Jordan + Daniel // Sunflower Hill Farm
Do you believe in love at first sight? Jenny smiles. “I didn’t until I met you,” she smiles bigger. It’s probably true. I think it was perhaps a little more complex than that. Maybe it was... at first charm, then stellar dance moves, then above average intelligence regarding Hemingway, then more wit and charm, sprinkled on top with CIA level resourcefulness, and closing with magic tea. Smiley face. Champagne bottle. Champagne explode.
- Rick
FROM THE BRIDE
who picks you up and spins you around in the middle of a crowd
sings along to your favorite song at the top of his lungs
Oh, and ensure he’s also hot as hell
But also your lips passionately
find a man who truly “gets down” with you on the dance floor
who makes you laugh
and encourages you to do the same
who kisses your forehead gently
I certainly believe in love at first sight. It happens to me all the time. I remember the first moment I looked over at Jordan. It was more than a decade ago, second row, Ray Lamontagne played Jolene. I love that song. I’m an eternal hopeless romantic, dreamer, believer in magic. I’ve seen the burning bush and it’s equally as awe inspiring as it is unbelievable. Jordan had a tear running down her right cheek. She felt it, too. She felt what I felt. I could’ve watched her experiencing Ray over Ray all night long. There must be someone else out there like me. I always wondered it, but I never had proof. She was proof. I don’t know how we became friends. I also don’t know how all the magic happens. Sometimes you just get lucky and meeting Jordan is a sign that you did something right in a past life. She’s your reward. To be friends with her would be like witnessing a miracle every day. Simply getting a chance to share space with her for a few minutes is enough to keep you smiling all day long. Some people have that warmth, that heart, that energy that truly holds an essence next to god. And to marry her, wow, we aren’t sure how Daniel doesn’t explode from excess joy with every moment. We got the privilege to see him on his wedding day, and he almost did go poof. His smile wouldn’t end. Sometimes he swelled from so much excess that he leaked. Water just appeared and flowed from his eyes leaving a trail of glittering diamonds behind every footstep he took. It was impossible to lose them. We didn’t say goodbye until the very end, well, into tomorrow, where a local bar of perfect, quaint, unassuming charm became an after party that molded into the building like it was our own backyard.
Jordan and Daniel planned the perfect wedding. There was Veuve to start the day (instant win in my book). A truly beautiful property at the Sunflower Hill Farm outside of St. Louis, Missouri gave way to a sparkler send off after Jordan sang my favorite song “What’s Up” by the 4 Non Blondes. I sang along, recording, camera in one hand, Negroni in the other. This was the stage for the magic show. It was here, on that hill, when an Iowa boy (god makes them better in Iowa) seals his angel with a kiss. We were there to capture the moving images of their love as it happened. Since I love them so much I had to click a few stills for fun too. The words about “finding a man” are from Jordan herself and I couldn’t agree with her more.
Rewind then years ago. Later that night I bought Ray a 14 year Oban at the old Nyes in Northeast Minneapolis. It was his favorite scotch. I love my scotch friends. He was disappointing. I’m okay with that. He didn’t find me interesting. However, he did find women interesting, so he humored me to gain access to them. I was happy to help. Ray’s music is like his life. He lived on a couch for a few years in Minneapolis back in the day. He’s socially a tad awkward and hence why he puts his soul into his music so well. The music always becomes its own creative entity after it’s out there. It means something more personal to everyone who experiences it. It’s no longer about the artist that created it. It’s about how it makes you feel and what action and memory it inspires within you. .
That night, there you were cocaine flames in my bloodstream. I was enraged with love or the hope of love on the nights horizon. I bought myself a hard pack of cigarettes in the early morning rain. She doesn’t smoke and either do I. Tonight ended too early and I needed something to cope. Lately my hands didn’t feel like mine. My eyes were stung with dust and I’m blind. The taste on my lips, I didn’t want anything to touch them again. I didn’t want to forget her taste. It felt like a dream. It was the dream. Please don’t let me wake up.
I held you in my arms the one time and then like that, I lost you just the same. Darlin, I’m not about to go straight. It’s too late. I found myself face down that night in the ditch. Booze in my hair and blood on my lips, protecting my princess. There was a picture of you holding a picture of me on my screen. I may not know what love means but I love you. My fingers touch the cold glass screen... It’s not the same.
Now it’s been so long since I’ve touched your face or even felt a part of the human race. I’m still living out of my suitcase. I need something I can hold onto, like a nine pound hammer, or a woman like you. I suppose either one will do but oh, God, how I want a woman like you. I don’t think I can go straight. It’s too late. And I still love you. There’s a picture of you in my torn blue jeans. I let my eyes take it in one last time. It burned by my feet with my last cigarette. I may not know what love is yet but I know I love you.
Do you believe in love at first sight? The artist writes a story. It was onto something. It could’ve been specific, or a home and a dream. But now you, as the reader, can choose how it makes you feel. If it helps you believe in love, I’d say we’re onto something then.
- Rick
VENDOR LOVE:
Venue: Sunflower Hill Farm // Band: Diamond Empire Band // Floral Design: Olive and Gene Weddings // Jeweler: David Kodner // Dress: Bella Bianca // Menswear: The Groomsman Suit // Bar: 23 City Blocks // Cocktail Hour: Seed Sprout Spoon // Dinner: Grace Meat + Three // Cupcake Truck: The Sweet Divine