How did you two meet?
LeighEllen: "Brooks and I met through a mutual friend in Auburn about two years before we had our first date. It was a very brief interaction. I remember thinking he was funny and cute, but we only talked for a few minutes. Fast forward two years, we had both moved to the city of Nashville! I was walking into a restaurant with some friends and he was leaving the same place with his friends. We quite literally bumped into each other at the door. It was one of those funny/awkward, 'Hey.. don't we know each other?' moments. Two months later, we went on our first date at Cheekwood to look at Christmas lights! The rest is history!
What are some things you two enjoy doing together?
LeighEllen: "Brooks and I love to go on walks together-- it is one of our favorite activities. We love to get outdoors anytime we can! We love watching Auburn Football on Saturdays in the fall to cheer on the Tigers! Auburn will always be a special place for both of us, since it is where we first met and got married. We love traveling and visiting new places. We enjoy watching movies and going through television series together. We love cooking together and sitting down for meals each day. Most of all, we love to laugh together! He is my best friend and makes everything more fun!"
How and when did Brooks propose?
LeighEllen: "Brooks proposed on December 14, 2019. We were at his grandparents' beautiful property in Camp Hill, AL visiting his family for his dad's birthday. It was a very casual day of hanging out at the house and watching football. I did not think he would propose that day! Brooks' grandmother asked if we would go buy some ice at the store, so we drove to the nearest place with his mom to run this errand. Little did I know, it was an excuse to get me out of the house so that my parents and sister could hide during the proposal. When we got back to the house, his mom asked if we would take something down to the pond that was in their backyard. I started realizing something was up when Brooks could no longer form sentences! When we got to the pond, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was such a happy and sweet moment. My sister was hiding and sneaking pictures and our families came running down to the pond! Brooks and I went to dinner just us two and when we got back to the house our friends and family were waiting for us to celebrate! It was such a special day!"
Brooks: "Waking up that morning knowing that I was going to propose to LeighEllen was so exciting. I was nervous the entire day, but had to act like I was totally cool so that she wouldn't suspect anything. The hardest part during my proposal planning was keeping my proposal planning from LeighEllen. She is very hard to surprise because she picks up on things so quickly, but luckily she didn't notice anything was happening until I was moments away from proposing. I remember my brain shutting down completely and the only thing I could say were Step Brothers movie quotes while we walked to the spot where I would propose. My heart was racing and I am surprised I could even get out the words, 'Will you marry me?' Luckily I was able to ask the big question, and even luckier for me that she said yes!"
What was each yall's favorite part of the wedding day?
LeighEllen: "It is so hard to choose just one part of the day! One of my favorite parts was right before the ceremony when Brooks and I read letters we wrote to each other, while still keeping each other hidden around a corner. We had decided not to do a first look, so it was so hard to wait all day to see him. During our time reading letters, I was able to hold his hand and hear his voice. Any butterflies or nerves completely disappeared just by getting to be around him. This moment only made me even more excited to walk down the aisle and marry him! It was such a sweet and intimate part of our wedding day that I will never forget!"
Brooks: "Easily the best part of the wedding was when I saw her for the first time walking down the aisle. I had been waiting all day to see her, and she looked even better than I thought she would. I loved getting to read my letter from her and hear her voice, but actually getting to see her in her wedding dress for the first time will never be topped."
LeighEllen--what's one of the things you admire most about Brooks?
LeighEllen: "There are so many things that I admire about Brooks. Most of all, I admire his loyalty, patience, leadership and love for those around him. He has stood by my side through some very difficult things, while keeping my spirits high along the way. He is patient with me and handles my anxieties so well. He knows how to make me laugh, even on my hardest days. Brooks has already led us in marriage through incredibly difficult trials. I have seen him lead with great strength and courage. Brooks loves those in his life so well. He is sensitive to people's needs and knows how to show them that he cares. I wake up every day knowing that Brooks loves me-- no matter what. I am so lucky to be his wife."
Brooks-- what's one of the things you admire most about LeighEllen?
Brooks: "It's almost impossible to pick one thing that I admire most about LeighEllen. I love so many things about her! The thing that stands out the most to me about LeighEllen is that she reminds me of how much she loves me through her actions. She knows exactly how to love me and she shows me how much she loves me every single day. The little things she does are the biggest things that I love about her. She loves her people beyond what any of us deserve, and I am so happy that I get to be the one that kisses her goodnight every night. I can't believe that I get to spend the rest of my life with her, and that I get to be her husband. I way outkicked my coverage and everyone knows it!"
What's next for you two?
LeighEllen: "A little less than two months after we got married, I was diagnosed with cancer. We have had to process a lot of information very quickly. I had surgery and am now undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy. While this isn't what we expected in our first months of marriage, it has brought Brooks and I incredibly close. We didn't realize how quickly we would have to live out our vows 'in sickness and in health.' Brooks has stayed so strong for me as we walk through this together. It has been very scary at times, but we are hopeful that our treatment plan will be successful in removing the remaining specks of cancer. I am so thankful to have such a loving husband by my side as we go through such a difficult season of life."
Vendors:
Hair + makeup: Olivia Ficken
Wedding dress and veil: I Do Bridal and Formal (Montgomery)
Flowers: Lauren Ladner Floral Design
Bridesmaid dresses: The Dessy Group
Cakes: Sonshine Cakes in Auburn
Invitations: Minuteman Press (Montgomery)
Catering + reception venue: The Bottling Plant Event Center
DJ: DJ Haynes
Ceremony Musicians: Beth Mason and Brian Crowe