The New Semkoff's

O has been absolutely crazy over the last few months. I graduated on May 4th from OSU, and then moved mine and Jared's whole lives to Denver. Jared stayed in Denver for the next three weeks, and I came back home to put the finishing touches on our wedding day.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a complete control freak. I thought that we had planned for everything. We had every moment planned from the time that Jared would fly in to the morning we flew out. My college roomie drove down from Missouri on Thursday afternoon, and shortly after she arrived we went to pick up my love. Jared flying in was one of things that had me stressed out the most about the weekend. After a year of delayed and cancelled flights we were both prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. Surprisingly Jared flew in right in time, and we were consumed by the wedding from then on. Thursday night we loaded up my Pa-pa's stock trailer full of decor, hay, and spools, and we left early on Friday morning to head up to Yukon, OK. Jared and I went to pick up our marriage license, Mckenzie & Madi went through OKC to pick up flowers, Mom, Cassie, Em, & Jana gathered up the last few things I needed in Purcell, and my sweet Nana and Papa pulled the full trailer up to the barn. Jared's parent and sister met us there, and we all spent the rest of the day setting up and decorating.

One of the reasons that we chose to get married in the barn was because of our family friends Josh and Laura being so incredible in accommodating our every need or want. They had already done so much for us, and then since a cousin was getting married in Nebraska the same weekend they opened up their house to us for the whole weekend. All week long we had been watching the weather, and they kept saying that their was a chance of severe weather in OK on Friday, but Saturday was going to be perfect. A little severe weather advisory did not bother a big group of Okies. About 5ish on Friday Jared and his parents left the barn and went to the hotel to start getting ready, and me and the gals started getting ready at the house. They all told me to take the first shower so I did, and when I got out everyone was setting on the back porch watching the clouds move in. Cassie is always the one to over react, and so the madness began. We all gave it about 30 minutes before we were all sent running for our cars and heading south. Their was about 15 of us that dispersed into 5 cars and all went different directions. My poor videographers pulled in at the same time that we were all fleeing and I was left telling these poor guys to run for their lives. We all thought we were going to be making a quick circle around the tornado, and then heading back to the barn for our rehearsal. In reality I was in the truck with my dad, granny, and two of my bridesmaid trying to go away from the tornadoes, but so was everyone else so we were setting on roads watching the dark clouds come over us. Most of my family made it to a shelter in Norman, and my fiance and about 15 others are driving in the opposite direction as us trying to run away from it too. Five hours later I ended up eating our rehearsal dinner at the Ihop in Norman with my sisters, brother-in-laws, and two bridesmaids. After dinner we headed back to Purcell because all the roads headed into Yukon were either closed or flooded. After getting about 4-5 hours of sleep we all headed back to the barn to finish getting everything sat up.

Jared and I both said that we would not talk or see each other the day of until our first look before the wedding, but since the night before went the way it did we both needed a little time together to figure out the rest of the day. Thank goodness he was there because we would not have gotten it all done without him. Jana and Madi spent the day making bouquets and boutonnieres, Kacy made popcorn, Cassie handled all the food, makeup, and hair, and Mckenzie was right there with me helping with everything that came my way. Around lunch Jared and I went to get ready, and we finally got to really start our wedding day the way we planned. The storm the night before actually made for the most perfect day in June in Oklahoma we could have ever imagined.

Our photographers showed up around 3 and we immediately started taking pictures. They were amazing at capturing every moment, and were so fun about getting every picture I could have imagined.

Jared and I had decided to do a first look because getting every picture we wanted was extremely important, and we wanted to try and keep the time between the wedding and reception at a minimum. Also, I am generally quite the cryer so we thought if we did a first look then I would have time to reapply some makeup, and get myself together before  the real deal. We were able to take all of the pictures we wanted prior to the wedding except four of them, and were at our reception within 20 minutes after the wedding. Definitely, one of the best decisions of the whole day. 

I also wanted to do a first look with my dad so that we could have that moment together. Also, he is a big cryer, and I was afraid that I would lose it if he did right before the wedding. 

We took a ton of pictures after that. 

Then it was finally wedding time. Since we had not had any rehearsal we just had to wing it. Everyone made it down the aisle fine and even back out. The ceremony was short and sweet, which was exactly what we wanted. We chose to mix dirt from each of our homes, and during that time my sister and her hubs sang the song "I Hope Your the End of My Story" by the Pistol Annies. One of my favorite memories of the day is that my Papa and Dad were there to walk me down the aisle. I have been so blessed to always have the love and support of these guys no matter where I am or what I am doing they have always been by my side and on that day I wanted it to be no other way.

