Reuben & Catalina ~ Austin, TX Wedding Photographer

Every once in a while, God blesses us with an opportunity that is very different than we expect and we have to say “yes” and take that opportunity. Chances are when you’re called to bless someone the blessings you receive are just way bigger than the ones you dish out.

So, Reuben and Catalina.

Reuben is someone Jesse and I know through church (in fact, Jesse serves with him in youth ministry). He’s a pretty smart guy and you’d have to be to work on the team that developed Watson. He’s pretty modest, though, so you’d likely hear that from someone else. He’s a UTEP Miner.

Catalina is a perfect match. They met at an engineering leadership conference in El Paso several years ago. They were lumped in the same ice-breaker group and she remembered him as the tallest one there. On the last night of the conference, Catalina sat with her fellow Aggies. Undaunted, Reuben asked if the seat next to her was taken.

This is love, people. It overcomes even cross-town football rivalries without hesitation. And if I followed college football, I would be able to fully comprehend the depth of that thought but I don’t so I can’t.

After the conference, they friended each other on Facebook then they went retro and started chatting on AIM. Eventually, they went even more retro and started talking on the phone. And you know what? They’ve talked daily since the day she gave him her number.

Not long ago, he planned and executed at surprise proposal to her during a visit with her family in San Antonio. They planned to have a big celebration but instead held a very small ceremony at a place special to both of them, a spot overlooking Austin’s Pennybacker Bridge.

An Aggie doesn’t wed without her ring.

She was so overcome with emotions. I kept asking her if she wanted a tissue. I should have just let well enough alone. 

Their wedding was being broadcast via Skype for family and friends who couldn’t be there, including Reuben’s mom.

Something new to us: they did a braiding of three cords to symbolize their marriage before God.

Fist pump, long kisses and high fives…yeah, they’re not happy to be married

Boutonnière and bouquet? She made those.

It’s awesome to be part of a big family. Her brothers and sisters are so cool.

During our family portrait session, they all realized that the couple who was on the opposite, higher ledge were getting engaged. Looks like she said yes!

Oh yes, she made her own veil, too.