On December 21, 2024, during the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year—my partner, now my husband, and I eloped to Iceland.
Pause.
Before I set the stage for that day, I want to acknowledge someone I often overlook: Myself.
My mind moves so fast that I rarely stop to recognize how much I've grown. But as I reflect, I see it clearly—I am not the woman I was five years ago. Hell, I'm not even the woman I was last week.
I am a woman who fought brutal battles yet never gave up. A woman who held onto her dreams even when they felt impossible. A woman who arrived at this exact moment of beautiful creation and existence.
The older I get, the more I understand that progress isn't about speed—it's about showing up. It's about stepping into the ring, facing the "protector parts" of myself that once shielded me from love and vulnerability.
Raised in toxicity, I believed things needed to fall apart to feel real. Conditioned by this narrative, I stayed in my "safe zone," attracting emotionally unavailable men.
My sympathetic nervous system remained on high alert, equating love with chaos and connection with pain. I convinced myself I was meant to navigate life alone—that I didn’t need or deserve deep, lasting love.
But over time, I began rewiring my mindset, learning to lean into my parasympathetic nervous system—the part of me that welcomes ease, calm, and trust. I changed the story, and in doing so, I changed the dynamic.
I don't have to panic. I don't have to brace for the worst. It is safe to open up. It is safe to be a team.
Every past relationship led me here—teaching me what I didn’t want and guiding me toward what I truly deserved. They didn’t break me; they cracked me open, making space for the love I was always meant to receive. And for that, I am grateful.
And now, here I am—in love, in Iceland, in a new chapter of life—with the most loving man who not only ticks all of my boxes but exceeds them.
As a winter bride, I chose an Alexander McQueen suit, Chanel boots, and faux fox fur, while the groom wore a tailored suit. The bitter cold was no match for the day's magic—blessed by nature, the sun broke through as Erla, our celebrant led our ceremony, and Lia, our photographer, captured epic photos and videos.
From the waves crashing on the beach—the only other thing, besides me, that my surfer husband couldn’t take his eyes off of—to the untouched, snow-lit landscapes and our hike up to the ice caves, every moment felt surreaOnly some of our immediate family could join our last-minute, three-week-planned elopement—talk about rushed! I’m beyond grateful for everyone who made it, especially my brother Steven, who braved Iceland’s unpredictable weather and drove the entire time we were there.
Now, it paves the way for a bigger wedding—an even greater adventure and much more time to plan, and I get to wear the white dress—in the Summer of 2026 to celebrate our sacred union with all of our family and friends.
As I step into this new chapter, I lean deeper into love, trust, and the truth that life can be easy—it no longer needs to be hard. Honoring the love I once thought I’d never find—but first had to discover within myself.
Much Love,
Lauren
