WE GOT MARRIED!

We are humbled that God has been so good and honored to include you in our wedding celebration! You can read more about our story, stay updated on wedding details, and check out our registry information. So have fun, take a look around and don’t forget to RSVP by May 7th! We can't wait to celebrate with you on our wedding day! With love, Austin & Jenn

I first noticed Jenn on social media. I remembering thinking that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman and being drawn to her. But because we had never actually met, I concluded that it was very unlikely that we would ever even become friends. I remember telling God that if this was to happen it would have to be his doing. I was not going to chase after a woman I did not know based on what I saw online. So I basically gave it up. Years later, we met through a mutual friend after a church service. Over the next year and a half our paths crossed a few more times and, long before I admitted that I liked her again, Jenn had an intuition. She knew I was the one. I held out for a several more months, always making sure I never hung around her too long lest I catch feelings. One night, at a fall party at the same church where we originally met, I saw her and struck up a conversation. I remember it was short and ended a little abruptly because we were both with friends and it was a little loud because of the music and all the people. I went home a little later hoping that we could finish our conversation. Much to my delight, she messaged me after I got home and basically said that she too would love to continue the conversation. So, that Saturday evening, we met at Starbucks to finish it. We met at 6:30 and didn't leave until 3 hours later. That was the first time I got a glimpse into who she really was. I was drawn to her heart and I knew that I had to get to know her. This was October 19th, 2019. We started dating on December 6th of the same year. I asked her to marry me on November 14th, 2020 and she said, "Yes! Of course!" Ours is not the story of a knight on a white horse and a princess in a castle. In fact, there are more stories like it. But ours is unique in that Jennifer McFarlane agreed to do life with me, Austin Smoker. It is living proof of the grace, forgiveness, patience, and peace of our Heavenly Father. We are forever grateful for His rich favor.

11.14.2020. When Austin made dinner reservations and picked me up in his uncle's antique truck with a dozen red roses riding shotgun, I just knew what was coming. :) He hadn’t exactly been subtle when he was making plans for that Saturday evening. While the timing of the proposal wasn't a huge surprise to me, I was not expecting to hear Austin sing the song he had written for me a year ago right after coffee at Starbucks. It was the first time I heard or knew anything of it and I'll never forget one line: "If love is a season, you're the middle of fall." He finished the first verse, laid his guitar to the side, and reached for the ring. When he got down on one knee and asked, "Will you marry me?" I was ready with my best, best YES! I'd marry him everyday. I knew a long time ago forever wouldn't be long enough. The ring was sweet and symbolic and more beautiful than I had envisioned! Austin's cousin-in-law, Kelly, documented the proposal for us. A few months before he asked me if I would want a photographer there and I didn't have a strong preference either way but in hindsight I am so glad he booked one! The sweetest moments of my life are frozen in time.

We picked the twelfth of June for its historical significance. On this day in 1967, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in the Loving vs. Virginia case that struck down 16 remaining state bans on interracial marriage. Prior to this it was illegal for interracial couples to marry in many states including Virginia where Richard and Mildred Loving lived. After returning home from Washington DC where they were married, they were informed that they were breaking the law and were arrested and placed in jail. Attorney Bernard Cohen would eventually take the Lovings case to the Supreme Court and win in their favor. The date of the ruling, June 12 is popularly known across the country as "Loving Day." There's was a love story that changed history but not without great struggle. We are grateful for and want to acknowledge those who have sacrificed so we can stand here today.