I’ve known them both forever, since they were little. And never, ever would I have put them together. But they are perfect. It’s that sparkle in their eyes, that extra bounce in their step that tells the story. The fact that I know he hates pictures, but he loves her way more than he hates pictures. When I told him how great he did (and I mean GREAT!), he said, “Well you know I don’t really like pictures, but I knew these were important to Casey.” Isn’t that what we do? When we love someone that much, we go out in the wind, pretend it’s 78 degrees when it’s really 48 degrees, and we smile. That’s just what he did. And Casey never stopped smiling.
She’s just that way. Casey’s one of the most amazing girls I’ve ever known. She’s incredibly intelligent, beautiful, and doesn’t let a single thing in life slow her down. She’s just the kind of girl you’d want to marry your son. She’s going to do what it takes to make it work, and she’ll drive hours just to come home to hug his boys, Braxton and Eli, on a special occasion, and then turn around and drive hours back because she had class. And that’s how you know it’s real; neither blinks at doing things to bring joy for the one they love.
They met in 2007 when Tyler (T-Will) was a high school teacher’s assistant in Casey’s middle school social studies class with Coach D. Then their paths crossed again in June 2015 when Tyler came to church with his sister and brother-in-law. He thought Casey’s twin brother was her husband! They ended up falling in love over the next few months, even though Tyler teases Casey that his son Eli stole the first kiss, even if it was just on the cheek. Tyler popped the question over a year later on October 29, 2016 on the pedestrian bridge in Nashville, and when Casey said yes, he put the first ring on her finger.
Did I mention that sparkle in their eyes? It’s there, and you don’t have to search for it either. All you have to do is just step back and watch the joy in their life as it unfolds, as each chapter leads to a new one. We all know that every chapter isn’t easy; sometimes they are just simply hard. But we all also know that when you have the gift of love and friendship with the person who put the ring on your finger, those difficult chapters can be just a little easier because you are sharing them together. The sweet chapters, well they are even sweeter than you can imagine, and either way, it’s just a blessing to be writing your life’s book with the one you love.
Casey and Tyler, I can’t say enough how happy I am for you both. I agree with Tyler’s statement, “It was grace that brought us together.” You are beautiful together, and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding next year. Love and abundant blessings, Pat
