Wedding Guide
A special supliment to The Valley News & Clarinda Herald Journal
On this day I will marry On this day I will marry my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with and most importantly love unconditionally. Proposed while living in Denver, CO. They now live in Fargo, ND. Tyson has proposed to Amanda (3) times! But, you know what they say..... The third
time is always a charm. He proposed for the first time New Year's of 2008 and then again a few months after that with a ring pop while they were eating Taco Bell. Both times the answer was YES with a clause "when is the ring coming?" On April 7th, 2009 Amanda was enjoying her typical day at work at the radio station and
towards the end of the show received a surprising phone call from Tyson's aunt Lynn from Iowa. She streams the show from Iowa and just wanted to call in to say hello. The host of the morning show then decides to get Tyson on the phone and have him propose to Amanda. Tyson asked her to marry him and once again she gave the
phrase for the third time "YESBut, when is the ring coming?" Amanda thought it was a joke until she got home that night and a Zales box was sitting on the counter. She opened the box and was soooooo excited. To her disappointment it was a key. Not just an ordinary key it was a rusty heavy equipment operator key that Tyson had for years. He looked at her and said, "I know it's not much and a little rusty, but it is the key to my heart!" Amanda started crying not only because it was adorable, but because she still did not have the ring! (haha) As she was walking into the next room Tyson grabbed her arm and said, "Really Amanda? Do you think I would ask you again if I didn't have a ring?" He got down on one knee and popped the question! July 2, 2011 ……The wedding will take place outdoors on Middle Leaf Lake in Henning, MN. Amanda graduated from Wadena, MN high school and Metro State Community College, DN, CO. They moved to Fargo, ND in 2010. She is employed with Country Station Froggy 99.9 as a morning show personality while Tyson is employed with Aggregate Industries as a heavy equipment operator.
Thoughts from the mother-inlaw... Amanda won’t have to worry about the usual stereotype mother-in-law because I had an excellent role model Rita Sliger in Grandma Gladys Sliger. Grandma Sliger had a special gift of bringing the whole family together. Each Sunday I looked forward to visiting because my cousins would be at my grandparent’s home. We had Christmas there too. Grandma Sliger always included my mother in on any of the plans and festivities. Even though Grandma Sliger and my mother may have had some disagreements my mother loved Grandma Sliger deeply. My mother even lived with my grandparents while my father was in the army serving in the Philippines during WWII. I have tried to fashion my “mother-in-law” self after my Grandma Sliger. The difference is living several hundred miles apart from my future daughter-in-law makes visits and phone calls anticipated. Social media helps keep my finger on the pulse of what is happening in their lives and clues me in to the times not to call or make a comment. Of course, with Amanda being in radio and communications, the listening audience gets to be a part of our “family” as well. But, one of the hardest things about living so far apart is that some “traditions” will not be able to happen, such as the Sunday visits. However, I am sure we will find a way to make our own long distance traditions. My greatest fear of becoming a mother-in-law is getting labeled and having a barrier between my future daughter-in-law and myself.
Thoughts from the mother-in-law... Fortunately for Carrie, I come from a long line of wonderful mother-in-laws. Goldie McKinzie, my great -grandmother, lived to be ninety-five. She was a strong Irish woman who never met a stranger. Terri Kruse Christmases at her farm were the best! As a kid, it was an adventure to follow the gravel road to her old house in the country. Everyone (even the in-laws) looked forward to seeing her and to the warm fellowship and brilliant feasts that went on in her home. Grandma McKinzie used to say the in-laws were easier to get along with because they didn’t have the hot-headed Irish temper. Verda Irwin, my grandmother, also lived a long and wonderful life. Like her mother, she loved everyone! Birthdays and holidays alike, she welcomed all of us and a few strangers into her home. Grandma’s home was always decorated to the hilt. My favorite being the bubble lights at Christmas. I have carried this tradition on in my own home with bubble lights on the mantel. My mom always loved Grandma, her mother in law, as she treated my Mom like she did her own daughter. There were never any hard feelings or differences between my grandma and her three daughters-in-law because of her love and fairness. My own mom, Shirley Irwin, has never uttered or implied a bad word about Bill Kruse. And trust me there have been times when she should have!!! She has always been more than supportive of our marriage and of our children. Mom also continues to celebrate holidays and birthdays making all invited feel a part of the family. I hope that some of the warmth and loving kindness that came from within these women has been passed on to me. I hope to carry on this fine tradition of warm and loving mother-in-laws. What do I fear most in becoming a mother-in-law? Nothing! I’m excited to become a mother-in-law! My son is marrying a wonderful young woman and we love her dearly. I might even get some grandchildren out of the deal!
