Dylan + Sommer {wedding} :: Fitzpatrick, Ala.

How did you two meet?
Sommer: "I had heard of Dylan Ingram in college because my mom would talk about the cute baseball player from Pike Road that would show up on our TV during an Auburn baseball game. I had heard my dad and brother talk about how they thought he lived near us, but that was really all I knew about him. Turns out, we lived 30 seconds from each other in Pike Road and had gone to the same school and church just at different times. We even had mutual friends, but never met. However, one random night this cute Auburn baseball player I had heard about reached out to me and asked if he could take me on a date. I had my guard up and wasn't in a place where I wanted to date, and I definitely didn’t want a boyfriend. So when he asked, I was super skeptical and wanted to say no-- but through my sister and best friends, I was convinced to give him a shot. We ended up hanging out the next day, and he was the absolute sweetest thing. I still kept saying to him and everyone else that he was great, but I didn't want a boyfriend. It's funny, because everyone around me could tell before I could that he was going to be the one. He was the most persistent, patient, kind and loving man I had ever met in my life. He was exactly the kind of person I had spent my whole life praying for-- plus so much more. I am so thankful for his persistence and for not giving up on me when I was stubborn in the beginning. He pursued me the way a girl dreams that a boy will pursue her and continues to do so every day."

Dylan: "The first time I met Sommer it was over at her house, and I was head over heels immediately. I had always known about Sommer Henry-- everybody did. So, when I was finally getting to hang out with her I was very nervous and had no idea what to expect. I was blown away by how beautiful she was and couldn’t believe how easy she was to talk to. She was so genuine and kind-- and those things still hold true today. I knew I wanted to marry her within the first 15 minutes."

What are some things you two enjoy doing together?
Sommer: "There are so many things we love doing together! We love just cuddling up and binge watching TV shows or movies while we eat pizza and candy-- because pizza is basically a weekend food group for us. We love getting dressed up and going on fun dinner dates. We also love doing Orangetheory together because we are both so competitive. It is so fun getting to push each other to be better every day. I used to joke that I would always be better at OTF than Dylan (back when he was still playing baseball and hadn’t tried it), but that only lasted maybe one day. Now it about kills me just attempting to keep up with him! Also, of course we love hanging out with our family and friends together. There are so many other things I could add to this list, but honestly as long as we’re together, we enjoy just about anything!"

Dylan: "We love spending time with family and friends-- family is always first for us. We love to go to OTF together and challenge each other. Sommer is such a good athlete and makes me push myself more than anyone I’ve ever been around. We love to watch movies or TV shows after work and on Sunday afternoons and eat frozen gummy worms-- Sommer’s favorite. We also love going to our favorite restaurants in Auburn and around the county. We actually have a bucket list to eat at all of the Top 50 US Steakhouses. Sommer loves a filet, and I love any kind of steak. We have gone to 4 out of 50-- so off to a pretty good start since we have forever to eat at all of them!"

How and when did Dylan propose?
Sommer: "September 14th, 2018 was the absolute best and sweetest day. Dylan had told me that he was spending the day golfing and then working at the farm until later in the afternoon, and I wouldn't see him until after dinner. One of my friends invited me to go to dinner and then she wanted to show me some land that her and her husband were possibly going to buy. I didn't know where we were going, so I wasn't thinking much when we were driving around to this spot--until the end when I looked up and realized that we were in downtown Opelika. About that time I started to ask why we were there, and right when I did she pulled out a note that said, "Sommerlyn Henry Ingram," on the front of it. I read the sweetest letter ever written to me and by the time I finished it and looked up, we were in front of this beautiful fountain in downtown Opelika, right next to where we went on our first date. As I got out of the car and walked towards the man of my dreams, I couldn’t believe what was about to happen-- or what I hoped was about to happen. As soon as I got to Dylan, he took my hands are started saying the most beautiful things about how much he loved me and before I knew it he was down on one knee asking me to marry him! It was the most surreal and incredible moment. He thought of every little detail for this day, from the gorgeous roses he had picked out to the new Bible with Sommerlyn Henry Ingram on it. The proposal was then followed by a surprise dinner with our families at Café 123 and a party with all of our best friends waiting for us. The whole night was an absolute dream."

Dylan-- what's one thing you admire most about Sommer?

Dylan: "It’s almost impossible to pick just one thing, but I’ll pick out one of my favorites. One thing I admire most about Sommer is how confident and radiant she is. She lights up any room she walks into. She can speak to anyone and instantly make their day. Her infectious energy and enthusiasm for life is truly inspiring, and I strive to live more like her every day."

Sommer-- what's one thing you admire most about Dylan?
Sommer: "I really have no idea how to pick just one thing that I admire most about Dylan because my list is so long. However, what stands out to me above all is the way he treats not only me, but everyone around him. He is such an example of loving people the way that Jesus does. Dylan is so full of grace, and he is so quick to forgive. He is slow to anger, he is full of compassion, he is selfless, he is genuine and generous, and with all of that-- he is also so full of life and joy. He is truly is my daily example of God’s love and grace."

What was each of yall's favorite parts of the day?
Sommer: "My very favorite part of the day was walking down the aisle to Dylan. It was so incredibly surreal. Seeing him standing there and seeing him so emotional made my heart so full it wanted to burst. Knowing that my parents' prayers, grandparents' prayers, and mine were being answered by the Lord bringing us together and getting us to this moment-- it was again just so surreal. He was so handsome and just moments away from becoming my husband. It could not have been more perfect, and it is a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

Dylan: "My favorite part of the day was seeing Sommer walk down the aisle. She completely took my breath away. She is always stunning, but this was another level. Seeing the prettiest girl in the world walking down the aisle, and realizing that I’m the lucky person that is standing there marrying her was so surreal and awesome. I don’t think anything in my life will ever match the joy I felt during those moments. I’ve never been so proud in my life."

What's next for you two?

Sommer: "We are loving both being back in Auburn and getting to come to home to each other every night. We are currently building a house that we will get to move into right before Thanksgiving, and it’s where we plan on staying for a long time to come! We are just so excited to be building our lives together in our favorite place!"

Vendors:

Planning: Mary Me/Mary Sanders
Venue: Scarlet Acres
Hair + makeup: Glow
Bride's dress + bridesmaids' dresses + invitations: Diane’s Formal Affair
Flowers: Lauren Ladner
Cake: Vickie Kyser
Catering: Debbie Kemsel Catering
Band: Five Star Funk Lounge