I think we should all listen to what Jordan Brittley has to say – that being said, you might as well grab some tissues NOW. Because Julie and Aaron’s big day? Well, it’s as sweet as they come. Halfway through their stunning celebration, they left to visit their nursing home friends who unfortunately couldn’t attend. The results? A total tearjerker and we’ve got every bit of the beauty waiting for you in The Vault!
From the Bride… Aaron and Julie first met at a fundraiser volleyball game for Gordie Hartshorn at the Fair Play gym on January 31 st , 2014. Their mutual friend Saraha Burnett set up the team. In Aaron’s 34 years he was never much for approaching a girl, but he noticed something about Julie’s name. “Lollar is your last name? Was your grandfather Solomon Lollar?” He told her how Solomon had evangelized and fellowshipped with him when he attended Southwest Baptist University. Julie’s grandmother, Rosalie, was a cook at the university. Solomon would come to eat there and then talk to the students as he felt led by the Lord.
A few months later, Saraha was listing out all the eligible bachelors that she knew and wanted to fix up with Julie. None seemed appealing to Julie. “What about that guy from the volleyball tournament?” she asked. Saraha squealed and excitedly exclaimed, “Aaron Evans, oh my goodness he is perfect!” The fact that Aaron had deep conversations with her grandpa and that he had taken the time to listen and learn from him kept Julie wanting to know more. Solomon had passed away when Julie was only 9 years old. Her family had often told her that she had the same passionate and stubborn soul of her grandfather. She had always wondered what it would have been like to know him and have conversations with him if she were older. This was her chance to find out more. Sarah took no time in setting up a date.
Aaron thought it best if he reached out to Julie beforehand so he knew what he was getting into. They talked back and forth on Facebook for a while and began to feel an open door. Her curiosity kept her wanting to know more and his sweet nature fed the desire. He told her stories of her grandfather and things Solomon shared with him. Aaron said he even had a bible study that Solomon gave him. Julie eagerly requested the study and her heart jumped when she saw the date. “Is this date right?! If so, this was only a few months after he passed away.”
Julie’s family had known of the study, but had only bits and pieces of it. They did not know he had finished it before he passed away. Aaron had the complete study… and Julie had to go to Aaron to get it. A date was set up and nerves were high. April 26 th , 2014 the two finally met at The Bean with the purpose of finding out more and if this was the one that the Lord had intended for them. Aaron talked A LOT like he had at the volleyball tournament, but Julie was more interested at what he had in his possession. He had brought the bible study that Solomon had wrote and given to him, “Four Things the Church Needs to Hear.” She quizzed him further and felt a comfort in listening to him. As the weeks rolled by, they would meet up occasionally to walk and talk around the gardens at SBU. Both content on not moving further until God allowed, they built up walls to prevent an unholy relationship. She offered no warm fuzzies of affection and kept her distance if she felt him too close. He told all the wrong things and showed her a side of him that this world looked down upon. There was no wining and dining, no kisses at door, no dressing to impress. They simply walked.
During this time, Julie did not necessarily know how she felt about Aaron. She was disappointed with what the world had to offer, but wanted know for sure if the Lord was leading her to someone. Since she was not head over heels for Aaron she began to ponder letting him down easy. But something in her told her to be patient. Having not listened in the past, Julie knew the Lord’s ways were better than her own. Months before this, Julie had learned that lesson the hard way. She had sought a man by her own will and not the Lords. It left scars of remembrance, but also a heart abandoned. On the night her heart was aching, she cried to Lord to take all feelings of earthly men away. “If you are to give me someone, give me one of your sons. Someone that has a passionate heart after you, that people love and lean on, and that will love and care for me. But if there is no one, then I am content with you Lord.”
On June 14th, 2014 Julie got the answer she was seeking. She was at the wedding of Mariah Fulbright and Eli Samek. Mariah’s father was officiating and telling the story of how Mariah was some prize (surprise). Julie wept in her seat as she heard the words and the desire in her heart for a husband to see her that way grew. In the moment she received a message from Aaron who was attending a different wedding. It was a picture of him seated with an arm curved out and it read, “Someone is missing.” Peace overwhelmed Julie’s heart and tears of realization that Aaron was the one she was to marry flooded her face. The next time she saw Aaron she looked at him with admiring eyes. He would forever be the only man she was attracted to. April 30th, 2016 the two exchanged wedding rings. She was more than happy to put her grandfather’s ring on Aaron’s finger with assurance that it would remain there as long as they both shall live.
Photography: Jordan Brittley | Event Coordinator: Jera Shive | Floral Design: Teter’s Florist | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Tonya Evans | Invitations: Bride | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Adrianna Papell | DJ: Byron Shive | Venue: Calvary | Bride’s Ring: Verragio | Groom’s Ring: Bride’s Grandfather
© Style Me Pretty, 2016. |
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Post tags: Nursing Home, Real Wedding, Romantic Wedding, Surprise Visit, Wedding Inspiration, Whimsical Wedding
Post categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Whimsical
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