It all started with a joke.

Josh explained, "It all started with a joke. I said we should get married in Central Park, NYC, kind of as a joke. That's what happens, I make a joke," His wife Nicole finishes his sentence by saying "and I make it happen." Josh continued saying "So then I said we should renew our vows in every state, and here we are."

Josh and Nicole are from South Dakota and were married for the first time at Central Park in New York. In their almost five years of marriage they have renewed their vows in North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Nevada, Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas and now, Oklahoma. Interestingly, they have not yet been married or had a vow renewal in their home state of South Dakota. However, according to Nicole, it's definitely in the plans.  

The couple's Oklahoma Vow Renewal occurred at The Lighthouse at Lake Hefner the morning of June 1, 2013. The Lighthouse location was a tribute for this couple to the bride’s mother who recently lost her battle against cancer and loved Lighthouses of all kinds.

The family arrived looking super cute wearing matching black and white t-shirts that said "OK Renewal May 31st, 2013". Unfortunately, the evening of May 31st the Oklahoma weather was less than ideal for an outdoor wedding or vow renewal. This is a family of troopers. They withstood the Oklahoma tornadoes and flooding and had their special moment when the sun came out the next morning. Heck or high water will not stand in the way of what this family sets their mind to doing. 

Josh and Nicole truly seem to understand that a good marriage takes effort and they are putting a lot of effort into keeping their marriage fresh, unique and a priority above other things.  

I received an email from this Nicole after the May 20th tornadoes inquiring as to our well-being and asking how can they help in our community while they would be here for their vow renewal.  

This couple and their family inspire me. I very much enjoyed meeting them all and I am so honored that they chose me to officiate their Oklahoma Vow Renewal.