Wedding Date on Aug 26, 2016

From The Bride: Brandon and I had family connections, so we have known each other for most of our lives. He and my cousin were class mates and grew up together in a small town. Although they were a few years older than me, on my many visits I was always the “Tom Girl” who played with the boys. As we grew older because of our age difference, we went though a period of 10 years or more where we really did not have much contact. So let’s fast forward to our family Christmas of 2014. Brandon was working as a dentist in my uncle’s practice, and I inquired about him. My cousin “enthusiastically” encouraged me to reach out to him while I was in town. So that very evening we began a Facebook conversation which led to phone calls and texts the next day. Since my birthday was the following week, I invited Brandon to Nashville where we had our very first date. There begins our story! We began a long distance relationship, which eventually blossomed into our love story. Over many months and many miles we discovered our enjoyment of each other and our interests – especially photography and singing together. In addition, we have successfully worked though obstacles that have made us stronger as a couple. But most of all, I have learned that Brandon has a servant’s heart and exhibits a selfless attitude toward me and others. Daily he challenges me to achieve my best and encourages me in all that I do. He is truly my best friend, and I am blessed to call him mine! I had flown over to Italy for a visit with some of my friends. A few days later Brandon came and surprised me with a real life storybook engagement. Soon after his arrival, we departed for Le Pignole vineyard in northern Italy for dinner and a wine tasting. Being a photographer we decided to go down into the vines to take some photographs and drone footage. Our friends, who live in Italy, suggested to the owner of the vineyard that we should have a tasting down in the vines. ( Of course all of this had been planned, but I was clueless.) The owner brought down these two beautiful vintage hand blown wine glasses into which he proceeded to pour the wine. The ring secured to the bottom of one glass was cleverly hidden by the owner’s hand and passed discretely off to Brandon. As I started to take a sip Brandon showed me a ring on his glass saying, “Well, look what I have here!” I was shocked, and could not believe this was seriously happening! He started telling me all these sweet things, and all I wanted to say was, “YES YES YES!” Dropping to his knee, he asked me to be his bride placing the ring of my dreams on my finger. This was more than I could ever imagine – the Italian countryside in a vineyard with my true love!