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 The reception was great we danced, took more pictures, and got to hang out with some of our favorite people.Unfortunately our night didn't end there. We finally arrived at our hotel around 12am to find out that not a single hotel in the area had electricity, but never fear our faithful best man and dad came to the rescue and we went back to the hotel in Yukon and got some sleep before leaving for Punta Cana the next morning. We were so relieved just to be on our way that we slept the whole way on the plane, and only had to run once to make it to our next flight. We are so grateful for everyone that made the trip, and shared our special day with us. It was better then we could have ever imagined, and we have a story that will never be forgotten.

He asked.... I said, "YES"!!

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life! I have been sad all week because I knew I was going to my first football game of my senior year without Jared. Let me back up and tell you about Jared and I.

At Super Summer in 2007

On June 5th of 2007 at Super Summer (a church camp in OK) Jared was in a family where my mom was his camp mom. My mom told me that she had found the guy that I was supposed to marry, but I was 16 and the last thing I wanted was my mom picking out my boyfriend. Regardless, it did not take Jared long to change my mind. We talked the rest of that summer, and he even came to see me a few times. We fell for each other that summer, but when August rolled around I went back to high school and Jared started his freshmen year at OSU. We talked here and there and when I came to Stillwater for games with my sister I would always try and see him. In January 2008 we went our separate ways and tried dating other people. We were both in long term relationships, but always seemed to run into each other on campus. In January of 2011 both of our lives had changed, and we both ended up being single at the same time. I ran into him at a basketball game, and we have been inseparable ever since. I made my first trip to Oologah, OK, and he headed south to Purcell, OK again. 

My first trip to Oologah, OK

On March 23, 2011 Jared picked me up from class and handed me a long-stem red rose and asked me, "Will you be my girlfriend?"It was an easy decision. 

Our summer of 2011 was a hard time in our relationship. Jared was offered an internship at Baker Hughes in Denver, CO. We spent that entire summer apart. We both went back and forth between CO and OK. It was hard, but our motto was we can do anything for 3 months. In August he moved back, and we started back to school at OSU (His 5th year & my Junior year). 

We had an amazing last year together at OSU. We made so many amazing memories, and I can not imagine a better time in our relationship. One of our favorite memories was rushing the field when OSU won the BIG 12 Championship. Over our Christmas Break we went skiing and on cruise. It was a great break! In January we went back to school, and in February Jared got his full-time offer from Baker Hughes. The plan was he would move to Denver, CO in June of 2012. This was not the ideal situation. I had another year of school left, and graduating from somewhere other than OSU was not an option. In April Baker let Jared know that he would start out in North Dakota, and he would probably be there until May of 2013. This fact scared us both to death, but we have accepted it now.We made the decision that I would finish my senior year at OSU, he would move to Minot, ND, and we would both go back and forth as much as we can. Jared graduated in May, and then left for ND on June 23, 2012. I started school on August 20th, and we have made it work. 

Now on to the proposal... About a month ago we planned for me to go see him. He told me I could come either the weekend of the 24th or the weekend of the 7th, but I could not come Labor Day weekend because he had an Open House thing at work because they just opened a new building, and he was on call. I made my first trip to ND on Aug. 24th. It was quite the experience! 

Every time Jared and I have seen each other we try to plan when the next time will be. We never made that decision. He has been working like crazy this past week, and we have not really even talked that much. His parents have been planning on coming to the first game for a few weeks, and said that they wanted to grill at Jess's when they came. This past week my roommate and best friend said she wanted to go take pictures before we went to Jess's at the fountain. This is not a weird thing we do it every year at some point during the season , but I was not excited the she wanted to go at 1pm in the heat of the day because I am not a big fan of sweating. My sister, her husband, and my nephew Tucker also came up, and Mac said I had to update mine and Tucker's annual picture by the fountain because this might be the only game they come to since we are adding another baby to our family in October. We walked from my apartment to the fountain, and I did not realized that it was Jared standing there until I was about 100 ft away from him. I was freaking out just to see him in Stillwater. About the time I got to Jared a large group gathered around us. It took me a while to realize that he had both of our families come to be there for the whole thing. (I told him I wanted to be able to celebrate with our families after he proposed along time ago, but he had to make it better than I could have ever imagined) 

Then he got down on one knee and asked the magical question, "Will you marry me?" I could hardly breath, but managed to get out a "YES!!". It was the best day of my life. I am going to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. Thanks to everyone who helped Jared make this the best day.

What's Next? Jared is going to be in Minot, ND until January for sure, I have 30 hours left to complete my double major in marketing and management,  and I will graduate on May 4th, 2013. 


FINALLY!! We are getting married on June 1st, 2013 in Yukon, OK at Express Ranch. After we get married we will be looking for a place to live in Denver, CO. I can not wait to marry this amazing guy. I am the luckiest girl in the entire world!!!!! 

