“The Lord has done great things, and we are filled with joy!” Psalm 126:3

The time leading up to our wedding has not and will not only be 8 months-we believe that the Lord began preparing us to become who we are individually and who we are as a couple 25 and 23 years ago. It would be impossible to write an account for our entire lives, so we will share a little bit about who we are individually and who we are as future husband and wife.

Patrick was born on January 16, 1993 to Kevin and May Adams. He grew up in a loving Christian home along with three sisters, Kelsey, Anna, and Haley. They lived in Littleton, North Carolina, at Camp Willow Run-a youth Christian camp on Lake Gaston where both of his parents are full time staff. Outnumbered by so many women, Patrick enjoyed spending time outside and working around camp with his dad. Riding bikes, building forts, fishing, hunting, baseball and basketball were some of his favorite pastimes. His family attended Lake Gaston Baptist Church where he was involved in Awana and youth group and grew in his walk with the Lord. Patrick was home-schooled his entire school career and attended Nash Community College after graduating. Three years ago, Patrick enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and is now a Deputy Sheriff in Warren County, North Carolina. He still enjoys all things outdoors, with a special love for hunting, fishing, and playing with Rhett, his black lab.

Ava-Taylor was born on January 3, 1995 to Glenn and Angie Mumford. She grew up in a loving Christian home along with her brother Coleman and sister, Hannah. They lived in Benson, North Carolina until she was 10, and then moved to Garner, North Carolina. Ava-Taylor enjoyed swimming on a year-round league, piano, art, reading, and playing outside. Her family attended First Baptist Church of Garner where she was involved in her youth group and grew in her walk with the Lord. Some of her favorite memories are from spending 11 summer weeks at Camp Willow Run. Ava-Taylor was also home schooled for a number of years before attending and graduating from Garner Magnet High School. After graduating, she attended Meredith College where she studied Food and Nutrition and graduated in 2017. Through careful prayer and thought, Ava-Taylor felt called to pursue a career in Real Estate Appraisal with her Pop Pop’s business, and is currently an appraiser at Amazing Grace Appraisals, LLC, in Jackson, North Carolina. She enjoys hiking, art, and playing with Rhett, her black lab.

The first time Patrick and Ava-Taylor met was in May, 2015 in the dining hall at Camp Willow Run. Ava-Taylor was working her first summer on staff at CWR for Patrick’s mom, May. When Mrs. May questioned Ava-Taylor of her relationship status and the response was “I’m single and intend to stay that way for a while”, she responded, “you should meet my son, Patrick!”. The next day, Patrick and Ava-Taylor were introduced by a mutual friend, and the rest is history.

On February 16, 2018, Patrick, Ava-Taylor, her Aunt Layne and her Uncle Chris went hiking at Craggy Pinnacle in Asheville, North Carolina. At the top of the mountain, Patrick asked Aunt Layne to take a picture of he and Ava-Taylor. As she snapped some pictures, he got down on one knee and asked Ava-Taylor to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course, she said a long-awaited “YES!”.

Over the past three years, we have experienced many highs and many lows, as can be expected in any relationship. The first two years of our relationship was spent long-distance while Patrick was working and living in Warren County and Ava-Taylor was finishing at Meredith College in Raleigh. Although the distance was hard to get used to, we both agree that it made the time spent together more special and instilled in us a stronger sense of patience as well as strengthen our prayer life. Now, we live only 45 minutes apart since Ava-Taylor moved to Jackson, North Carolina to work, and we have more opportunities to be together. We are both anxiously awaiting October 13, 2018 when the distance will be finally eliminated!

We truly believe that the fact we are at this point in our lives is because of the Sovereign hand of Jesus, not only in the past three years, but since the day we were both created. We are so excited to share this season of our lives with each other and our friends and family as we continue to seek the Lord’s will for our two lives becoming one! We ask for your prayers leading up to and following that day.