So we're into the single digits now, but who's counting, right? My mom (Barb Butler) runs every day for stress release, and she's never had a better mile-time. Thankfully I have seven rockstar bridesmaids who have faithfully provided me with therapy sessions and lots of encouraging words.

Despite all of the little details we're trying to keep track of now, Gary and I are getting SOOO excited for August 29th. Family starts rollin' in on Tuesday, and we can't wait to see everyone!

We had our final meeting with our pastor, Josh McQueen, and he did an awesome job of reminding us that our wedding and marriage is centered on one thing: Jesus. As my friend Aimee would say, "That's it and that's all." In the middle of a pretty hectic time, it's so good for me to be reminded that even if ribbon colors are a little off or someone bites it down the aisle (not me, of course), we will still be able to celebrate and thank God for the miracle of marriage. Thanks to all of you for being a part of our family's beginning.



Oh, and this is very important. Since Gary got in his Crazy Love plug, I get to tell you all this: read the Harry Potter series. It will change your life.

Well, wedding planning is moving right along. We hammered out a ton of stuff tonight, but there's lots more to come.

Other news is that we're moving to Puyallup, WA (not pronounced "Poo-yallup"). I (Gary) got a job at High Pointe Church as the Student Ministries Director and will officially start on July 19th. We got introduced yesterday and that was quite fun. For some reason, I decided to do a cartwheel as I entered the stage. Lindsay brings that side out of me.

We're excited to move down there and kick-off our marriage! The apartment hunt has been less than satisfying, though.

Random note of the day: Read the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It will change your life. It did for both Lindsay and I. You can get a free audio book of it here or you can get the hard copy here:

We thought we’d spend some time introducing you to our fabulous wedding party. Enjoy the madness below.

Nate Hale is a pretty cool older brother. He’s probably one of the best hockey players you’ll see because of how hard his slap shot is. You’ll find players ducking for cover when he winds up.

Nate lives in Post Falls, Idaho with his wife, Sarah and 1 year old daughter, Avery. He’s one of the most sarcastic people Gary’s ever known and chances are that you will find that out at our wedding.

He’s always had Gary’s back, especially in hockey when we were younger. Gary would start a fight and Nate would end it.

Gary and Luke have known each other ever since Luke had a mullet in middle school.

Luke is one of 4 Ventura guys that went up to SPU for college. It was here that their friendship flourished as they played in a worship band, made Tuna Helper, and lived in Mynx Lodge Theme House.

Luke works over at Microsoft and is one of the most loyal people you’ll find out there…not to mention he plays the drums like no one’s business.

Ryan Axtell, also known as Huge, Monster Truck Meemz & Beast. He and Gary became good friends when Gary joined his screamo band as the bassist. Soon after, the appeal of SPU and experiencing college together was enough for them to make the move.

Ryan is now working as the College Director at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler, AZ. He’s an amazing musician and one of the funniest guys out there.

Well, where to start with this character.. Gary and David have only known each other for a year, but you’d never be able to tell by the way they interact.

Gary and David have become great friends in the past year because of their same passion to see students love Jesus. It all began when David came to Eastlake for the first time and their conversation ending with Gary saying, “Hey, wanna be my intern for the summer?” Inevitably, David said yes.

David now works at Eastlake Church and will be heading to SPU in the Fall of 2009. Not many people like to hang out with Gary and David because they’re known for making awkward jokes and never stop talking about church.

Daniel Bremerman was Gary’s other half as he worked in Elk Grove, CA at First Baptist Church. They connected day and night about worship bands and church…seeing a theme yet?

Daniel is finishing up his Engineering degree at Sacramento State and is very involved with his church’s college group.

Gary wouldn’t be the guy he is today without their monthly “man chat” phone dates when they talk about 2 things: their ladies & church.

Keenan is one of the wittiest guys you’ll ever meet. He is Lindsay’s brother and has stuck by Gary ever since those awkward times when he’d show up at their house to do laundry (with the hope of seeing Lindsay).

He’s heading to Boise State this Fall shooting for the Economics major. He’s a rockstar soccer player and does a mean Will Ferrell impersonation that makes Lindsay pee herself.

Raoul is one of those guys that you can tell is REALLY listening when you talk to him. He and Gary became Christians right around the same time and had an immediate bond.

He’s played a significant role in Gary’s life by challenging him to take risks and steps of faith, while always being someone Gary can count on.

He is now working at getting SPU’s seminary program off the ground and doing a great job. He’s married to Sarah and loves his dog, Corky, more than a baby loves his mama.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Katie Tormey. This is one classy lady Lindsay has been meeting with for the last 5ish years. She started off as Lindsay’s Young Life leader and moved quickly to mentor and friend. They’ve had an awesome time drinking coffee, walking, and tearin’ it up at Wildhorse and Malibu camps over the years.

Katie is the Regional Trainer for the Evergreen Region of Young Life. She lives in Kirkland with her husband, Billy.

