Kindergarten teachers hold a dear place in the hearts of many. They make childhood extra special, sprinkling the magic of creativity and love on their students, nurturing them into wonderful adults. That’s why a lot of kids rush to make the prettiest mug or draw the prettiest picture for their teachers’ special days. Catie Corken decided to take it one step further – she surprised her beloved students by inviting them to her wedding and making it an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Catie Corken, a beloved 34-year-old kindergarten teacher, had been teaching at her school for the last nine years. She is adored by her colleagues and students, who warmly welcomed her fiancé, Kevin, into the community. When Catie proposed the idea of a surprise wedding at the Good Shepherd School’s church, Kevin quickly agreed. The couple wanted to make their wedding day not only special for themselves but also for their cherished students.
The inspiration for getting married at the school came from other teachers' experiences of having students sing at their weddings. Coincidentally, their chosen wedding date, February 2nd, aligned with Catholic School Week. Seeing how everything fell into place, Catie decided to have two weddings – one on the original date and another on February 1st.
“Our friends and family wedding fell during the week of Catholic Schools Week where every day is a different dress-up day. It seemed like the perfect fit to have the kids think it was ‘Fancy Surprise Day’ and then show up to our wedding during the school day,” shared Catie.
Planning the surprise wedding involved the entire school community. The students had no idea about the surprise awaiting them. When Father Ben announced to the church and the kids that they were there to attend Miss Corken's wedding, the room fell into silence before erupting with excitement. It was a moment filled with joy, love, and surprise.
The newlyweds later admitted that although their second wedding with just friends and family was beautiful, it was hard to top their first surprise wedding. Kevin recalled being just outside the door when the announcement was made, hearing the kids try to process the news. He described the subsequent eruption of excitement as the place went crazy.
The love and support from the entire school community were overwhelming for Catie and Kevin. Seeing how incredible their surprise wedding turned out exceeded their wildest dreams. The couple received a warm cheer and congratulations from the students, setting a high standard for future weddings they may attend.
Following the heartfelt ceremony filled with beautiful vows and confessions of love, the newlyweds were surprised again. As they entered a school hallway, they were greeted by a line of students cheering them on with shiny pom-poms and spirited chants of 'L-O-V-E!'
Rachel Johnson, the Director of Advancement at Good Shepherd, expressed her delight and joy at the surprise wedding, emphasizing the meaningful relationships forged at the school. The teachers and staff know every child, and the families get to know the teachers as well. The celebration of Catie and Kevin's love was a moment the students would cherish for the rest of their lives.
Looking back at their incredible wedding day, Catie and Kevin are still on cloud nine. The sheer joy and excitement they witnessed from the students left them smiling bigger than ever before. The couple was overwhelmed by the support and happiness radiating from every single child in the school. They feel immensely blessed and fortunate to have experienced such a magical wedding celebration.
The story of Catie and Kevin's surprise wedding spread like wildfire on the internet, receiving an outpouring of positive comments. Many people shared their own experiences of attending their teacher's wedding as a meaningful and special moment from their childhood.
This heartwarming tale serves as a reminder of the remarkable impact teachers have on their students' lives. Catie not only taught her students reading and counting but also showed them what a celebration of true love looks like. The memories created on that special day will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the students and their beloved teacher.
Have you ever attended your teacher's wedding or another big celebration?
