We swiped right!

Due to COVID-19, we have decided to postpone our in-person reception. We plan to have an intimate ceremony this year that we are making plans to stream live or use some type of video conferencing service. We are looking forward to celebrating with you all virtually on September 5, 2020 and a smaller group in person on June 26, 2021 in Memphis. Please keep an eye out for updates. Wedding Guests - If you haven't completed a contact form, please complete this contact information form as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/2NZvTupXxhJgc94H7 Join us virtually on September 5th at 2:30 PM online https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NoKuZHF9MMCMJbzzp5ZFQ

I decided to create an account on Bumble dating app during the summer of 2018. When I saw Gwendy’s profile, I did a “quick pic” review and read her profile statement...Then, I did something that connected me to the love of my life - I placed my index finger firmly on my iPhone screen and confidently swiped right. The next day, she messaged me and things got really interesting. We talked through the app for about an hour and the vibe was really nice, so I asked for her number. When I called, she answered and her voice sounded as beautiful as she looked in her pictures. Anyone who’s used a dating app before knows that isn’t always the case. When I asked about her plans for the day, she told me about this intensive salsa dance class she was taking. In an effort to connect, I told her that salsa dancing was cool and I used words like “meringue” and Bachata. I had no idea she was going to invite me to a dance party at the end of the class that night. [Gwendy here - A mutual acquaintance was the party host who vouched for Michael.] When I got the invite, I immediately said yes…then reality set in. It was too late to get a haircut and, I definitely couldn’t salsa dance. So, I decided to put on a shirt to show her that my profile pic muscles were legit, some black jeans and some casual boots...[When I arrived,] I saw her dancing and said to myself, “I’m in trouble.” Once we connected, she wanted to dance. However, Gwendy failed to inform me that I needed dance shoes or at least, semi-slippery shoes. While trying to learn the dance moves, my boots were screeching like I was playing basketball at the gym. Nevertheless, we had fun! The next time Gwendy saw me, I had a fresh haircut and she seemed relieved. She said I had an uncle stache when we first met, Lol. Gwendy has made my life more beautiful, exciting, well-rounded, and lovingly unpredictable. She is everything I never knew to ask for and undeniable proof of how much God loves me.

Executive Summary (as told by Gwendy) January of 2019 - Michael asked me what type of rings I like and asked me to look at some places. On February 15, 2019 on our extended Valentine's date, Michael and I went ring window shopping. A month later, he asked me to send him spreadsheet with ring types ranked to help him pick out a ring for me. A year and a couple of weeks later, Michael surprised me after a Saturday evening church service with family & friends at Hope Church. He had a book full of some of our firsts (pictures, receipts, text messages) and other sentimental memories, including some with just the guys (he and Nathan). He said a lot of sweet words - he's really sentimental and remembers a lot; my eyes may have gotten watery; then he said he had three questions (that he had me read): 1. Do you know what year it is? 2020...Leap Year 2. Do you know what day it is? Saturday...Leap Day 3. Are you ready to take a ________ ...Leap. Michael then got on his knee and asked me to marry him. I said "yes, babe."