While there is some friendly debate as to the exact moment and setting in which we met, ultimately the Lord brought us together at our church, Christ Covenant. We were both enrolled in a six-week class studying spiritual disciplines. According to Savannah’s version of events (the correct version!), I recognized Doug from the class while he was sitting in front of me in the sanctuary. I introduced myself to include him in a conversation with a group of people also from the class, and a meet-cute was born. From there, we saw each other around church for a few months. In true Doug fashion, he first asked for my email “to exchange class notes” before eventually asking me out for coffee. Our one-hour coffee turned into a three-hour coffee, and not long after, we realized we never wanted our conversations to end.

The proposal story begins way back in 2017 when I (Doug) visited Versailles with my aunt. While exploring the grounds, I discovered le Temple de l'Amour, a neoclassical garden folly tucked away in the English Gardens. It was then that I thought to myself, “If I ever get engaged, I’d love to do it here.” Recognizing that it was probably wishful thinking, however, I forgot all about it until the summer of 2025 when I began planning my proposal to Savannah. After learning Savannah’s best friend, Isabel, and her family would be in Europe in the fall, I saw the perfect opportunity for a trip to Paris with us all together. I managed to persuade Savannah that a spontaneous trip to Paris was a good idea, and the stage was set. The morning of the engagement, we started the day exploring the town of Versailles. We browsed antique shops, wandered through markets, and spent time reflecting on our journey inside the historic Church of Notre Dame, Versailles. After touring the town, we made our way to the Petit Trianon and wandered outside toward le Temple de l’Amour. Just before proposing, I shared the real reason for the trip. I told Savannah about my first visit and the wish I had from years before, how thankful I am that the Lord brought us together, and my ultimate wish to never be apart. I got down on one knee and asked Savannah to marry me. She said yes! Our engagement celebration continued back in Paris over dinner and champagne with Isabel, Dillon, and Isabel’s dad. During dinner, a musical duet surprised us with an impromptu dance to "La Vie en Rose", Savannah's favorite song. The day will forever be a cornerstone in our family story, and it is a memory we will always cherish.

You may be wondering why we have selected Jacksonville for our wedding weekend. We are honored to get to be married at Epping Forrest Yacht Club. In addition to celebrating our marriage, Epping is also celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2026. Prior to becoming the yacht club, Epping belonged to relatives of Doug's family, the Mason's. We are excited to start our marriage with a piece of family history, and bring some of our guests back to a place they once enjoyed.