Our Favorite Story To Tell
Lanier's Version
Groom
One Friday evening, my brother Cooper and I grabbed dinner in Virginia Highlands — a spot I rarely went. We ended up at Highland Tap, sitting at the bar. We’d just gotten our food when a group behind us tried to get the bartender’s attention. One of them stepped between our seats and said, “Do y’all mind if I interrupt your dinner to grab a drink?” We said, “No problem,” and a conversation followed. While she waited, we introduced ourselves — her name was Sydney (with a Y). Funny enough, that’s my name too, but with an I. She chatted with Cooper, who mentioned he was 25 and that his brother was way older — “like 15 years” (really 12). That caught Sydney’s attention. She said she had an “older” roommate who was also single. I thought she was joking, so I played along. She described her roommate — smart, funny, the full package. I said, “Sure, let’s meet up,” and got her number. I also bought Sydney and her friends a drink for the pleasant conversation — and, unknowingly, for introducing me to my future wife. Over the next week, we texted and set up a blind double date for the next Friday. Carly came with Sydney, and I brought my friend Eric. We met at Moe’s & Joe’s — and Sydney was right. Carly was smart, funny, the full package, and we instantly hit it off. Little did I know, Carly had a mutual friend who knew my family and had already done her due diligence. That was October 2023 — and by Christmas, she was at the family gathering. End of story.
Carly's Version
Bride
At the time, I was living with my roommate Sydney - 7 years younger than me & always out & about. We’d only lived together about 8 months & hadn’t known each other beforehand, a small detail that makes our story even sweeter. One night, she came home from Virginia Highlands & said, “Hey Carly, I gave your number to a guy last night.” My first thought was, “Oh my gosh!” Right before I met Lanier, my dating life was exhausting. I kept reaching for values & authenticity in a partner — qualities that felt rare in modern dating. I started to wonder if what I prayed for even existed. And then came Lanier. After a few texts & scheming, Sydney decided we were going to “just happen” to be at Moe’s & Joe’s that Friday before Halloween — & have Lanier meet us there. As soon as Lanier walked in, there was something intentional, calm, & grounded about him — & yes, handsome too — familiar in a way that drew me in. We quickly realized we shared many mutual connections, yet had never crossed paths. The next weekend, he showed up for our first date, Southern accent & all. He arrived just as he was, nothing more than himself, & somehow it was everything I didn’t know I needed. He was intentional in everything he did, showing up with honesty, integrity, & loyalty to the values we shared. I knew this was the love I’d been praying for. God’s timing was woven through every bit of our story. Ever since the beginning, there’s been an ease to us that felt like home - my favorite story to tell.
