How did you two meet?
Grace: "We met way back in 2002 in 7th grade math class. We got in trouble by the substitute teacher for talking & laughing during class and had to go to detention and write the substitute teacher an apology letter. Besides causing trouble, that year Rob gave me his top locker when I got stuck with an undesirable bottom one. A few years past and it was the summer before high school and the height of AIM. While in Birmingham for summer vacation, I would stay up way too late having deep AIM conversations with him about things like our favorite colors & what they would do if they won the lottery some day. A few weeks later and it was our first day of freshman year in high school and we got scheduled in the same math class... again. And get in trouble for talking with each other... again. On September 1st, 2004, as three hurricanes barreled toward the state of Florida, Rob asked me 'to go out with him' while sitting on the bleachers during a football game. And we've been 'going out' ever since."
Do either of you remember the first time you saw/met each other?
Grace: "The first time I saw him in math class I thought his best friend Hoover was cute; which is quite hilarious because looking back at photos we were all just babies at the time and oh so awkward. When we started talking to each other again the summer before high school, we had grown up quite a bit, and I thought he was very cute and sweet. He had a crush on my best friend at the time, so it wasn't 'love at first sight,' but it was a process of becoming friends and then falling for each other."
Rob: "Well, I don't remember much about the first time I saw Grace. Our early stages of friendship consisted of a lot of AOL instant messenger."
How and when did Rob propose?
Grace: "Three years ago on our first trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts we visited Cuttyhunk Island with The Hoover family during a fishing trip. Megan Hoover took a photo of us sitting on a bench overlooking the gorgeous scenery at the top of Tower Hill. It became one of our favorite pictures and places ever. So, when Rob decided he wanted to propose, he knew just the spot. And on August 5th, 2015 we were going on another 'fishing trip' with The Hoover family and decided to stop by Cuttyhunk and climb Tower Hill again. We took a picture on the same bench overlooking Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands and as we went to get up, Rob got down on one knee and asked me marry him. I can't say it was entirely surprising after we were being together for 12 years, but I guess I couldn't believe it was actually happening because I said, 'Really?' and then quickly said 'Yes!'"
Rob-- what's one thing you admire most about Grace?
Rob: " I admire her ability to care for others. She is the most loving person I know and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her."
Grace-- what's one thing you admire most about Rob?
"The number one thing I admire is that no matter the situation Rob can always make me smile. Sometimes annoyingly so. I could be so mad at him and one silly look and that's it I'm laughing. I'm not sure that it's entirely fair since I don't share that same ability. However, I feel so incredibly fortunate that I get to share all my adventures in life with a man who is truly my best friend."
What was each of yall's favorite part of the day?
Rob: "My favorite part was probably the ceremony. It was everything I imagined it to be. Grace did a phenomenal job creating such a beautiful place for us to begin our marriage. It was just another representation of how amazing she is."
Grace: "It's so hard to pick a definite favorite part of the day. The ceremony really stands out in my mind. I wanted our day to feel warm and personal and walking into the ceremony that is exactly what I felt. I was so calm and at ease that I was finally about to marry my best friend, and I was surrounded by everyone I love in such a beautiful surrounding it was perfect and so much more than I could have ever dreamed of. Dancing the night away with our friends and family is also very high up there on the list, too! I feel like the day was filled with so many special little moments that amount to what the day was and I'll cherish them forever."
What's next for you two?
Grace: "We just got home from our amazing two week honeymoon exploring London and Ireland. We had a great time, but we're happy to be home. There is a lot of organizing and thank you notes in our near future, but beyond that we're happy to get back in the swing of life. We are looking forward to spending time with our family and friends we missed while we were away for two weeks. We're looking forward to a lot more travelling together and starting a family sometime in the future!"
Vendors:
Videographer - 1717 Wedding Cinema
Invites & Design Work - The Scripted Cork By Anna Owensby
Florals - HotHouse
Hair & Makeup - Melissa Bogardus
Cake - Olexa's
Catering- Catering by Bellini's
Day of Coordination- Elizabeth Files
Dress - Essence of Australia from Bridal LTD Gallery
Suits - Generation Tux
Welcome Dinner Catering- Jim & Nick's BBQ