"I have found the one whom my soul loves," -Ephesians 3:4

Amanda is an army brat who calls Georgia "home". She attended the University of Georgia to pursue her passion of working with students with special needs and currently works as an elementary special education teacher. Tom was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia and he attended school at West Point in New York, where he branched Aviation with the U.S. Army. A journey of many ironies brought Amanda and Tom to the same small town in southern Alabama as Tom pursued his passion to fly and Amanda followed her own path starting her graduate degree and landing her first job as a high school teacher and swim coach. Tom and Amanda met at a little coffee shop in Enterprise, Alabama called Boldly Going. The first time they spoke to each other was when Amanda ordered a specifically bold coffee called a Hammerhead - it's a cup of coffee with a shot (or 3) of espresso poured in. This is Tom's go-to drink so when he heard Amanda order it, he jumped in and said, "I'm the only one who orders Hammerheads!" Amanda chuckled and the two went on about their days. A few days later, around the same time, both were back at the coffee shop and Tom reached out to say, "Let me guess... Hammerhead?" Amanda laughed again but before she got away for a second time, Tom got her number. They began to get to know each other with phone calls and text messages before their first date on February 9, 2018. Tom knew Amanda was the one following their first date. He was sold on her beauty and class, and the way that she challenged him even early on. Amanda was extremely cautious at first but learned rather quickly that Tom was a man she could trust, and they became best friends. The rest is history. They spent every single day together for nearly 8 months and then embraced a long-distance relationship as Amanda continued her teaching career north of Atlanta and Tom embarked on his journey to South Korea. Love > Distance, forever.

When Tom and Amanda went on their first date, they were coming from very different places. Amanda was determined not to get attached to anyone and was dating casually and frequently. Tom was the busiest he'd ever been with flight school and getting acquainted with the army after college. Amanda broke her own rule and let Tom come and pick her up - she never let anyone pick her up for a first date so she always had an easy escape. Of course, she wasn't ready when he arrived so he had to wait a while and in doing so met Lena. Lena is Amanda's very timid dog and she could see how patient Tom was from the way he interacted with her as early as the first date. Tom was a perfect gentleman on their date. He drove Amanda to his favorite restaurant in the area (there weren't many to choose from) and the two started to learn a little bit more about the lives they each led and the families that made them who they are. After dinner, neither were ready to end the date, so Tom suggested going to a local brewery for a few drinks, not too far from the restaurant. He forgot to mention that it was the most sketchy drive in all of Alabama (that's saying something) and Amanda stopped him mid conversation in the car to ask him if he was trying to kidnap her. They soon arrived to their favorite place in the state to this day, Folklore Brewing Company, where they shared some local creations and continued getting to know each other. When Amanda was too cold to stay out anymore, Tom brought her home and she invited him in to watch their (still) favorite show, Friends. Tom remained a perfect gentleman and the night ended with a hug and a "see you tomorrow," as they were already planning their next date. Tom was hooked, and Amanda was too - she cancelled eight other dates that were supposed to follow Tom's and immediately narrowed her focus to Tom. Tom and Amanda spent every single day together for eight months until their careers put a few miles between them. Love > Distance

The first time Amanda and Tom said "I love you" to each other was an accident. They both said it without thinking, at separate times, and hoped to God the other one didn't hear it because it wasn't "time" to say it. Amanda's accident slipped out first, as she said goodbye to Tom after dinner. She gave him a hug and a kiss, and then said "I love you" like she'd been saying it for years. With huge eyes and a panicked heart, she got into her car and had a mini panic as a) she had just let that slip, and b) Tom hadn't reacted at all. Did he hear her? She called her friend and told her what had happened and prayed Tom didn't hear it. A few days later, Tom was lounging while Amanda got ready for work (Tom was flying nights so he had a more leisurely morning). While she was sitting in front of the mirror applying her makeup, Tom said something and Amanda responded with a snarky comment that prompted Tom to stand up, kiss her on the cheek, and say "I love you". He said it, her eyes got big and he tried with all he had to take it back. A hundred words followed in a matter of seconds, with Tom covering it up and explaining that he didn't mean to say it without digging himself a hole. Amanda confessed that the same thing had happened to her just days before and he assured her that he hadn't heard it. The real one came in a sweet moment, the first time Amanda stayed with Tom at his parents' house in Marietta. In a tender conversation where the two discussed futures and all of the changes that were bound to come in the months that followed, Tom whispered a sweet and genuine "I love you". Amanda responded with a hug, a kiss, and a statement that they both favor to this day - "I have always known and I love you, too."

September was a busy month for both Amanda and Tom. Amanda was getting settled at a new job north of Atlanta and Tom was preparing to graduate flight school and move to South Korea. All the while, Tom was planning a proposal that would shock Amanda. Tom's graduation week was one that Amanda knew she'd never miss, so she planned to spend the week with him as they would attend his military ball, the graduation ceremony, and family day. When Tom asked Amanda to pin him, she was moved to tears and could think about nothing else. He had something else completely worked out and she had no idea. After graduation, Tom and Amanda worked tirelessly to get him packed as the army was coming to get his things to ship them to South Korea. Once they got his things packed up, they headed to the beach to meet his family for one more weekend under the sun before it got cold and Tom left the country. They spent hours on the beach and decided to go upstairs to get ready for a nice dinner out. Tom said he wanted to get beach pictures and Amanda began to argue with him, saying that everyone had just showered and they were going to get all sandy before dinner. She suggested that they wait until tomorrow but Tom insisted. When they headed for the beach, Amanda continued nagging Tom to pick a place because his grandmother was tired from a day at the beach and Amanda felt bad that Tom was making her walk further along the beach after she'd just gotten ready for dinner. They took a few posed pictures and Amanda turned to fix her hair for the photos and when she turned back around, Tom was on a knee. She was shocked! She knew a proposal might be in the works by the way that Tom started speaking about their future, but she had no idea it would be the weekend following his graduation from flight school. She was almost speechless but she said YES! They are incredibly grateful for you all - the people that have loved and supported them this far.

When Tom left for South Korea, he and Amanda were both messes. It is incredibly difficult to be apart from the people that you love, and even harder with a 14 hour time difference. They are continuing to grow closer in love despite the miles that separate them. Amanda and Tom designate certain hours of the day to talk with each other and have movie dates a few times every month. They've worked together to plan the wedding regardless of the struggles that long distance presents. Amanda and Tom thrive together because of their deep love of adventure. To some, flying to a new country is terrifying, but to Amanda and Tom, it's just another thing that they do. Amanda flew to South Korea to spend Christmas with Tom and they enjoyed every single second. Tom is came back in March to spend time with Amanda and attend the wedding of two of their best friends. In July Amanda is heading back to South Korea to spend the summer with Tom and they're heading to Thailand for a week in paradise to celebrate finally being reunited again. When Tom comes home in October, the two will find a house wherever the Army tells them to (currently they have no clue where that will be), and then they'll get married in November and begin a life together filled with adventure, love, laughter, and excitement. They are best friends. Anyone that has spent any time with them can feel the love that radiates between them and it is an honor to plan alongside them. Thank you for being part of such a special day for my sister and soon to be brother-in-law. Love to all, Amber