2 minute read

Hope & Christian

from Jacksonville Magazine, May 2023

from Jacksonville Magazine, May 2023, page 114

Only in Florida

It all began in Washington, D.C., where Christian and Hope were introduced by mutual friends at a New Year's brunch. They spent time together over the next couple of months and, in June 2021, their relationship grew to more than just friends.

When it came time to tie the knot, the couple chose Lakewood United Methodist Church where Hope was baptized and confirmed. “Christian and I went through marriage counseling with Pastor Don Thompson at Lakewood, an intentional decision made because of our trust, comfort, and respect for him, his faith, and his leadership,” Hope says.

At the reception's entrance, Christian and Hope displayed many photos of relatives who had passed away. In addition, each wore a sentimental piece of jewelry. Christian’s mother had given him her late father's wedding ring, which he now wears with great pride and gratitude. As for Hope, she wore a Cameo necklace originally owned by great-grandmother Mamaw Mattow. “The box it is stored in still has her handwriting labeling it, and while I never had the pleasure of meeting my mom’s great-grandmother, it was an honor to be one of the fifth generations of brides to wear such a stunning piece on my wedding day,” says Hope.

When planning the wedding, the guest list proved to be one of the most challenging tasks because they wanted their guests to know how much they appreciated their presence. “People flew in from all over the country, took time off work, rented cars, bought plane tickets, reserved hotels, and one friend even delayed her deployment with the military just so she wouldn’t miss our day,” recalls Christian.

“It was all the little moments we shared as strangers at brunch, then acquaintances, then friends, then as a couple, the moments that led me to know deep in my soul that I have never met someone who seriously understands my heart, in all of its wild dimensions, as Christian does,“ says Hope

Aside from the couple's first dance, they shared another special moment when slow dancing together to “Anyone” by Justin Bieber. “It didn’t have the pressure of the first dance and we were surrounded by other couples and friends dancing too, and while the room was buzzing, it truly felt as though it were just us two in the room together,” Hope recalls. One of Christian's favorite moments was watching his bride and her father Bryan light up the crowd. “It was somehow the only time during the day that I cried,” he says. “Not only was the song perfect, but she and her dad are very good dancers, and by the end, they were taking turns twirling each other in circles all over the dance floor.” u