Wild Wind Retreat

Welcome Dinner

Wedding Day

Thank You Brunch

Fall

Our Wedding

In March of 2018, I was visiting Boston University for fellowship days, a bundle of nerves unsure of where I fit in my church and in the world. I was sitting on a bench in front of Marsh Chapel talking with Jamie about what it was like to be queer in seminary when Gretchen, a third year student, crossed the street and came to sit with us. I can't remember what we talked about, but I knew she was one of the coolest people I had ever met, so confident and self-assured. Her laugh was so easy. I did the logical thing you do when you start to feel a crush... I avoided Gretchen for the remainder of the weekend. When I officially started school that Fall, Gretchen and I crossed paths again. Everything felt lighter when she was in the room and I was drawn to her. About a month into the semester she asked if I wanted to get coffee, but me, suspecting she wanted to hang out as friends and living about an hour away suggested we get dinner instead. As friends we had dinner and then margaritas at a different bar down the street. After hours of laughter and story-sharing, we stood up to leave and I had an overwhelming urge to kiss her - there were no nerves, no overthinking (which is very unlike me). It felt like magic...which was soon interrupted by a hoard of BU freshmen crowding the sidewalk. We didn't kiss, but I held onto that moment, knowing I wanted to keep sharing stories with Gretchen for a long time to come.

Ezra

As Ezra shared, we met for the first time in front of Marsh Chapel while they were talking to Jamie. What they didn’t mention (probably because they didn't know), was that I had already noticed them and intentionally went to interrupt—just to get a chance to speak with the cute person who had just arrived on campus. I was lucky enough to be deeply involved in our grad program and participated in all of the welcome events for prospective students. Over those few days… at every event… I would try to start a conversation with Ezra, and they would promptly (though kindly) exit stage left as quickly as possible. Needless to say, when the fellowship days ended, I did not think I was a favorite of Ezra Ercolini. When school started back that fall and Ezra joined the new class, I was happy to see them again. I didn’t want to be overbearing, but I wanted to spend time with them whenever I could. The way they described our first dinner together was similar to my experience—I was surprised by how much I just wanted to talk to them, really about nothing in particular. It confirmed to me that this was definitely someone I wanted in my life. What they didn’t mention in their story is that after that dinner and margaritas outing, I asked them to get dinner the following weekend. Now, I’ll admit my mistake—I did it via text. And in that same text conversation, I also asked for clarification: was this a date? We needed to lay it all out on the table, because I was actively trying to fight the friend zone. Ezra then proceeded to wait close to an hour to respond—an hour in which I fully convinced myself that I had pushed too hard and scared this poor first-year (bye bye everything including the friend zone). I’ve since learned that when they read my text, they threw their phone into the car and started driving because I had made them too nervous. We laugh about it now, but I think it highlights something about our relationship that is still sometimes true: Ezra just doesn’t realize how amazing they are. Not in a self-deprecating way exactly, but in a quiet, humble way that the world could use more of. With that said, I will happily continue to chase them around the bar (metaphorically), because it is a privilege to love and grow with them. Photos by Ashley Green Photography

Gretchen

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

How to Get There

For those flying to North Carolina, the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the largest and closest airport. From the airport, it is about a 2 hour drive to Boone, North Carolina. We recommend renting a car or carpooling with friends to make this gorgeous scenic trip into the mountains.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

If you are traveling to Boone from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Hickory Hop Shuttle runs from the airport to Boone and nearby Blowing Rock and Hickory. Online Reservations can be made on their website.

Hickory Hop

Where to Stay

We do not have a hotel block reservation, but there are gorgeous local Airbnb and VRBO listings, as well as the hotels below!

Hampton Inn & Suites Boone

The Horton Hotel

Courtyard Boone

Travel

<a href="https://www.exploreboone.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Explore Boone</a> has a ton of activities, shops, and restaurants to enjoy!

Ezra & Gretchen

Ezra & Gretchen

Things to Do

Activities

Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

Tweetsie Railroad

Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation

Old Orchard Creek General Store

Restaurants

Stick Boy Bread Company

Coyote Kitchen & Lost Province Taproom

Boone Saloon