Maggie Butler is the sassy little sister of the bride (sass is a good thing in the Butler home). Lindsay and Maggie share a deep love of singing loudly and wearing cute shoes. Maggie is a loyal, joyful young lady and is one of the best listeners out there.

As an 8th grader at Kirkland Junior High, Maggie is most concerned with prepping for summer vacation. She can usually be found hangin’ at church, playing tennis, or obsessing over Taylor Swift.

Natalie and Lindsay met through Young Life. They’ve had many memorable moments together including The Epic Tickle Fight, BonQuiQui, breaking in to Gary’s house at Christmas, and especially leading junior highers to Jesus.

Natalie, aka NATO/Sticky Lice/Nat, will be a senior at Lake Washington High School in the fall. As a softball player, Young Life & Eastlake leader, and rockin’ guitarist, Nat keeps herself pretty busy. Watch out for this lady at the wedding – she’s the best blackmail-picture-taker you’ll ever met.

Ah, Sarah Perez. She’s pretty much the bomb. Even though Lindsay and Sarah have only known each other for a little over a year, it’s clear that she is someone who is always available with good advice, ridiculous jokes, or a listening ear. If any moments from Catch Phrase were subtle enough for the internet, this is where they’d be, but…yeah…

Sarah lives in Shoreline with her husband, Raoul, and their child – excuse me – dog Corky. She is a student at Fuller Seminary where she’s working on her Masters of Divinity.

Lindsay and Erin also go waaaay back to about a year ago. One of her greatest assets is the ability to score incredible amounts of points in the final round of any game , stealing the win from the guys. Since Erin just became a wife last summer, she has been faithfully walking Lindsay through the dating and engagement stages of life. Her insight and generosity are only two of her many admirable characteristics.

Erin lives in Kirkland with her husband, Luke (the guy on the shirt). She works at Talyst, and she’ll most likely be running the place in about a year.

You’d never think that Lauren is actually related to Gary because she’s so dang pretty, but she really is. No, seriously. They are.

Lauren is an energetic one that punches harder than Mike Tyson. She is a natural athlete, especially when it comes to volleyball. Don’t let her catch you off guard because she could catch you with a nasty spike all over your face.

Lauren lives in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and is working and doing the community college route just like Gary. Her life goal is to be just like Gary, but in woman form.

Sarah is a saint. I think there is yet to be someone to see her letting the angry side of her get the best of her. It’s a good thing she’s so level headed because a guy like Nate (Gary’s brother) needs it.

Who would have thought Lindsay could be so fortunate to have a sister-in-law as cool as Sarah. She’s one of those people that is good at everything she does. It’s really not fair.

She and Nate are married with a 1 year old daughter and live in Post Falls, Idaho.

We registered for gifts and it was...an adventure. We started it off at Macy's with a very nice woman that kept offering us water and sneaking up on us as we walked through the store. It was a little bit unsettling, but we powered through the awkwardness.

Obviously, I had the zapping gun. Any guy knows that this REALLY is the best part of registering. I'm thinking about going back and registering again under a fake name just so I can play with that gun again.

After Macy's, we headed to Target. It was fun. But my eyes couldn't handle looking at anymore stuff. This meant that I ended up sitting on the ground in one of the aisles as Lindsay kept bringing more stuff to me so I could zap it. Not ideal.

My favorite part of registering was finding out that Amazon.com does it, too! YES! I love Amazon. They make me smile and feel like a little boy at Toys R Us.

If you're getting married soon, keep Amazon in mind. It's totally the way to go.

So, one might ask the question, "How did these two get together?" Well, that's what this page is for...

Gary & Lindsay met in April of 2006 at an Eastlake Church worship night (not on a Sunday morning like Lindsay likes to believe). It all began when Gary saw Lindsay across the room and thought, "Wow. She's hot." He boldly went up and introduced himself and stumbled through asking her...
"How old are you?"

A little creepy. Yes, he knows that.

Nothing came about at that point, but they began leading on the Eastlake Church music team together in the Summer of 2006 and when Lindsay found out Gary was going to lead a college small group for the summer, she was all in. There was some quality time spent together that summer and 2 weeks before Gary moved to Sacramento, CA, he decided to ask Lindsay out...over a voice mail. Now, that's ballsy.

Lindsay returned his call the next morning at about 7am hoping he wouldn't answer because she would inevitably say, "I'm not dating...kind of." Ouch.

Off to California went Gary, which was followed by some fabulous e-mails back and forth in which they discussed great C.S. Lewis books, being leaders in ministry, car accidents and the best game ever...Catch Phrase.

But it wasn't until 2008 that things really got interesting. Lindsay confessed her dying love for Gary (which actually means she said, "We should...ummm...maybe...like...hang out more").

The rest is history. They experienced lots of stuff together. Student ministry camps, trips to Canada, Portland and Idaho, a conference at Saddleback Church, Disneyland, hockey games, teaching junior highers about sex, golfing, In N Out Burger, laughing, pink hair, bleached hair, but most importantly...learning how to love and follow Jesus.

It took 3 years to get to the engagement and there's only more to come...

April 18, 2009.