WE’RE GETTING MARRIED! (finally)

Our story begins with an energetic 8-year-old named Sarah and a very shy but smiley 10-year-old boy named Vernon living right next door to each other in Valrico, FL. Their families introduced them as they played outside one afternoon and from there, they knew this was a lifetime friendship. Each day Sarah would knock on Vernon's front door and ask his parents if he could play. She always sat patiently in the driveway waiting for the garage to open and for Vernon to pass her the basketball for a few hours of one-on-one or just to chat. Middle School came and went, now it was off to high school. After moving away from each other and attending different schools, they still kept in touch. On February 17, 2012, Sarah asked their mutual friend Kristi, who also only lived a few houses down from their old homes if she could text Vernon and let him know that Sarah had a crush on him. Within a few minutes, Sarah received a text from Vernon asking if she would be his girlfriend!

On Sarah’s birthday, December 19th, 2019, Vernon made sure that all of their family and friends were gathered together to enjoy a dinner and toast to another year of life (so she thought). Extremely clueless, Vernon picked Sarah up from work that day and drove her back home for what Sarah thought was just another small birthday dinner. During the birthday toast Vernon was the first to give a speech which made Sarah nervous because everyone knows Vernon would be to shy to ever talk in front of a room full of people! The minute he spoke and gave his beautiful speech Sarah could not stop smiling and then tears as he got on one knee, she couldn’t say “yes” fast enough!

There was no question that they wanted to start a family together but they always said it’ll be within God’s perfect timing. God knew Noelle Marie Welch wanted to witness her parents celebrate their everlasting love and sent her to them at the perfect time!

Over 10 years of beautiful memories, inside jokes, traveling, lessons, tears of joy & laughter, they will finally celebrate their love in front of God, their precious daughter and their closest friends and family! We hope you can join us on this joyous day.