LOVE STORY: MOLLY AND

Molly & Drew By Tammy Smith

Molly Manning and Drew Lee were both Disney fans while growing up in Ocean Springs, and when they met in high school, they discovered that was one thing they had in common.

“Drew and I met my freshman year and his sophomore year in high school through a similar class we had,” Molly said.

They dated through high school, and she says, “Our relationship has been unique from the very start.”

“We are similar and different in the very best ways, so our dynamic is constantly evolving and growing,” Molly adds. “We were long distance during college from 2016 to 2018.”

The Disney fans both moved to Orlando, Florida, in 2019 to work in the Disney College Program, but a few weeks before starting their jobs, they decided to celebrate Christmas — another of their shared passions — at the Magic Kingdom.

They joined a long line of guests awaiting Christmas morning Disney castle photos. Once their turn arrived, Drew bent down.

“I am the worst morning person! When Drew was proposing, I thought he was bending down to tie his shoe in the middle of the pictures, but it all made a lot more sense when he pulled out the ring!” recalls the bride. “This story makes me giggle because it gives a little insight into Drew’s silly personality and how he always keeps me

Disney-loving high school sweethearts exchange vows guessing. “Drew knows that I’m bad about ruining surprises, so he planned the proposal for early in the morning so he could catch me off guard.” The couple chose May 16, 2020, as their wedding date because it fell on the seventh anniversary of the day they began dating. “It also was the date of the 50th anniversary of his maternal grandparents,” Molly says. “We love the sentimental meaning behind our wedding date.” But COVID complicated their plans. “Our original wedding was supposed to be in New Orleans with all of our extended friends and family,” Molly says. “For the safety of our loved ones, we held a small ceremony with only our parents, siblings and grandparents. We were committed to keeping everyone safe with social distancing, masks and lots of hand sanitizer.” The Lees’ ceremony was at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, with 15 guests, and the reception was held Dec. 19 at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom & Suites in Pascagoula. “When we were planning our reception, we were unable to book our original venue in New Orleans due

to availability, so we found a smaller, beautiful venue in Pascagoula where we were able to celebrate with close friends and additional family,” Molly says.

The most special part of their wedding day was opening gifts they had exchanged the night before.

“Drew surprised me with a locket that had an ‘L’ engraved in it and two photos inside, one of my grandfather and one of his mother, both (of whom) celebrated our marriage from heaven,” Molly says.

They honeymooned in Orange Beach, Alabama — a nearby destination that also offered an opportunity to practice social distancing.

Molly and Drew now live in their hometown of Ocean Springs. Drew, 24, works for Techtronic Industries as a field sales and marketing representative, and Molly, 23, works for Lagniappe National Construction as a junior estimator.

Life experience has helped their relationship grow stronger over the years, Molly notes.

“I might be biased, but I think those who are around us can tell the love that Drew and I have for each other just by spending time with us,” she says. “We make each other laugh, support each other and help each other growing constantly.

“Being high school sweethearts, (we have) evolved so much and experienced so many life-changing events. Overcoming the growing pains of a long-distance relationship and becoming new people in college, our relationship looks completely different now than when we were 15 and 16, and it’s stronger because of the changes in life we’ve gone through together.”

VENDORS Ceremony venue: St. Elizabeth Seton Reception venue: Grand Magnolia Ballroom & Suites Officiant: Deacon Michael Butler Wedding gown and tux/groom’s clothing: Bridal & Formal Boutique and House of Tux Bridesmaid and groomsmen attire: Bridal & Formal Boutique and House of Tux Photographer: Leighann Roush with Bluewaters Photography (ceremony) and Genna Green with Greenstill Photography (reception) Caterer: Scranton’s Catering Cake/Desserts: Nita Lee Florist: Jan Hunter Invitations: Invitations by Dawn Hair: Glam on Location LLC Makeup: Glam on Location LLC Jewelry/accessories: Etsy and Bridal & Formal Boutique and House of Tux