Rachel and Kendall tied the knot at their childhood church, Delaney Street Baptist Church, in Orlando, Florida. The two have a special connection to the church, as fate had brought their families together both being members of the church long before Rachel and Kendall were born.
How They Met
Kendall and Rachel’s story really began back before they were born. Their parents became friends at Delaney Street Baptist church in Orlando. The two families lived just two blocks away from each other. Even so, Kendall and Rachel didn’t meet as children, because shortly after Rachel was born, Kendall’s family moved all around the country, while Rachel’s family stayed on that same block and attended that same church throughout her entire childhood. Flashforward to 2014. Rachel met Kendall’s younger brother at a church group for young adults. That younger brother, Shane, asked Rachel where her home church was. “Oh, you might not know it, but it’s called Delaney Street Baptist.”
He knew it. His parents remembered Rachel’s parents very well, and how sweet their friendship was, even though twenty years had passed. Soon Shane introduced Rachel to his eldest brother: Christopher. A year passed, and Rachel and her cousin Amy grew to be great friends with Christopher and Shane and the church group. Rachel heard tell from Christopher and Shane about a third brother—the middle brother—who was working on his PhD in Scotland. Knowing how great Shane and Christopher were, Rachel hoped to meet The Third Brother soon, but she ended up moving to St. Louis to start grad school before she got the chance.
Then, in December of 2015, Kendall was finishing his PhD in Florida and Rachel was back in Orlando for Christmas. A mutual friend from that same church group was celebrating his birthday at Disney’s Hollywood studios, and there, under unending string lights in every color, Kendall and Rachel met.
But they didn’t fall in love. Not right then, anyway. The next week they sat next to a fire pit in a friend’s backyard and were so engrossed in a conversation together that the person in-between them just gave up trying to be included.
Still, Rachel had to go back to St. Louis, Kendall was still working on his PhD. Then there was another birthday gathering for another friend in the summer of 2016 at Daytona Beach. There against the backdrop of shore and sea and sky, they discovered they were both expert boogie boarders. They both grew up on country music. They both grew up in Baptist churches. It was just the beginning of all the delightful discoveries about each other they would make as time passed.
Kendall messaged Rachel a few days later, sending her a story from her favorite genre. Those messages grew to an enormous length as the fall months came, and by September their phone calls began and lengthened until one night, in November, Kendall asked Rachel if she would do him the honor of going on a date when she returned that December, one year after they had first met. Of course she said yes.
What They Love Most About One Another
I love Kendall’s heart for the Lord. He strives to love others as Jesus would, and is kind, patient, and respectful of everyone.
I love how Rachel is so full of life and goodness. She shares the life that God has placed in her heart with everyone she’s around.
The Proposal
The proposal went very well! I bought the engagement ring the moment I had enough extra funds for it and set up a date with Rachel for the following weekend. The timing worked well because that Saturday happened to fall on the first day that we were able to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our first date. I had already scoped out a secluded park near a lake in Winter Park and made arrangements for the day. Before our date, I told Rachel that I had the day planned, and I wanted each moment to be a surprise for her.
I took her to the restaurant we went to on our first date and then immediately drove her to the park. After we walked by the lake, I took out the ring, got on one knee, and asked her to marry me. She said yes! As we were standing by the lake taking in the moment, a man in a boat who had seen me kneel sailed back by us and yelled out a congratulatory “Woohoo!!!” We then went to celebrate with a gourmet cookie from “Gideon’s Cookies” before making our way to downtown Orlando where we walked around Lake Eola. At this point, I was trying to stall for time because I had arranged for our families to gather at Rachel’s grandparent’s house for a time of celebration. We finally made our way there—Rachel had figured out the reason I was stalling by this time. We had a wonderful evening talking, laughing, and praying with our families. It was a very special time for all of us as Rachel and I took our place as an engaged couple among our family and dearest friends. And each morning since that day, I am still amazed that I really am going to marry my best friend in just a few months.
Wedding Vision
It’s an old-fashioned Baptist church wedding; ceremony in the sanctuary, reception in the church gym, a fun mix of classic, vintage, and sweet. The main colors at play are light, soft blues and white, with gold and green accent colors. There will be a sit-down buffet-style dinner, ceilidh dancing, and a slideshow.
Venue: Delaney Street Baptist Church
Caterer: La Madeleine
Floral: Orlando Flower Market
Dress Shop: Lily’s Bridal
Dress Designer: Casablanca Bridal
Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Rings: International Diamond Center
