A LOVE STORY: ZACH & KIM SIRKIN

February 2, 2016 Cover Story, Currents No comments

NAME OF COUPLE: Zach & Kim Sirkin

DATE OF WEDDING: October 4, 2015

WEDDING BUDGET: $12000

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 125

WEDDING VENUE: Ocean View United Methodist Church

RECEPTION VENUE: 801 Ocean

CATERER: The Confectionary – Bobbie Blackmon

FLORIST: DIY – Bride and Bride’s Sister, Catherine Robbins

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Escobar of Matt McGraw Photography

BRIDAL PORTRAIT: (Kim in Light photo) taken at Tryon Palace in New Bern by Bride’s Father-in-Law, Scott Sirkin

RENTALS: Seaside Wedding Connections – Wendy Hilliard and Nicole Finley

MUSIC: DJ- Matt Hayes
MAKE UP ARTIST: Coastal Roots Salon – Keri Crouch and Olivia Hood

HONEYMOON: San Rafael Hotel in Antigua, Guatemala (Zach’s Uncle gifted us a two week stay at his gorgeous hotel. It was the most amazing and beautiful place)

FIRST DANCE SONG: Let it be Me by Ray LaMontang

CAKE PROVIDED BY: The Confectionary – Bobbie Blackmon – We just did the cake topper cake for cutting and had an AMAZING dessert table

WEDDING PLANNER: Seaside Wedding Connections Wendy Hilliard and Nicole Finley

HOW & WHEN DID YOU MEET?

KIM: Our mutual friend, Ashley Baxter, had a “Bon Voyage PPD” soiree. I overheard Zach filling “Papa Baxter” in on the details of his recent cross county dirt bike trip and was very intrigued. I mean, what kind of person drops everything and rides a dirt bike 4,600 miles across the country?! Thanks to Zach’s sister, Lizzy, who heard through the grapevine that we’d met, Zach was easily convinced that a first date was in order. Two days later, we started to get to know one another over two of our favorite things- pizza and craft beer!

ZACH: We met on November 7th, 2012. A mutual friend was having a company farewell party at Satellite Bar and Lounge in Wilmington. I had just gotten back from a 45 day cross-country dirt bike trip (Trans-American Trail) and apparently Kim wanted to meet this “exciting, outdoorsy, totally tan guy”. It apparently takes 45 constant days of sun for me to tan, but she learned that the hard way! We talked to each other for at least an hour, quickly ignoring most of our friends in the building.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

KIM: Of course! Who wouldn’t fall in love with an adventurous; thrill seeking, cross-country traveling dirt biker?
ZACH: I’m not sure either of us was look- ing for ‘love at first sight’ at the time, but we both could tell that there was need for a first date before the clock struck 12.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT EACH OTHER?
KIM: From the moment we met, I have loved his laugh and genuine smile. He has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known and he makes me want to be a better person everyday. He is constantly teaching me how to “not sweat the small stuff”.

ZACH: At first it was her eyes that drew me in and kept me staring, but as we grew together, it was her incredible compassion for others and completely ridiculous love for me (who could blame her).

SAME RELIGIOUS BELIEFS?

KIM: Yes, we both attended Port City Community Church in Wilmington and are now attending Hope Community Church in Raleigh.

ZACH: We both attended Port City Community Church long before knowing each other…lord knows how many times we walked past each other!!

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

KIM: Brunswick County born and raised! I lived on Oak Island as a small child and then moved “out to the country” to Bolivia, when I was eight.

ZACH: I have spent most of my life in New Bern, NC. I would consider our old house that overlooked the Neuse River as the place I truly grew up.


FIRST MARRIAGE? KIM: Yep! ZACH: First and Only! KIDS? (DO YOU WANT THEM OR DID YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM?) KIM: We have talked about having kids and maybe even adopting, but not for several more years. For now, we have three furry kids; Jonah, Jenny, and Daisy ZACH: We both love kids, and maybe one day will make a real decision on the topic, but for now 3 drooling dogs are enough! BEST PART OF BEING MARRIED? KIM: Not having to take out the trash! But seriously, even better than that, is having someone to make dinner with, binge Netflix next to on the couch, and travel the world by my side. ZACH: I would have to say that the best part is learning from each other to become a better person. We call each other out when we slip up and it’s a reality check people need. It’s like having a mirror in front of yourself everyday and the person reflects back to you the good, bad and the ugly. It makes you strive to be a better person out of the love you have and want to reflect to one another. Now that I think about it, I like my first answer more. BIGGEST CHALLENGE MARRIAGE? KIM: In our first two months of marriage, we bought and moved into a new house, spent two weeks in Guatemala, and then spent five days in the UNC Burn Unit after Zach had an accident. To say life was somewhat stressful at times is a total understatement. Learning how to deal with situations that were very hard- together- was lesson we had to learn right away. ZACH: When we DO call each other out, knowing to not be too abrasive is important. The biggest challenge is, same as I feel with most people, being respectful of each other’s ideas, wants, and needs. WORDS OF ADVICE FOR MARRIED COUPLES? KIM: Practice selflessness for each other. Put each other first, even when you don’t feel like it. Never forget the reasons you fell in love with one another. ALWAYS, kiss each other goodbye in the morning and hello in the afternoon! ZACH: My advice to others would be the same thing I am always working on: Stop interrupting each other and just listen to your spouse. WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE? KIM: When we first started dating, we saw a gentleman in a parking lot that couldn’t get his motorcycle to crank. Zach took the time to help this total stranger, solely out of the goodness of his heart. Right then, I knew he was the one for me. ZACH: My wife is an incredible woman. She is strong, selfless, and kind. Honestly, between her beautiful eyes, thoughtfulness towards me, and her dog that absolutely adores me, I couldn’t resist!