This wedding may have been one of my most challenging to date, because Karissa and her mom have been close friends of mine for a number of years, and just six weeks before the wedding they unexpectedly lost Karissa’s dad. And, the loss was felt throughout the day by all of us.

Karissa and Steven are college sweethearts. Even though they attended Los Lunas High School together, they did not start dating until they entered college at New Mexico State University, where Karissa studied Elementary Education and Steven took a degree in General Studies (I’m probably wrong about that!).  

Currently, Karissa is in her first year of teaching Kindergarten at a Las Cruses Elementary School, while Steven is in the process of applying to the New Mexico State Police Academy, with the goal of working for Las Cruses Police Department. 

While their wedding was small, they were surrounded by friends and family who were so excited to see this couple finally united in marriage before God! These two have such a firm foundation in their church, and community that it was impressive to behold! I’m excited to see what the future brings for them, and I want to wish them the best in their journey together!