Love is...

We invited about 120 people and are not sure about our estimated number as of yet. Currently, wedding venues are allowed to have 100 people including staff. We are unsure what will be allowed by the state and venue and still waiting on RSVPs. If things stay as they are, we will probably have a maximum of 80 guests and 20 venue staff for the 100 person limit. We encourage everyone to bring a mask and will have disposal masks and a lot of hand sanitizer available. The ceremony and photos will be outdoors. As of now, our cocktail hour and reception will be indoors with open doors and windows (weather permitting) to promote airflow. We plan to create a list of people and track vaccination status for our own records so that we can better assess our overall risk level. While we recognize that getting the COVID vaccination is a very personal decision, we encourage each person attending to do their part and consider getting the vaccine prior to the event so that everyone in attendance can feel as safe as possible.

During the Spring 2014 semester at George Mason University, Taylor and Kathryn met in a leadership class for soon-to-be Resident Assistants. Kathryn thought Taylor was obnoxiously into it (they still are) and Taylor could hardly remember Kathryn's name. Though the class did not bring them together, their time in that course and then as RAs over the next few years planted the seeds that ended up blossoming into the loving, patient, and adventurous relationship they have today. In Fall 2015, Taylor and Kathryn's friendship grew with the help of mutual friends and they began to care for and trust one another in powerful ways. On November 14th, 2015, several months of flirting and hand-holding culminated in a first kiss. While Taylor sheepishly leaned in to kiss Kathryn on the cheek, Kathryn took the opportunity to show Taylor that she was ready to explore whatever was happening between them. Kathryn likes to be clear that she, technically, made the first official move. The beginning of their relationship was tough, filled with doubt, and quite uncertain in terms of the future. However, Taylor and Kathryn's love has always been defined by persistence, commitment, and strength to endure whatever life throws their way. They lived long distance from DC to Raleigh and then Raleigh to Boston, but never let the miles between them stand in their way of making it work. Today, Kathryn and Taylor live as a family with their dogs, Sophie and Ray Charles. They are both passionate about their work, which frequently intersects, and grow together personally and professionally. They like to travel to new and unique places, try new things, and snuggle at home with the pups. On any given weekend, you can find Taylor and Kathryn on a hike in a new area, heading to the beach, or spending time with close friends. They are so excited about their future together and cannot wait to celebrate it with the many friends and family that have supported their love along the way!

Taylor knew that they wanted to ask Kathryn the big question after finishing grad school. When they moved to Boston in May 2018, they started to figure out the perfect way to pop the question. Taylor started in Boston's Back Bay, where they found the perfect ring at Shreve, Crump, & Low on Newbury St. They went back and visited the park they were planning to propose at, Piers Park in East Boston. The park itself is a very special location for Kathryn and Taylor. When Kathryn first moved to Boston in August 2017, she and Taylor stayed in their friend's apartment in East Boston, just several blocks from the park. Taylor and Kathryn stumbled upon the park on their first stroll in Boston. They looked out at the beautiful view of the city skyline, moments before Kathryn set on an adventure that Taylor would finally join in just 8 months. Even with the time in between, it was clear that this was going to be home. Taylor wanted to recreate the feeling of looking forward to forever. They brought Kathryn back to Piers Park, walked to the end of the dock, and finally asked Kathryn the question they've been waiting for since day one...and (spoiler alert) she said yes! Taylor and Kathryn celebrated the evening by heading to Downeast Cider House and then eating some authentic Salvadoran & Mexican food in Eastie. With golden hour photos and Kathryn's genuine surprise, it was the perfect evening!

We would like to acknowledge that our wedding is scheduled on Juneteenth. For those who may not know, Juneteenth commemorates the official end to slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and all slaves had been emancipated. This came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Texas had previously disregarded the proclamation due to the minimal influence of Union policies on the state at the time, but when General Robert E. Lee surrendered in April 1865, there was finally enough Union influence to enforce the executive order. This is an important day in United States history and is particularly significant to our Black and African American friends. Given the ongoing impact of racism in our society and the events that occurred on this date, we found it important to acknowledge and honor our country's effort to move towards liberation and a more equal society. There is still much work to be done, and we hope you will join us in commemorating the importance of this date. For more information about Juneteenth, you can visit this website: https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm To learn what actions you can take in support and celebration of black lives, visit the Movement for Black Lives at https://m4bl.org/take-action/