Why the name Emmalee

I don’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t look forward to being married and starting a family. I spent countless hours doodling my future family – drawing my future husband, usually four kids, and the family dog. I always had a list of potential names for my children. A few names came and went, but one always stuck: Emma.

I have loved the name Emma for a long time now. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith’s wife, Emma, but that wasn’t really why I wanted to have a daughter named Emma. I didn’t know the why of Emma until I met Matthew Havertz.

I knew very quickly that I wanted to marry Matthew. I was immediately drawn to him because of the spirit he carried. I could tell right away that he was a great man, one who loved the Lord completely. On our first date, we talked about our families. He told me about the passing of his mother when he was 11 years old, and that of his little sister when he was 17. I could tell that Matthew had a strong testimony about the Plan of Salvation. He knew that family relationships are “perpetuated beyond the grave.”

Matthew's little sister, Emmalee

Matthew’s little sister who passed away is named Emmalee. When I found out about the spelling of her name, and as Matthew and I progressed in our relationship, it became clear to me why “Emma” had always been my favorite name. Matthew and I agreed that we would name our first daughter Emmalee, after his sister, and call her Emma.

The name Emma has become even more special to me as I learned about Emmalee.

Emmalee was diagnosed with liver cancer when she was eight, and died when she was nine years old. I never met her, but I feel a special love for her. My father in-law wrote about Emmalee’s life in his book Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee. When I read that book, I am amazed at the strength Emmalee had during such a trying experience. Throughout her fight with cancer, she was brave, honest, funny, and kind.

I feel honored to be able to name my daughter after such a remarkable girl. Matthew and I will teach Emma that she was named after someone who was brave, honest, fun, and kind.

I love the name Emma, and now I know why: I love Emmalee.

I am grateful for Heavenly Father’s tender mercies. He, through something as simple as a name, has brought heaven a little closer to my heart. The name Emma is now tied to two of my angels – my sister and my daughter.    

Our Wedding

For Christmas, Matthew's grandma gave us a book with stories from her family history.  While reading it, I was touched by the record of her wedding day. Being married only a little over two months, I decided to write a blog post about our wedding. Hopefully this will be something that will be fun for Matthew and I to read, and be of interest to our future children and grandchildren. 

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The Wedding Date 

Matthew and I were married on December 18, 2014.  While talking about getting married, we considered doing it in late December or early January.  However, the 18^th of December kept sticking out to us.

December 18^th, 1980 was the day that my parents really stared their relationship.  Our family calls it “5^th Avenue Day”.  While at the BYU bookstore, Dad saw Mom and her friend in line.  He asked them if they’d ever eaten a 5^th Avenue candy bar.  Neither of them had, and Dad bought one for each of them.  While walking out of the bookstore, Dad got Mom’s number, and their relationship grew from there.  Mom still has the wrapper from that original 5^th Avenue Candy. 

Ever since I can remember, we have celebrated December 18th by eating 5^th Avenues and watching movies.  December 18^th, 1980 was a significant day for the 

Hunt Family.  It felt right to be married on the same day that my parents fell for each other.  Matthew agreed with me and we planned on being married on December 18^th, 2014 at 10:00 AM.

5^th Avenues were served at our luncheon.

The Temple

Matthew and I met in the Bountiful, Utah temple, so it would have made sense for us to get married there.  But during our courtship, we went to the open house of the remodeled Ogden, Utah temple.  While going through the temple, I was awed by its beauty.  Walking through the bridal room I imagined myself in there.  Holding hands with my sweetheart while walking on the grounds of the Ogden temple confirmed to me that that is where I wanted to get married.  Matthew had the same feeling.  

Wedding Colors

I am surprised at how may people asked us what our wedding colors were going to be! 

I had spent most of my teenage years dreaming about my future wedding, and so I had plenty ideas of what I wanted.  For some reason I was really nervous to tell Matthew what colors I would like.  One day, I sent him a picture of colors I liked.  He liked them a lot!  We chose  were royal blue, sky blue, mint, and white. 

Photographer

As I've mentioned, I’ve dreamed about my wedding for a long time.  About six years ago, I came across Cascio Photography – a Utah photographer.  My best friend Raegan and I would spend hours looking at the bridals, engagement, and wedding albums Brittany Cascio put up.  After getting engaged, Mom called Brittany and scheduled an engagement session.  I was surprised that Mom remembered my favorite photographer!  Brittany did both our engagement and wedding photos, which Matthew and I love! 

Wedding Luncheon

We had our luncheon at the Grand View Reception Center in Ogden, literally across the street from the Ogden temple.  My mom put together the decorations.  We had tasty pork and chicken sandwiches, salad, potato casserole, fruit punch, and a dessert bar.  Matthew’s grandparents surprised us by getting hot chocolate for everyone while they waited for Matthew and I to finish taking pictures.

Matthew and I both performed musical numbers at the luncheon.  I have played the flute since I was eight years old, and Mom loved listening to me play.  For about a month before the wedding, Dad and I secretly practiced an arrangement of “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” for the flute and piano.  We pulled off the surprise!  Dad and I played together at the luncheon, bringing my sweet mom to tears.

Matthew began writing a song at my house a couple of days after we met.  That song developed as our relationship progressed.  He finished the song and sang it for me on my birthday.  He sang the song at our luncheon, and I remember feeling so lucky to have a man love me enough to write a song just for me.

Reception

We had our reception at the LDS Chapel Matthew and I went to for our YSA ward.  My mom did SO much preparation for the reception!  For our backdrop, we had a wooden palate with lights and plants.  The centerpieces were vases with twigs, water, and candles  (we went for a wooden-wintery theme).  The food was delicious!  We had hot chocolate, apple juice, donuts, cake bites, and so many other things that I don’t remember them all.  We were in line for two hours straight, with no break in the line.  I am so grateful for everyone who came to show support for our new adventure! 

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Over the last two months, Matthew and I have talked often about our wedding.  We wouldn’t change a thing about it!  While I will always cherish the details of our wedding, nothing is more important to me than being married in the House of God with His Authority: being in the temple with my best friend, knowing that our marriage would be eternal, was the highlight of that special day.