/1 Radical Face - Welcome Home
5/1 Nico Stai - One October Song
5/1 Gomez - See the World

Nikky

5/1 Greylag - Alive and Beautiful

5/1 Matthew and the Hope - Leaving Soul
5/4 Peter Bradley Adams - Los Angeles
5/4 Deb Talen - Ashes on Your Eyes

Stephen

5/8 Josh Rouse - Quiet Town

Nikky

5/8 Kina Grannis - Fix You
5/8 Griffin House - Better Than Love
5/8 Antje Duvekot - Long Way

Stephen

5/9 Ben Kweller - Sundress
5/9 Ben Kweller - Falling
5/9 Ben Lee - Catch My Disease

Nikky

5/11 Soul Asylum - When I Ran Off And Left Her
5/11 Snow Patrol - Called Out In The Dark
5/11 Athlete - Black Swan

Stephen

5/13 Eels - I Like The Way This Is Going
5/14 The Explorers Club - Forever

Nikky

5/15 The Rapture - It Takes Time To Be A Man
5/16 City & Colour - Hello, I"m In Deleware

Stephen

5/17 Mojave 3 - All Your Tears

Nikky

5/17 The Perishers - Nothing Like You and I
5/17 The Icarus Account - Life Is Beautiful

Stephen
5/17 Dan Mangan - The Indie Queens are Waiting

Nikky

5/18 Antje Duvekot - Diana's Song
5/18 Dan Mangan - Sold

Stephen

5/19 Great Lake Swimmers - Your Rocky Spine
5/21 The Rosewood Thieves - Los Angeles
5/21 Princeton - The Indifference Curve

Nikky

5/22 Natalie Walker - Waking Dream
5/22 Natalie Walker - Colorblind
5/22 The Cottars - Waterlily

Stephen

5/22 Iron & Wine - The Trapeze Swinger

Nikky

5/22 Dr. Dog - Heart It Races

Stephen

5/23 Megafaun - Hope You Know
5/23 Alexi Murdoch - Someday Soon
5/23 Alexi Murdoch - All My Days
5/23 Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky
5/23 Pete Droge - Going Whichever Way The Wind Blows
5/23 Nick Drake - Pink Moon

Nikky

5/24 Of Monsters and Men - Dirty Paws
5/24 Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks
5/24 Bombay Bicycle Club - You Already Know
5/24 Mat Kearney - Runaway

Stephen

5/25 The Barr Brothers - Ooh, Belle
5/25 Dead Man's Bones - Name In Stone
5/25 Cloud Cult - You Were Born
5/29 The Lumineers - Slow It Down
5/30 Nina Kinert - Through Your Eyes

Nikky

5/31 The Paper Kites - Featherstone
5/31 The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Copper Down

5/31 The Narrative - Eyes Closed

Stephen

6/1 The Weepies - World Spins Madly On
6/2 First Aid Kit - Emmylou
6/5 Josh Rouse - Sweetie
6/9 Blitzen Trapper - Girl in a Coat
6/14 Jackie Greene - Love Song 2 a.m.

Nikky

7/9 Local Natives - Airplanes
7/9 Local Natives - Who Knows Who Cares
7/9 BOY - Little Numbers

Stephen

7/13 Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon
7/13 Hello Saferide - The Quiz