ichaelah and Stephen met through youth group years before Michaelah was even old enough to date. They were friends from day one. Michaelah’s family would not let her date until she was 16, but this did not deter Stephen in any way. A beautiful friendship developed not only between Michaelah and Stephen, but with their families as well. When Michaelah was a freshman in high school, and Stephen a senior, Michaelah’s parents decided to bend the dating rule when Stephen asked her to his senior prom.
Michaelah's family relocated back to central Arkansas when she was a sophomore in high school and she and Stephen continued to date (via "face time" for the most part) for a year before Michaelah sadly broke up with Stephen... on his birthday. They spent eight months apart, during which time Stephen continued to pursue Michaelah relentlessly. Let's just say the florist knew her address by heart. Stephen would tell you it was all worth the effort…eight months of not letting Michaelah forget about him paid off and they got back together right before her senior year of high school. Stephen even traveled from Cincinnati to take Michaelah to her senior prom.
After high school, Michaelah accepted a soccer scholarship to Cincinnati Christian University and was ecstatic to be headed back to Ohio where she and Stephen could see each other regularly. On the day she arrived in Cincinnati
and on Stephen’s birthday, he asked her to be his wife.
Michaelah and Stephen were married the following December at Cone Chapel on Harding Univeristy's campus in Searcy. They incor- porated the simple beauty of winter into their ceremony and reception. The Christmas lights outside of the floor to ceiling windows of the chapel created a beautiful backdrop. Their intimate ceremony and reception were decor-
ated with pine boughs and branches that were not only beautiful, but made the chapel and reception hall smell like a winter wonderland as well. Close friends, and the bride's two brothers, performed live music that set a tone of worship and love over the ceremony. Guests were encouraged to leave the couple messages in vintage coffee cans to read on their anni- versaries and the couple was sent off with fanfare and sparklers.
Stephen and Michaelah's big day was so un-stressful. It was a beautiful reflection of their love as well as the love showered upon them by their family and friends.
Michaelah's Advice for Brides-to-be:
"Don’t worry about the little things that didn’t happen or go wrong. It is the start of an exciting new life. All the adventures, both good and bad, will be spent with your best friend by your side."
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