God Gave Me You

Jared has been in Denver, Colorado since June 1st. It has been an extremely tough summer being away from him, but weekends like this past one make me know that it is all worth it. Jared has gotten to come home a few times throughout the summer, and I went out there with his family at the end of May to move him out there. You would think that saying goodbye the fourth time would be a lot easier than the first, but it never gets easier. Regardless of which one of us has to walk away, knowing that in a few hours you will be hours apart again and can't just run over to hang out whenever you want is the worst part of all. I have come to appreciate this experience. I think that us being apart has allowed us to grow even closer than we were before. This weekend I finally took a trip out there to see him. It had been three and a half weeks since we had seen each other, and because of certain events in my life I could not wait to be back in his arms. I left thursday afternoon and when I landed in Denver he was standing there waiting for me. That began our weekend of adventures.....

That night we did a little shopping, and then because I said I was craving italian we walked all over a good portion of Cherry Creek, Colorado looking for the perfect restaurant. We had a delicious dinner the just two of us.

On Friday we woke up and went to a bagel shop where we ate the best bagels I have ever eaten. Jared then told me that he wanted to go walk around a park. Knowing me going for a walk around a park does not excite me too much, but when we got there I understood why. Every where I looked it was GREEN. All these kids playing, people jogging and biking, and beautiful scenery was like a scene in a movie. We walked through the most beautiful garden of flowers, and then just set down and took it all in. 

After the park we headed into downtown Denver for a some site seeing, lunch, shopping, and then a little people watching. We stopped by the mile high marker on the steps of the capital. 

 Jared is the best boyfriend in the world. He followed me from store to store, and never once complained about having to shop. There are so many things and people to look at. For example this is the scary robot man that entertains on the streets of Denver. A few months ago when Jared and I were in Denver with his family we all stopped to watch this guy. He harassed everyone that walked by, and when we started to walk off he went up behind Cheryl and Jess and scared them. So this time when we saw him I made Jared cross the street to avoid him. This is the picture of the famous Robot Guy. 

On Saturday we went to Idaho Springs, Colorado. We went all the way up to the top of Mt. Evans. Which consisted of 14 miles of twisty roads. All the way up we got to see the most beautiful scenery. Once we got to the top of the mountain we hiked up all the way to the peak, and looked across the mountains for what seemed like miles and miles. 

 On Sunday we got up and headed for Cheyenne, Wyoming to the "Daddy of 'Em All". I have always wanted to go to this rodeo because 8 Seconds is my favorite movie of all time, and being at the arena where he rode for the last time was amazing. I have never been to a better rodeo in my entire life. We had so much fun!

Being apart this summer has not been easy, but I feel that it is all part of God's plan for us. It has truly grown us closer together than we could have ever imagined. I have found the one, and I cant wait to have many more adventures together.

Playing Catch Up

To get my blog started I will give everyone a little preview of where my life is right now. As far as school goes I am going to be starting my junior year at OSU in about a month. I am so excited to be back in Stillwater!! I am living with great girls, and I will finally be back in the same town as my boyfriend. To be back in a town where everyone stays up late, and there is actually somewhere to eat at two in the morning. Gotta love college life! My dad, Ruby, Lendall, Cassie, and Emrie all went and helped me move my stuff in this week so I will be back in Stilly before I know it. 

For those of you who did not know I have been dating a guy named Jared for the last 4ish months. We met four years ago at Super Summer, but we were at two totally different points in our life so it just did not work. I could not ask for a better guy to be in love with. Jared has been in Denver, CO all summer for an internship. It has been a great experience for him, but I am ready for it to be over because this being 11 hours apart and only seeing each other four times all summer is not my favorite. Regardless of where we are we know now that we will not let anything come between us. 

Other than Jared being away this has been a great summer. I have been working for my mom, my dad, at Bravo's every once in a while, and then it seems like when I am not doing one of those things I have a niece or nephew around to take care of. I love getting to spend extra time with my family. Cassie and I have set up a pretty good routine and that is that we stay up and watch all of our many shows every night before bed. I will definitely miss that time once I go back to school. So far this summer I have been to Texas, Colorado, Alabama, and Louisiana. We had an awesome family vacation in Alabama and Texas. I went to Colorado to move Jared in for the summer, but next weekend I will be headed up there for a little vacation time in the Rockies. My trip to Louisiana was for the annual National Junior Brangus Show. It was by far the best week of the summer!! I love my Brangus family, and because of that fact I chose to stay on the board as ex-officio for another year. 

There has been some heart ache this summer. While I was gone to Louisiana my dog Stoney was ran over. It has been a rough week, and not being here when it happened made it even worse. A dog is by far the least selfish thing on earth. It doesn't matter what you do they will always love you. Stoney was my first dog apart from my family. The last year and a half he has been the one consistent thing in my life. No matter where I was living, or who I was with he didn't care as long as he was with me. It has been a hard adjustment to life without him, but I know without a doubt that everything happens for a reason. My family, Jared, and friends have been amazing throughout the whole thing. I really don't know what I would do without them. There really is nothing as important as the people that you love.....