Melinda & Bradin: An Outdoor Wedding in Loveland, CO

Though they grew up together, it took a few years for Melinda and Bradin to realize theirs was more than a simple friendship. The Bride Melinda Hikida, 26, hairdresser The Groom Bradin Farnworth , 26, youth counselor The Date June 11 Melinda and Bradin grew up together in the same small Idaho town. “We’ve known each other since grade school,” Melinda says. Though romance wasn’t in the cards early on, they did go on a date or two in high school, and, Melinda says, “there was always an attraction.” The two lost touch after high school, but about five years later a mutual friend gave Melinda (who by then had moved to Colorado) Bradin’s email address. Bradin came to visit her and soon decided to move to Colorado himself. Two and a half years later, Bradin decided to surprise Melinda with a new kitten (the couple already shared two but had been talking about adopting another). When Melinda came home from work, she found Bradin and the new kitty—with an engagement ring attached to its collar.