Operation proposal. . . “Operation Proposal” began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when Carrie and I traveled there for a concert, something we have done together since we were in high school. We were about to catch our shuttle to the concert when Carrie looked at me and said, “I couldn’t imagine a better person to be with or place to be at right now.” At this point her eyes watered up and she gave me a big hug. I
knew that I felt the same way. I knew I had to recreate that exact moment to propose to Carrie. After countless nights of trying to think of the perfect opportunity to fulfill my plan I learned the same band was playing in Des Moines in a few months. I knew this would be the perfect time to “pop the question!” It was the day of the concert and I had taken the day off to
complete all the necessary steps to make this the perfect moment. The room was reserved at the same hotel chain we stayed at in Minneapolis. I had even gotten the exact same room number. The flowers were in place, the wine was chilling, and the same movie was playing on TV, the scene was set. I knew Carrie would be getting off work shortly so I made a
quick call to her office and told her to meet me outside. As I pulled up to get her I was very nervous and excited! I told her that everything had been taken care of for the night and we could just relax and enjoy the evening. Seeing all the special details I had prepared for her made her eyes sparkle like they did in Minneapolis. I knew this was the perfect time to ask the ultimate question. I told Carrie I wanted her to be as happy as she was on that cold night in Minnesota, for the rest of her life. At this point, I got down on one knee, gave her the ring, and proposed! Carrie quickly said “Yes”! We spent the rest of the evening at a great concert and celebrating with friends. The wedding will take place June 11, 2011, in Urbandale, Iowa. Carrie graduated from Simpson College and received her Master’s Degree from Drake University. Carries is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Windsor Heights. Tyler graduated from the University of South Dakota, and is a Loss Prevention Supervisor for Kohls in the Des Moines metro. Both are 2002 graduates of Shenandoah High School.
Give a Ring That Lasts FOREVER A
ccording to the United States Census Bureau (USCB), an average of 2.2 million couples get married each year. And one of the most popular days for couples to get engaged is Valentine’s Day. While professions of love are an important part of each Valentine’s Day, for the thousands of men who pop the question on February 14th, the way he proposes is what takes precedence. And no part of that proposal leaves a more lasting impact than the engagement ring. In fact, the Bridal Association of America reports that 85 percent of all grooms propose with a ring. For grooms getting down on one knee this Valentine’s Day, consider the following engagement ring and proposal tips, courtesy of noted jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor. Give a ring that lasts a lifetime. O’Connor is quick to note that an engagement ring is a piece of jewelry that a bride will wear everyday for the rest of her life. Therefore, grooms should look for a ring that’s not only beautiful, but durable as well. Platinum provides
the best of both worlds. A naturally white metal, platinum, unlike gold, won’t cast a yellow color into a glittering diamond, but instead, enables the diamond to sparkle brighter. In addition, platinum is a more durable setting than yellow or white gold, an important point to consider when purchasing a ring, especially since you want to make sure that the center diamond is always properly secured. Take a cue from celebrity style. These days celebrity weddings and engagements are big news. But for couples not earning celebrity paychecks, it is still entirely possible to afford engagement rings similar to those of Hollywood’s brightest stars. After all, platinum and diamond engagement rings start at under $2,000 from retailers. “Choose a ring style that’s comfortable, practical but also unique to your personal style sensibility,” says O’Connor. The classic platinum and diamond solitaire remains one of the more popular ring designs among celebrities, including Fergie, Beyonce and Rachel Bilson, while other
Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Hudson and Eva Longoria-Parker have gone for a more romantic style. They’ve selected platinum settings that have a technique called ‘micropave,’ where tiny diamonds are set all over the band and/or center stone to create a shimmering effect. “Whatever platinum engagement ring style you purchase, always remember to select the same metal for your wedding band,” notes O’Connor. “A white gold wedding ring will lose metal over time, so it wouldn’t look appropriate with a sparkling platinum engagement ring.” Craft a platinum proposal. Costly proposals are long gone. Nowadays, men are opting to create a meaningful experience for their future bride. “Take her to the location of your first date, or cook her the best meal that you shared together,” says O’Connor. “Your bride-to-be will think back to this moment for the rest of her life, so I encourage men to spend time planning the perfect proposal and to think of your favorite shared memories.”