She Gave Him Her Kidney, He Gave Her His Heart

Get your tissue box -- this Black Walnut Point Inn wedding will make your heart melt.

The couple: Brent Spurry, Jr. and Claire Rekitzke

Wedding date: June 8, 2019

Number of guests: 170

Adorable detail: A bounce house for their nieces and nephews

// Beans and Banter

Claire Rekitzke and Brent Spurry had been seeing each other for a long time—that is, from across the counter at Rise Up Coffee, where Rekitzke worked and Brent was a twice-a-day customer. “He was one of the friendliest people I’d ever met,” Claire says. “Always ready to ask an intriguing question or [slip the baristas a huge tip]” for his go-to, a medium drip with a splash of almond milk. But, secretly, Brent had more in mind than simply sating his caffeine fix. He had developed a crush on this sunny barista, and, after a year of beans and banter, finally worked up the courage to ask her out.

// First Impressions

Leading up to their first date, Claire wasn’t in the best of moods. “I had had a really busy day and was running late,” she says. “I honestly wasn’t really looking forward to it.” But Brent’s charm turned out to be irresistible, and, by the end of an alfresco dinner at Limoncello, she was completely smitten.

// A Perfect Match

They hadn’t been dating long—just six months—when Brent, who had no previous health issues, suddenly went into complete kidney failure. “We stayed in the hospital for a week or so, not knowing what the future had in store,” Claire recalls. Brent began spending 15 hours a week in dialysis, and monthly trips to Baltimore to see specialists became his new, exhausting routine. After 10 months of treatment, it was evident that Brent needed a new kidney, so, without telling her beau, Claire signed up to get tested. “A month later, we found out I was a perfect match!” she says. Brent received Claire’s kidney on October 19, 2018, with their friends and family supporting them through every step of the process.

// Champagne & Chicken Noodle Soup

Three months later, Claire had planned to go on a solo vacation, so Brent organized a romantic farewell dinner for the night before her departure. But with both of them still recovering from the kidney transplant, they ended up canceling their plans last-minute. As they walked to the car that evening, Brent told Claire how grateful he was for her flexibility. Then, he dropped to one knee, and a terrified Claire thought Brent was having a heart attack! Fortunately, she quickly reassessed the situation—he was proposing—and they celebrated with champagne and chicken noodle soup.

// This Place Feels Like Home

Claire and Brent decided to have their wedding at the Black Walnut Point Inn because of its beautiful landscape and relaxing ambience. “I wanted a venue where our friends and family could get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” Claire says. “[Owners] Bob and Tracy were so much fun to work with,” she adds. “Along with my amazing mother, they made my vision come to life.”

// Pancake Party

One of Claire and Brent’s traditions as a couple was going out for breakfast on Sundays after church, so they decided to treat their guests to a sweet and savory spread of chocolate chip pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, fresh fruit, cereal, hash browns, and bacon. For dessert, The Wine Bar served up chocolate trufflesand Two If By Sea provided cake.

// Wedding Library

Before meeting Brent, Claire didn’t think she would ever get married, so coming up with an aesthetic for the day was tough. To let Black Walnut Point’s gardens shine, she stuck to simple decor and chose a natural color palette: emerald green for bridesmaid dresses, ivory, and black. Keleidoscope Custom Florals swathed each table in moss and Claire and her mom collected old candelabras, long, black candles, and books at antique stores to function as centerpieces. “I wanted the decorations to be something I’d keep forever, rather than something that would be wasted,” she explains. For books, Claireincluded favorites from the Harry Potter series as well as Angela’s Ashes, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Ragamuffin Gospel.

// The Details

Bar: Town & Country // Bouncy House: Grand Rental Station // Bride's gown: Lis Simon (designer), Dryden Dress Co. (shop) // Bride's hair & makeup: Kristin Gurkin, Serendipity Salon // Bride's jewelry: Agave Arts & Juicing // Bridesmaid dresses: Lulus // Caterer: Two If By Sea // Favors: Fisher's Popcorn // Florals: Keleidoscope Custom Florals // Invitations: Jamie Wheeler Designs // Men's attire: JoS. A. Bank // Music: Kentavius Jones (ceremony), DJ Ricky/Crow Entertainment (reception) // Photography: Allison King Creative // Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents & Events // Rings: Jared, TNT Jewelers