Going to the chapel

Our story does not begin with us. It begins with a friendship between two families, the Modzelewskis and the Donahues. Lisa Modzelewski and Karen Donahue have been best friends for as long as we can remember. From early morning runs to dinner parties and everything in between, their lifelong friendship naturally grew into their kids becoming friends too. Jane Donahue and Luke went to the same high school, where Jane drove Luke to school every day while playing the very best 2010s girl music. Taylor Swift, Fifth Harmony, and of course One Direction. Little did Luke know that this music would follow him long after high school. Years later, Gaby met Jane in graduate school after her four years at Auburn University. War Eagle. They quickly became best friends. Gaby was soon attending Donahue family dinners, riding to graduate school with Jane each day, and standing beside her as a bridesmaid just a year later. From early on, Jane insisted that Luke was someone Gaby needed to meet. While Jane was busy playing matchmaker, Luke was busy being completely oblivious to her repeated invitations to visit North Carolina. Eventually, a weekend finally worked for everyone. Just a simple dinner. How hard could it be? As it turns out, very hard for Luke. He was so nervous around such a beautiful girl that he temporarily forgot his well developed skill of being normal and was convinced he had blown his chance. Over the years, Gaby and Luke continued to see each other in group settings and always enjoyed their time together. Each kept the other in the back of their mind, but neither was interested in long distance dating. Or so they thought. Gaby later put Ross in touch with Luke since they both lived in Virginia. Unbeknownst to her, this led to the two becoming roommates, which Luke was secretly excited over the possibility of Gaby visiting. Naturally, this gave Gaby a perfect reason to visit. On August 29th, she did. That weekend, they bonded over their shared love of country music, Italian food, and cooking for friends and family. By the end of the visit, they made it official. Long distance became short distance. Late night phone calls became late night dinner conversations. And a love that began with a simple weekend visit grew into exactly what we had always dreamed of. Our story is one shaped by the people we love most bringing us together, and it continues as a celebration of what has been given to us and all that lies ahead.