THE MAEWOOD JOURNAL

Emily and Alex

Real Weddings

August 3, 2020

When You Know, You Know

From the moment Emily met Alex, she just knew. She had recently accepted a long-term substitute position at Mount Carmel High School and was getting the lay of the land from her sister-in-law, a fellow teacher. Somewhere between classroom introductions and hallway chatter, she crossed paths with Alex—and something shifted.

Their friendship blossomed with ease. That winter, while Emily coached the middle school girls’ basketball team, Alex would often find his way to the sidelines—cheering the team on and always lingering a little longer to talk with Emily after the buzzer. It was at one of those games that Emily turned to her dad and, half-joking but entirely certain, said, “Want to meet my future husband?” Her dad gave her the look—you know the one—but moments later, he shook Alex’s hand for the first time.

A Proposal, a Promise, and a Pandemic

Fast forward, and Emily was right. On July 31, 2020—two years to the day after Alex proposed—they exchanged vows overlooking the Elk River at Bohemia Overlook. The ceremony may not have unfolded exactly as they once imagined. There were pandemic protocols, unexpected weather shifts, and a last-minute ceremony relocation. But through every twist, they chose joy.

Because for Emily and Alex, the day was never about perfection—it was about presence. Being present with one another. Choosing to laugh when it rained, to pivot with grace, and to soak in each fleeting, sacred moment.