For us, it was our soulmate. For 12 seconds we stood next to each other, hardly saying anything after the initial hello. It was hardly a memorable event, but an event nonetheless. Two years later we met again at a cookout at Kelly’s, who Sydney has been friends with since the first day of Kindergarten. We talked for hours that evening and the only obvious ending to the story has led you to this page. Our love story hasn’t been “normal” by any means. For about two years we lived 2,591 miles apart because of Seth’s first job in Tehachapi, California. We took trips back and forth across the country and until June 2018, we had never lived in the same city at the same time. After Sydney finished graduate school she moved to Charlotte, NC where she now lives only 2.4 miles away from Seth. After dating for four years, six months and 11 days, Seth got on one knee, looked up into Sydney’s eyes, and asked her to be his wife. Our journey to this point has taught us to rely on God for guidance, strength, and faith, and to trust that His plan is perfect. Our desire to build our lives individually on God’s promises is now the foundation that we will use to build a life together. We are so excited to start this next chapter in our lives and to love each other forever, no matter what!

WHO THE HECK WAS THAT? – That, my friend, is your future husband. Let’s take it back to sophomore year of college. Sydney and I are standing in the elevator of my dorm heading up to my room to hang out and catch up. I can’t remember the date or the occasion, not that we ever needed one, but there we were in the elevator of my dorm. Seth lived in the same dorm and got in the elevator. Seth and I had been close friends since second semester of freshman year so we exchanged hellos. I forgot to introduce Sydney, so once Seth got off on his floor I looked over to her. Her eyes were as big as can be and she says “WHO THE HECK WAS THAT?” - It was love at first sight for Sydney. Fast forward to the fall of 2014. Syd came to Roanoke for a weekend to kick off senior year. The night started with a few drinks at a local bar with some of my closest friends, but no Seth. After a few guilt trip texts to Seth he met us at the bar and I finally introduced him to Sydney, 2 years after they had already “met” in the elevator. We ventured back to my house to hang outside and enjoy the weather. I noticed Sydney and Seth playing cornhole... by themselves... in the the dark. That’s when I knew they had made a connection. As the night ended, I texted Sydney saying I was going to bed and she responded with “I am going to marry this man.” And boy was she right. From that night, they began to build a relationship together. A relationship that grew and was tested with challenges but they stayed strong. Through all the ups and downs their love has remained true. Some could say it was love at first sight in the elevator, others could say it was fate that Seth decided to come out to the bar, OR some could say it was a best friend who knew that two incredible people would be great together. No matter what way you look at it, I consider myself extremely grateful to be a part of their love story. Congratulations to two of my favorite people, Sydney & Seth!