J+K=WOJ Series |Our Love Story|
Part of being a wedding photographer is getting to know your clients. We send our brides a questionnaire to get to know them and how they fell in love. On the day of the wedding, we continue to tell their story through the images that we capture. It's only fair that we tell you our very own "love story."
How did you meet?
Jerico & I met in our Physics class at Sandalwood High School in 2005. Jerico was a senior and i was a junior. You see, I was kind of a nerd and was a very quiet student and Jerico was the complete opposite. Jerico sat behind me (I sat at the very front) and picked on me from the very first day. He would make fun of my shoes, K-Swiss', my "Russian-ness"(my accent, my lunches, my hair style, my music) and would encourage our teacher to continue to call me Katarina instead of Kristina. I didn't consider this as flirting but according to Jerico, this was his way of flirting back then. Jerico would copy my homework and constantly got me in trouble. He would whisper my name and i would turn around to tell him to stop and the teacher would only see me talking. Then we got paired as partners on a project which lead to spending more time together and getting to know a side of Jerico I've never seen. He was hardworking, very smart (he actually understood physics and was able to apply it, I was just able to get A's on the tests), and he built a boat that got first place. We continued to hang out and ended up being really good friends. We didn't actually start dating for another year.
It was very hard for me to date Jerico because he wasn't Russian. I know that sounds crazy, but I was scared my parents wouldn't approve. Even though we live in America, I'm sure my parents thought I would marry a Russian man. It was hard for Jerico to understand because he was a child of mix races so it would frustrate him at times that he wasn't able to meet my family. It wasn't until we dated for almost 2 years that I finally built up the courage to introduce him to my parents. When they methim, it was as if they didn't even realize he wasn't Russian; they just saw that he made me happy.
this is the first time Jerico ever took a picture of me.
where it all started. (this wasn't taken while we were students, we like to come back every once in a while on a date)
Some things never change..Jerico being goofy & me laughing.
Where was your first date? What did you do?
So the first time we ever hung out outside of Physics class was at a Saints vs Neese basketball game. I wasn't aware that this was a date, I just thought we were hanging out. We were both so akward. All I remember is Tim Tebow dunking on all our guys. After the game we stood around by our cars in the parking lot and talked for a little and went our separate ways. Jerico officially asked me to date him on a trip to the happiest place on Earth, Disney World in August of 2009.
How long have you dated?
Jerico and I dated for 4 years before we got engaged. During this time, Jerico joined the Marine Corps so we ended up having a long distance relationship. While Jerico was in bootcamp, we wrote each other letters. I remember checking the mail daily for these very cherished hand written words & sometimes he sent me drawings. Jerico would send them to my house as well as to my work as surprises. He even managed to schedule flowers to be delivered to my work on several occasions.
Right after this picture, Jerico got on a bus,
These come in russian candies and i saved this one and sent it to Jerico in one of my letters to him.
The only form of communication we had were letters. I saved every single one!
these aren't even all of the times he sent me flowers.
in 2010, Jerico gave me a promise ring.
our "engagement" pictures.
Tell me about the "spark"... What's your love story?
We definitely were friends first which helped us get to really know each other. It's going to sound weird but, we just connected. There wasn't a moment that did it.. it was a series of moments that just proved that we were meant for each other.
(Jerico's answer)
Instead of writing it out, I'll let you listen to my version of our story.
The serious Marine & the happy go-lucky girl
On this trip to San Diego, I knew I would be marrying this man.
What are you favorite things to do together?
Other than photography, we love to travel, watch Family Feud, spend time at parks with Kai, listen to 00's music, and DIY crafts. Below are some of the places we have been together.
We're both VERY competitive when it comes to air hockey!
"Back at one" is our song.
Any funny stories about yourselves?
Every day is a funny story. One that comes to mind is the time we got stuck in an elevator during the Marine Corps Ball. It's about 10 of us going down the elevator and "someone" (we all say it was Jerico) yelled out, "Jump on 3...1,2,3" and guess what.. we all jumped! Our jumping stopped the elevator and we were stuck in between floors minutes before the ceremony is to begin. Now mind you, the men are wearing their dress blues, which aren't comfortable to begin with and now we are in a small confined elevator with no air circulation. All the Marine were convinced they were getting non judicial punishment for causing such a scene. It was about an hour before the hotel was able to repair the elevator and get us out. Apparently, the elevator had a camera so this whole thing was recorded and shown to us a few days later. We ended up getting a $765.00 bill from the hotel for the repairs but no one got in too much trouble.
What things do you love most about him?
I really loved that Jerico was always pushing me to be who I really am and to be real. He just loved me the way I was. I loved his big heart, he was always so kind and giving to everyone. He always knows how to make me laugh and I love how creative and artistic he is. I love that he supports me 100% in everything. Oh, and the man has some moves on the dance floor; I just love watching him dance.
What things do you love most about her?
Of course her unconditional love and kindness. Her passion to help others, giving whatever she can to help in a situation, and expect nothing in return. She's my rock, we have gone through so much in the past decade the next 80 years will be a breeze because at 108 I'm calling it quits and I'm going home. O, definitely her cooking. I love her cooking too!
Kristina's response to seeing this picture: "Really?!? This is the picture you want to post? Of all the pictures you have of me, this one is your favorite?!?!Thanks babe..."
We love to see newly engaged couples and we always tell them that it's only going to get better!! I love doing life with Jerico and I hope our marriage inspires other couples.
Make it a great day! =)
Kristina & Jerico Warner