A Valentine’s Day Special : Our Love Stories | Becky’s Brides

It’s no surprise that we love love around here. We will take any excuse to celebrate love and although Valentine’s Day may be the sappiest excuse out there, we’re all about it! Last year, we shared our very own Valentine’s Day traditions. So, this year we’re sharing our very own love stories for you to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over!

Jerard & Becky

How did you meet? 

Jerard and I had an office romance. I was 20 at the time, in school at UAB and interning in the Accounting department at a local company in town.  He was also in school and worked in the mailroom at the same company. One of my co-workers was dead set on setting me up with a guy in Engineering, but I told her I had a crush on the mail boy.  She pranced down to the mailroom, gave him my number and told him to call me. We went on first date a week later…that was 11 years ago.

How long did you date before he proposed?

We dated for 4 years before we got engaged. If I would have had my way, it would have been sooner, but he was definitely older and wiser and knew we needed to wait.

How did he propose?

Jerard is a man who basically doesn’t get in a hurry for anything, and the proposal was no different.  He took me shopping for rings on Valentine’s Day, and then made me wait 10 MONTHS for it! The day before Christmas Eve we always go to the Christmas Eve service at church and then do our Christmas together so we can spend the next two days with our families. I had been waiting for a proposal for so long; I was confident it was never going to happen.  After we opened our gifts to each other, I pulled my stocking off the fireplace. There was a ring box with a note in there and when I turned around Jerard was on one knee with the ring. Anyone who knows me knows I do not like being the center of attention, and Jerard knows me well! A proposal at home with just the two of us was everything I always wanted.

How long was your wedding planning process?

We planned our wedding in 11 months. Being the true Southerners we are, we had to plan it around the football schedule!

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

Our first look was absolutely my favorite part of our wedding day! When we first started planning, I was absolutely set on not having a first look.  However, after thinking it over and talking to my photographers about it, I changed my mind.  I am SO GLAD I did! I was SO nervous on our wedding day, and the second I saw my almost husband, I felt calm and relaxed.  I had only seen Jerard cry once and he teared up when he saw me.  It was absolutely the sweetest and most perfect moment, and one I will remember forever.

What’s your best piece of love advice?

Don’t sweat the small stuff.  If he doesn’t put his clothes in the hamper every day, it’s not the end of the world.  If she leaves her make-up and hair products all over the bathroom counter, the day will go on. It’s hard to combine two completely separate lifestyles into one, and at the end of the day the small stuff really just doesn’t matter!

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Austin & Taylor

How did you meet? 

Austin and I met when we were introduced by mutual friends. I was a freshman at the University of Alabama and he was a sophomore at Birmingham-Southern. We laugh about it now, but the guy that actually introduced us was trying to show Austin my picture because he had a crush on me! We would see each other every now and then and finally, he got my number via Facebook (so smooth). Our story really started at the beach when he invited me to come down with his family for a week. This came out of nowhere! We weren’t even dating at the time! But I brought along a mutual friend (for moral support, of course) and Austin and I hit it off. Like they say, it was history after that!

How long did you date before he proposed?

We dated for a little over 4 years before he proposed! It would have been sooner but he decided his senior year to change his major to nursing aka 5 more semesters of school. I graduated in May of 2015, he proposed in July of 2016, he graduated in December of 2016, he got a job in January of 2017, we got married in March of 2017! It was a whirlwind!

How did he propose?

This is probably my favorite story to tell. Since our story began at the beach, it’s only right that’s where he asked me to be his forever! We were at the beach for his annual family beach trip and his mom really wanted for us to dress up in white and take photos down on the beach. I really didn’t find this odd because she loves pictures! The whole day, his siblings (and Austin) were playing it up about how much they didn’t want to take these photos, so I of course agreed. Austin insists on driving separately from everyone, so once I’m ready, we hop in the car and head to St. Andrews state park. We get there and he’s on the phone with his family and we’re literally wandering the beach because we’re “looking” for everyone else. To be honest, at this point I’m over it because we’ve been walking and walking and now I’m sweating. Out of the blue, Austin starts walking down to the water where a treasure chest is set up. He picks up a bottle with a note it in and starts reading it to me. I notice a photographer is taking photos. And then, it hits me. He gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. It was THE BEST! Right after, his family comes walking down the beach and then, I see my parents!! I was so ecstatic to have them there for that special moment. After, we headed to dinner at one of my favorite places, Captain Anderson’s. Just when I thought it was all over, we went back to the beach house where his family had set up a mini surprise party to celebrate with us! It was truly one of the best days of my life.

How long was your wedding planning process?

We planned from August to early March, so about 7 months! I honestly wish we had done it in 4 or 5! It’s possible, ladies.

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

My absolute favorite moment of my wedding day was right after the ceremony when my new husband and I walked down the aisle to a private room where we shared our first meal. There were no cameras, no bridal party – it was just us and it was one of the sweetest moments as we cried happy tears and realized we really did it!!

What’s your best piece of love advice?

While I’m no pro since I’ve only had this married girl status for 11 months, I can say that my best piece of advice would just be to solidify your foundation in the Lord. Pray together, attend church together, lead and serve together – you can’t go wrong when you’ve built your marriage on something so much greater than you.

To all of our sweet couples, we wish you many years of happiness and lots of love! And to all of our readers, we wish you the very same! Cheers to Valentine’s Day!