Blessing of the Vows

Our love story, while not necessarily your run-of-the-mill, cinematic, love-at-first-sight kind of story, was a gradual one. One that eventually bloomed into a story that will be written for the rest of our lives. The beginning was to be written in the summer of 2018, when Mitchell Autrey made the significant move to Mississippi from the faraway land of Alaska and met Corrie Hung. It was through our church we were predestined to meet. Even though a part of the same young adult group, months went by as only a few hellos and how are yous slowly progressed into real conversation. Her interest having sparked over time and only burning brighter, Corrie saw in Mitch a potential friendship and if God willing, something more. Recalling our recent conversation of a hobby we shared and after some encouragement from a mutual friend, Corrie asked Mitch if he would be game for some tennis. Without hesitation he said yes. We hit it off, a match made in heaven.

Eleven months’ worth of memories later, we overcame life’s realities as a couple riddled with job changes, long distance, issues of the heart, compromise, breaking down walls, while at the same time we experienced immense joy, endless inside jokes, pure laughter, deeper understanding, and love that only grew richer each day. More than anything, our relationship was profoundly rooted in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding”. Then, at last, we were nearing our one-year anniversary. But the fateful day was a few weeks before. It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm fall day, and Mitch asked Corrie if she would be game for some tennis. She happily agreed, and they went to the very same courts where it all began over a year ago. After warming up and hitting a few, they took a water break and talked for a bit at the bench. Then, before she knew it, he pulled out a ball sleeve, removed the lid revealing the ring inside the top tennis ball, got down on one knee, and proposed for her hand in marriage, asking if she was game to be his tennis partner for life. She said yes without hesitation. And the rest is history.

With anticipation and excitement, we had our sights set on June 13th as the day of our wedding. Then, before we knew it, a pandemic swept the nation and placed a pall over everything—our routine, plans, work, and daily life. The only thing it didn't place a pall over was our strong desire to marry. We went ahead and tied the knot at a private ceremony in Mitch’s parents’ beautiful neighborhood on April 14th and confirmed the wedding reception to be on August 1st, hoping COVID would have passed on by then, and everyone would celebrate with us that summer. Well, COVID didn’t quite pass on ... We postponed the celebration yet again to April 17th of next year. Then, in a wonderful twist of events, Corrie became pregnant with Chloe Mitchell, who was due in that very month. Now with sweet Chloe in our lives, we are currently anticipating and planning our Blessing of the Vows celebration taking place this fall with everyone we love, together in one place! Even after three postponements for the 13th of June, 1st of August, and yet again 17th of April, we refuse to let COVID-19 rain on our parade—so with that said, mark November 5th on your calendar!