Located about 3 miles off the southwestern coast of her home state is a little slice of paradise that is like a second home to Amanda’s family. Amanda’s grandparents found Captiva Island just over 50 years ago while they were exploring Florida after relocating from Michigan. Amanda’s mother introduced the island to her father, who likewise fell in love with the oasis. Since then, Captiva Island is the highly-anticipated, annual vacation spot for the Vaughan family. It’s only fitting then that Amanda’s favorite place is how she met her favorite person.

When Amanda was 4, her parents purchased a timeshare on Captiva Island. Thereafter, the Vaughans spent “Week 28” at Harborview Villas, staying in the unit just underneath a family from Bettendorf, Iowa. Amanda and Claire Park met in the shared pool, where they played “mermaids” and introduced their families. While the past 20 years have been full of happy, shared memories between the Vaughan and Park clans, the week spent on the island in 2020 is one of Amanda’s favorites - and the reason we get to celebrate today.

In June of 2020 (the middle of the pandemic), Nick Slavens joined the festivities during Week 28. Amanda and Nick had met briefly before, but this time they got to spend a whole week together. As the week’s end drew near, Nick had the best idea ever: introduce Amanda to his childhood best friend, Brady. Admittedly, the best idea ever was also a crazy one: in less than two months, Amanda was starting law school in Tallahassee, FL and Brady was starting medical school in Kirksville, MO. Not only were they going to have to try sustaining a long distance relationship amidst a pandemic, but they were also both starting two grueling post-graduate programs. The odds were seemingly stacked against them; but as they got to know each other, it became clear that their connection is one that would defy those odds.

On June 22, 2020, Amanda & Brady “met” for the first time. This initial FaceTime was the first of thousands that kept their relationship growing strong despite the distance and the stress of their schooling. That night, Amanda shared with some of her girlfriends how much fun their FaceTime was. She didn’t know quite how at the time, but she knew that Brady would be in her life. His calming presence, kind smile, and those bright blue eyes immediately drew her in. Likewise, her sweet demeanor, warm smile, and beautiful eyes had him smitten.

In August of 2020, Amanda & Brady decided they wanted to talk on the phone everyday. They had been doing a lot of texting with the occasional phone call or FaceTime. Spontaneously (and rather out of character), Brady flew to Tallahassee to meet Amanda on August 29, 2020. They spent a long weekend together (thanks to virtual school) and luckily, it was perfect! Amanda & Brady love a low-stakes game of Blackjack - but talk about a real gamble!! A couple of weeks later, Brady drove the 15.5 hours (one way!!) from Kirksville to Tallahassee so he could spend his fall break with his new girlfriend.

And so began the back-and-forth travels for the future Letneys... They’ve traveled about 37,355 miles to see each other. They’ve taken (97) planes, (3) trains, and several automobiles (including one 2 1/2 hour Uber from St. Louis Int’l Airport to Peoria, IL). Of those total miles, they’ve collectively driven 7,355. And of all of those trips, really only two went sideways: Amanda’s infamous Uber after being stranded by Southwest in St. Louis, and Brady having to spend the night on the floor of Charlotte Int’l Airport courtesy of American Airlines (with Amanda getting up at 4am to drive from Tallahassee to Atlanta to scoop him the next day). Needless to say, the bride and groom are huge fans of Delta and Allegiant.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every mile. While the days spent apart were often long and lonely, they have made Amanda & Brady appreciate and treasure the time they got - and all the time they will be lucky to have - to spend together.

In June of 2021, Amanda got to bring Brady to Captiva, the little island where their story began. What’s funny is that in the beginning of their relationship, Amanda thought that it would get easier to leave Brady as they visited each other more and more. She couldn’t have been more wrong: it got harder - way harder. But by being so far apart, Amanda & Brady had to continuously make a conscious effort to keep their romance, and their friendship, strong. The bride and groom that we celebrate today are not just deeply in love; they’re also the best of friends. And they can’t wait to finally be home.