We Did It!!

If you would like to see a few wedding pictures that were taken by family and friends, click here. We are still sorting through all the proofs from our photographer, so we don't have those pictures available, yet.

Yay, we're married!!

One year and counting...

Amy
Several years ago , I kept hearing about this boy named Joel Alley. Many people in my life were determined that we should meet and that we would be perfect, absolutely perfect for each other. Finally, we met 13 months ago (with lots of convincing on both our parts to allow these friends to set us up. I have never been a fan of the blind date scene and neither has Joel); we really made them work overtime in order to make it happen but they were (obviously) able to pull it off and a year later I can tell you that I've never been happier!

It amazes me to look back over the last year to see how the Lord has not only changed and developed my relationship with Joel but to see how I have changed over the last year. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have been blessed with such a Godly man. I have learned so much about God's love for me this year through my relationship with Joel and all I can say is that i'm thankful that I will never be the same! It has been such an amazing thing to see the picture beginning to develop in my own life that is described in Ephesians 5; I have a true desire to submit to Joel (even though I can be quite the strong willed girl ;) because he loves me as Christ loves the church and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he has my best interest in mind.

I am beyond excited to start this new journey that will begin on December 6, 2008, at 6:00 pm. I can't wait to see where the Lord will take us and how He will change us, grow us, and use us!

Joel
Amy, it has been an amazing year. I have absolutely no doubt that the Lord has brought us together, (through the efforts of some persistent, Godly friends :-) ), and I am so thankful that He did. Every day I see just a little bit more of how you truly are the companion divinely suited to me (Genesis 2:18). When I'm feeling small you build me up, and when I get too big for my britches you gently burst my bubble. When I'm down you comfort me, sometimes without even realizing it, and when I'm up, you laugh with me. You encourage me, and you love me, and the time I get to spend with you is the most precious of my whole day. I'm starting to understand why the wise man spent so much time extolling the virtues of an excellent wife (Proverbs 31:10-31), because I see those virtues in you. I wonder what I ever did to deserve to have such an amazing woman in my life. I spend time every night thanking the Lord for bringing you into my life, and asking Him to give me one more day to show you how much I love you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you!

For Our Out of Town Guests...

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn in Gastonia. If you mention the Grayson/Alley wedding, you will receive a discounted room rate. We are looking forward to seeing you and are honored that you are travelling to join us in celebrating our special day!

The Wedding Party

Amy's Attendants

Anna Burgess , Maid Of Honor -- Niece of the Bride
Angela Burgess , Matron of Honor -- Sister of the Bride
Marissa Parsons , Bridesmaid -- Friend of the Bride
Cari Downie , Bridesmaid -- Friend of the Bride
Andrea Leslie , Bridesmaid -- Friend of the Bride
Amy Sweatt , Bridesmaid -- Friend of the Bride
Stephanie Yoakum , Bridesmaid -- Friend of the Bride
Danielle Robertson , Bridesmaid -- Cousin of the Bride
Caroline Guinn , Flower Girl -- Friend of the Bride

Joel's Attendants
Chris Jolley , Best Man -- Friend of the Groom
Will Alley , Groomsman -- Brother of the Groom
Brian Boyles , Groomsman -- Friend of the Groom
Jimmy Smith , Groomsman -- Friend of the Groom
Brendan Handel , Groomsman -- Friend of the Groom
Stephen Burgess , Groomsman -- Brother-in-law of the Bride
Andrew Burgess , Groomsman -- Nephew of the Bride
Daniel Burgess , Groomsman -- Nephew of the Bride

The Proposal

Joel proposed on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. We had already had many discussions about getting married; we had even already been ring shopping so I knew that it was coming but was uncertain as to when he would propose. The week of the proposal he kept mentioning that I needed to keep Saturday clear...that we were going to have a day just for us. I didn't think anything about it, really, or even think that he was going to propose that day. Honestly, I was scared that I would be disappointed if it didn't happen so I had almost talked myself into believing that he was going to wait until mid-April or early May. I knew that he had planned a picnic and that we had tickets to a Casting Crowns concert that evening but besides those two things, I had no idea what he had planned. Once Joel picked me up, we spent some time together just driving around and talking (which is something we both really love to do) and then had our picnic at the gardens. After our lunch, we walked through the Orchid Conservatory and he proposed at the gazebo which overlooks a reflecting/wishing pond. It was a day I will never forget...it was perfect.

How We Met...

On our own we might never have met. Over several years our paths crossed from time to time at church, but we always seemed to be going in different directions. After two years, a mutual friend of ours, the Singles Pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, decided to get us together. He and his wife invited us over to their house for dinner and introduced us to each other there. We had a great evening chatting and getting to know each other, and at the end of the evening we decided to exchange numbers. We had our first date the following weekend and have been together since!