Ceremony: The Cathedral of the Incarnation 2015 West End Ave Nashville, TN 37203 Reception: The Parthenon 2500 West End Ave Nashville, TN 37203

Philip and Grace met 20 years ago in the 7th grade. Philip attended Montgomery Bell Academy, an all-boys college preparatory school, and Grace attended the all-girls' Harpeth Hall School. The "brother-sister" school relationship meant that the two often found themselves linked through social events, mixers, and especially the iconic Friday night football games. Their proximity to one another was relatively high, since Philip was a kicker for the MBA football team, and Grace was one of their cheerleaders. The two became acquaintances and even friends, but after graduation, the two went their separate ways. Philip went on to UNC Chapel Hill, Austin, TX, then back to Nashville: Grace to Auburn, then joined the United States Air Force, then settled back in Nashville. It was here, in the place they were raised, that they "re-met." Grace arrived to the hostess stand at SoHo house to check in for a dinner with friends and spotted a very handsome man sitting in the lounge area. She told her friends, "we're not sitting in the dining room," pointing over toward the empty couch facing the party of boys in the lounge, she said "we're sitting right there." After hours of exchanging glances, giving the boys ample opportunities to engage them in conversation, the girls decided to depart-- they had to be up early for work and declined to wait around on the boys to make a move. As soon as they made their way toward the exit, the handsome guy said, "hey Grace." Though she had no prior clue who this mystery man was throughout the night, as soon as he called her by name, her memory came flooding back. She exclaimed, "Spelman!?" "Philip Spelman?" The two caught up briefly before the girls departed. Later that month, Philip would take Grace on a date, followed by a Saturday Vanderbilt football game. Somewhere between the excitement of learning who each other had become and the comfort of familiarity, they found respect, friendship, and a deep alignment in personal values. Underneath the Banner Elk, NC sky, they fell in love, both feeling at home in nature, realizing home could also be found in each other. Their love strengthened over months of being tested by travel (from NYC to Japan), career transitions, and learning one another. It didn't take them long to decide they wanted to keep choosing each other, to unite their families, and create their own someday. Philip proposed to Grace in Hilton Head, SC, a special place for the Spelman family and also where the Albritton parents honeymooned over 30 years ago. With their loved ones together to celebrate Thanksgiving, it was the perfect setting to pop the question and make their commitment official. Grace and Philip are thankful for all the support that has brought them to this point, and they are excited to share in the continuation of God's adventure for them with you!