Rachael
and
Drew
Please join us for our wedding celebration on
Our Story
Rachael and I grew up in the same hometown of Statesville, NC but surprisingly didn’t know each other. But, thanks to social media we were “friends” for years without ever meeting in person. Rachael hates when I say this, but I like to think she made the first move in 2011 when she wished me a Happy Birthday on Facebook. I wish I could say our story started then but it took a few years (9 to be exact) for us to ever meet in person officially and that came ever so randomly at a drive-in concert at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in September 2020.
We were at a venue that had hundreds (maybe thousands) of cars full of people who were there for the concert. As we are being directed in and told where to park, guess who I see getting out of the car next to me. Rachael Ryan aka rachael_withan_a. The first time we met we walked right up to one another and hugged like we have known each other our whole lives. After that night we both continued our own paths but looking back I remember how natural it felt meeting and talking with Rachael. Six months after this first meeting, by the grace of God, I ran into Rachael again at a bar and had the opportunity to buy her a drink. I had a few drinks of my own that night, so I made sure I kept the conversation short to make sure I didn’t embarrass myself too much with this girl from my hometown. A few days after I remember thinking to myself, I should’ve asked her on a date because she is a girl that I needed to get to know better.
After doing my research and figuring out Rachael’s favorite restaurant in the city I asked her on a date to Barcelona Wine Bar and we had that first date on March 25th, 2021. That restaurant has a special place in my heart because it was the location of our first date but also the location of where I proposed on April 22nd, 2023. From the first date I knew that she was special. I remember walking back to my car (after not walking Rachael to hers, a mistake I haven’t made again since) thinking that she is the most genuine and authentic person I have ever met in my life.
From there the rest is history. Our journey has consisted of many more dates, (including some that we no longer speak about, like date #2 where Rachael beat me in bowling. I’m obviously over that, though. Back to the story…) a lot of traveling, a shared love of going to concerts, an incredible number of tapas, and probably a concerning amount of wine. The memories that we have created together so far are enough for a lifetime and I can’t describe how incredibly excited I am to continue this journey together. I am excited and blessed to be able to celebrate our love together with all our family and friends on June 8th, 2024. As all of you play an important part in both of our lives and the journey we are on together.
To Rachael - I love you and cannot wait until our special day. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have you in my corner and on my team. Can’t wait to continue doing life with you.
XO
Drew
We were at a venue that had hundreds (maybe thousands) of cars full of people who were there for the concert. As we are being directed in and told where to park, guess who I see getting out of the car next to me. Rachael Ryan aka rachael_withan_a. The first time we met we walked right up to one another and hugged like we have known each other our whole lives. After that night we both continued our own paths but looking back I remember how natural it felt meeting and talking with Rachael. Six months after this first meeting, by the grace of God, I ran into Rachael again at a bar and had the opportunity to buy her a drink. I had a few drinks of my own that night, so I made sure I kept the conversation short to make sure I didn’t embarrass myself too much with this girl from my hometown. A few days after I remember thinking to myself, I should’ve asked her on a date because she is a girl that I needed to get to know better.
After doing my research and figuring out Rachael’s favorite restaurant in the city I asked her on a date to Barcelona Wine Bar and we had that first date on March 25th, 2021. That restaurant has a special place in my heart because it was the location of our first date but also the location of where I proposed on April 22nd, 2023. From the first date I knew that she was special. I remember walking back to my car (after not walking Rachael to hers, a mistake I haven’t made again since) thinking that she is the most genuine and authentic person I have ever met in my life.
From there the rest is history. Our journey has consisted of many more dates, (including some that we no longer speak about, like date #2 where Rachael beat me in bowling. I’m obviously over that, though. Back to the story…) a lot of traveling, a shared love of going to concerts, an incredible number of tapas, and probably a concerning amount of wine. The memories that we have created together so far are enough for a lifetime and I can’t describe how incredibly excited I am to continue this journey together. I am excited and blessed to be able to celebrate our love together with all our family and friends on June 8th, 2024. As all of you play an important part in both of our lives and the journey we are on together.
To Rachael - I love you and cannot wait until our special day. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have you in my corner and on my team. Can’t wait to continue doing life with you.
XO
Drew