Oh, where to begin? When Katie and I had just started dating in college, we’d both come back from summer break for her senior and my junior year. As I’ve said many times before on here, Katie was captain of Clemson’s dance team, the Rally Cats. The first week back for each school year is work week for the RC’s, and freshmen aren’t allowed to move in to their dorms yet so they stay with the juniors and seniors who have apartments. I went over to see Katie one night and around the corner bounced, bubbled, and giggled Mallory. She was positively one of the brightest, bubbliest, happiest people I’d ever met. At that moment, little did I know that over the next three years that we’d develop an amazing friendship that I’m incredibly thankful to God for. On the other hand, I actually went to high school with Patrick, but he was a year ahead of me and we didn’t really have the same friend circle. We knew who each other were but never were really friends or hung out. Skip ahead to mine and Katie’s wedding in 2010. I looked over and saw Mallory at the reception – with Patrick as her date. As I just said, I didn’t really know Patrick closely, but what I did know was that he is a great guy and I was extremely happy for her!

Last week, I got to know Patrick during their engagement session in Asheville and couldn’t have had a better time. I’m thrilled to get to know him even better over the next several months. They were so much fun to hang out with, and they were so relaxed and real in front of the camera. Their wedding is in the spring, and I can’t wait. God’s timing is an amazing thing, and the albeit crazy part is that it’s not our timing. He’s a good Father who gives good gifts to his children. Mallory & Patrick – I’m so excited for you both and you were a true blessing to me last week. Mallory, God is faithful and He’s proving it to you.