Our story is nestled between two pictures, the first of a duck and the second of a ship.

The Duck

There is a house called the Duck and the Goose. It's a seminary house flooded with duck and geese trinkets. It's an odd yet annual location for a seminary Christmas party. When Carrie Bryan and her friends arrived at the party in December 2023, Carrie proposed they take giftwrap and regift the D&G their ducks over the next 12 days, 12 Days of Christmas style. Carrie remained anonymous, insistent that she was neither stealing nor flirting.

To James Patten, the girl that stole the ducks was obviously flirting. He knew that anyone who would take and regift a large number of ducks had a great sense of humor, but apart from her name, he had no idea who Carrie was. Over the upcoming weeks James and Carrie were thrown into group settings with each another and both were amazed by the other's kindness, sincerity, and wonder. A few weeks later, James asked Carrie out for coffee.

The Walking Bridge

James planned to walk across the Louisville Walking Bridge with Carrie for a coffee, but their date was met by a heavy downpour and a steady wind chill (ask us about it!). Yet after the walk, James and Carrie were struck by the similarity in their stories and the commonality they had with life, music, and the church.

Many days and dates went by and Carrie and James continued to talk and learn about each other. When conflicts arose, they were honest with one another about their wrongs and forgave each other. When difficulties appeared, they leaned in hand-in-hand.

The Ship

There is an oil painting in the Mayflower, a woman's seminary house near the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, that holds a large oil paining of a the Pilgrim ship, the Mayflower. James continued to tell Carrie that he would eventually "steal" her ship like she and her friends "stole" ducks. Carrie would laugh.

Then on a Tuesday in September, Carrie walked from her room and saw that the painting had been removed. In its place was a note leading her on a scavenger hunt around her house, to the walking bridge, and finally to the Falls of the Ohio, where James was with not painting, but an engagement ring! To James's delight, Carrie agreed to marry him.

James and Carrie are so thankful for each other and they are thankful for the triune God that has graciously allowed them to meet, know, and marry one another. Please join us on our wedding day!