|
When our daughter Lindsey joyfully announced her engagement to Patrick, we were thrilled. Lindsey asked if we would host their wedding at Canyon Run Ranch, and without hesitation, we agreed. Gary immediately suggested setting up a tent, but I had a different vision.
 Lindsey & Patrick on their wedding day, May 18, 2013.
We had a rundown barn on the property that I had always wanted to renovate and put to good use. The barn was in a sorry state, filled knee-deep with hay chaff and cluttered with beat-up equipment. It was so dilapidated that Patrick even fell through the floor while we were clearing out the debris – it seemed like an impossible task.
However, Gary and I thrive on challenges. We tackled the project with determination and love, transforming the barn into a beautiful venue fit for our daughters' weddings (Carly was also engaged at the time). It was a true labor of love, done to make their special days even more memorable. I worked as an independent sales representative of several exclusive lifestyle brands, while Gary held an executive position at a machine shop in Dayton. Beyond our two daughters, hosting weddings was never in our plans. It was pure serendipity and it has changed our lives.  Gary met three young men at the Blacksmith Shop where he was a teacher and member, and he made a trade. If you guys are able to help me out with this barn project, I will teach you Blacksmithing. Those young men became our lifelong friends.
Although initially hesitant, Gary has wholeheartedly embraced the weddings, finding joy in crafting imaginative spaces for guests to enjoy.
|
 The barn had been neglected for years, abandoned and dark.
The Barn, Summer 2015
David Bromstadt found our barn in 2014 and chose us to photograph his new furniture collection for Grandin Road. We had a blast.
My advice? "Marry an engineer." Gary is a Renaissance man. Together, we co-own Canyon Run Ranch and Canyon Run Engineering Technologies. With Gary's versatile skills, he can bring to life almost anything I can imagine.
|