My husband (still totally crazy to say) and I got married this past weekend, March 21st, 2020. It was an amazing day. To be able marry your best friend is such a gift. Not so ideal, we got married in the middle of a global pandemic. Luckily, there were no mandated rules in our area prohibiting weddings at the time. We are very likely the last wedding for awhile this year. We understand just how lucky we are, as the week leading up to the wedding was filled with uncertainty and fear.
Unfortunately due to the circumstances, we had between 15-20 or so guests that couldn’t attend. And while the wedding was absolutely amazing, it still hurts your heart to miss people you always imagined would be there for such a big day. I wanted to share a look into our wedding for those that couldn’t attend, as well as for any future brides who may be writing their own vows and are looking for a little inspiration.
Before the vows:
We wanted to make our wedding a little more unique by sharing the story of how we met and started dating. I’ve shared little snippets in other blog posts like this one. But now feels like a perfect time to share the whole thing! Before our vows to each other, we had one of my bridesmaids (and one of our closest friends) share “our story” at the ceremony. It was the perfect way to include her in our wedding and share a little something special about us.
Our story:
Matt and Morgan will not only be celebrating a marriage this year, they’re also celebrating a decade of friendship. The story of their once-in-a-lifetime relationship is one they are extremely proud of and something they wanted to share with all of you today before they say their vows and begin this new adventure.
Back in 2010, Matt was a senior and Morgan was a sophomore at Central High School. The two met in marketing class — room F103 to be exact. They became fast friends, connecting over being the social butterflies of the classroom. Mrs. Gordon was less excited over this new friendship, as she constantly had to separate the two of them for talking. In true gentleman fashion, Matt would take the blame for talking and be the one to get moved.
It didn’t take long for Morgan and Matt to realize they weren’t the first Smith and Bennett to know each other. In fact, their older siblings had already met through childhood sports and high school as well. Plus, as it turns out, they also lived just one street away from each other.
Their unwavering friendship continued to grow strong over the next 6 years!
Throughout graduations, family hardships, and separate relationship struggles, Morgan and Matt always looked to the other for advice and a shoulder to cry on… well Morgan was the only one crying but you all probably knew that.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Matt does not take the words “I love you” lightly. Morgan told Matt she loved him numerous times in the beginning of their friendship, but it took over a year for him to reciprocate those three words. Morgan still says she remembers that day like it was yesterday. It was via text message in case anyone wondered…. But more importantly, Morgan was the first — and now last — girl Matt has ever said those words to. Talk about romantic, huh?
By grand design, the opportunity to let their friendship blossom presented itself Easter weekend of 2016. Morgan and Matt were back home from college for the holiday when the question of whether or not this long-term friendship could really be something more was finally answered. It was a picture-perfect spring weekend that started out with breakfast at Perkins and shopping for church clothes. Matt had invited Morgan to church with his family, but she was worried to meet the parents too fast. On her way back to Tallahassee, the two met up in Gainesville to spend just a little more time together where they realized, as it turns out, it wasn’t totally weird to kiss your best friend.
Morgan and Matt officially began dating just 3 months after that memorable Easter weekend. From different cities and apartments, one less appendix, a torn ACL, and the addition of a new puppy to the family, their love continued to grow. Two and a half years later, Matt got down on one knee during a vacation to New Orleans, and — once Morgan reminded him to turn the ring right-side-up and pointed out he had to actually ASK something for her to be able to give an answer — she finally said “yes!” which is what brings us all here to celebrate together today. The start of this remarkable marriage comes as a result of this amazing decade of friendship.
My vows:
To my best friend and the love of my life,
I vividly remember praying for the day that someone would come into my life and make me feel loved like you do…. the kind of love that is honest and unwavering. Little did I know it would be so much better than I could have ever imagined.
I walked in to love with you, steady, with eyes wide open and a confidence that no matter what life throws our way, we will remain strong in our love and our friendship.
That first weekend we spent together seemed like a dream that was too good to be true. For me, our relationship is proof that God’s plan is so much greater than our own and his timing is perfect.
Since the beginning of our friendship as young high schoolers, I have been so proud and honored just to know you but to love you has been a blessing every single day.
Your drive to make me laugh, your ability to make me feel strong in my weakest moments, and the faith I have in our future together is what has brought me here today, confident and proud to be marrying my best friend.
I love your ability to light up a room with your humor and make friends with just about anyone. There are few things in life that light me up like hearing you laugh. I love the way you love my friends and family and protect them like they’re your own. You are smart and unbelievably determined to create a life you’re proud of. And above all, you are steadfast in your values and beliefs. For this and so much more, I am thankful to be marrying you.
First and foremost, I vow to always be your best friend. I promise to choose you every day and always put in the work that’s required for an exceptional marriage.
I promise to rival with on you on college football Saturdays and cheer with you on NFL Sundays.
I vow to encourage you in all of your goals and be your biggest fan and supporter when doubts creep in. I promise to grow with you in mind and spirit, as individuals and partners for life, and someday as parents.
I will stay faithfully by your side in sickness and in health. I promise to always have your back in times of sorrow and laugh with you in times of joy.
I promise to love you as who you are today and for who will come to be.
It’s always been you. I love you.
Matt’s Vows:
Morgan, the best advice my mom ever gave me was to marry your best friend.
Since I met you, I’ve described you as many things. A girl from class, just a friend, a good friend, best friend, girlfriend, fiancé, and finally my wife.
Nothing was going to keep me from marrying you. Not even a worldwide pandemic.
I promise to continue to grow with you physically, spiritually, and mentally. I vow to always be open and honest with you. I promise to always remind you when the Gators beat the Seminoles. I promise to always put our family first. I vow to be more patient when the turn you missed “snuck up on you.”
Lastly, I vow to love you no matter what.
Plenty of things went “wrong” on our wedding. But nothing could change how loved I felt to hear the man of my dreams share his promises to me. And nothing could feel more exciting and calming all at once, than getting to share the love I feel for him before God and our family and friends.
To our family and friends that couldn’t attend, we understand. And you were so missed. But I hope this is a small way to share our day with you!
For any Florida brides, especially near the Tampa area, subscribe to The Relatable Red to get an email alert for new blog posts. There will be one coming soon regarding specific details and vendors we used for our wedding.
