Abundant Life Farms

Mahr - Bell Wedding

Please RSVP by April 19th

Our Wedding

Some may say that Eric and I met by “accident. However, we know that with God, there are no accidents! In the summer of 2024, I was visiting my brother in Alaska like I did every summer for the past 7 years. This same summer, I worked at a Christian camp in Alaska before going back to my brother’s house. While at this camp, one of the counselors encouraged me to try online dating again. I just laughed and said “it never works.” She replied just try it one more time. After camp, I went back to my brother’s house and reluctantly downloaded an app ONE more time. I dont even know what made me do it. I was so against it. I guess just for the fun of it. I knew it wasnt going to result in anything...or so I thought. As I downloaded it, I literally said in my head “God, it never works. But I’ll do it one more time just to prove to you that it’s not going to work.” So not even thinking about location settings, I got on the app and started scrolling. Then I realized that it changed my location to where I only saw Alaska guys. Once I realized that, I thought about getting off. But again, I thought, it never works…so let’s just scroll for the fun of it. Well, before I knew it, I matched with a handsome guy named Eric. We chatted for a few days on the app and then he asked to meet me. We went to a local coffee shop called Kaladis on our first date. At the end of the date he asked if I wanted to hang out again later that day. I quickly replied YES. I have to stop here and mention a very important part of our story...the DING. This might sound weird to some, but to us, it was just another sign that God was working behind the scenes. A couple of months into dating, Eric told me that he was playing video games when we matched. He said he had not gotten on the app in a long time but that day while he was playing video games, his phone dinged and said somebody likes you. Well, on this particular app, you could only tell if somebody liked you if you paid for that feature. He did not pay for the feature so He didnt know WHO like him, just that somebody did. So he figured he would get on the app and just scroll for a little while. So he did. Then he swiped on me. And since I had already liked him...we matched! One time while we were talking on the phone a couple of months later, he paused and said Babe, what if I never heard that ding?! So, I will FOREVER be grateful for that DING!!! After 4 days of going out, I had to go back to NC. On the last night before heading home we were at Arby’s eating a late night snack and he said “well, before you go home, I want to make sure you know I want to do this long distance dating thing. I want to date you.” Being the over-thinker that I am, I said “are you sure?” He quickly replied “yes, you’re worth it.” So that was the start of our long distance relationship. In some ways the time between July and September was unbearable. However, it was also special and only brought us closer to each other. Thank God for technology. FaceTiming and phone calls was what our relationship was based off of for months at a time. The distance only made it that much more special when we did get to finally see each other again. Eric visited me for a week in NC back in September. Then I surprised him over Thanksgiving by flying to Alaska for a few days. Three weeks later, once I was on Christmas break, I went back to Alaska and we were able to spend 2 weeks together. This trip was obviously my favorite because I came home with a ring! When I was single/dating, many people would say, when you know, you know. That saying used to drive me crazy. Until now. After our first date at that coffee shop, I knew this was different. As I was getting on the plane to head home to NC in July, I said in my head “I just met my future husband.” It didnt take either one of us very long to know that this relationship was orchestrated by God. While long distance hasnt been easy, it hasnt felt hard either because we both have known all along that it was just right. I remember a Godly friend of mine once said to me “if God is in it, nothing can stop it.” Our relationship is a testament to that! Distance was no match for our God! We are both overwhelmed at Gods never-ending faithfulness in our lives. We cannot wait to start our lives together and see what God can do in and through our marriage. Thank you for your love and support as we embark on this new journey!

“Not an Accident”

Our Story

Q + A

“Big” sister who has had my back through all of the ups and downs of life. While we joke and tease each other 90% of the time, I am so grateful for the impact she has had in my life, in more ways than one. Twenty-one years ago, I was the junior bridesmaid in her wedding! I couldn’t do this day without her standing next to me ❤️

Megan Johnson

Church friend who God placed in my life 5 years ago. So thankful for her wisdom she daily speaks into my life. She has prayed MANY prayers for me throughout the years. Thankful to call her my friend and sister in Christ. She also makes really beautiful cakes 😉

Jess Grabeman

Best friend who lets everybody else know that she IS the best friend. All joking aside, I don’t know where I would be without her friendship over the past 6 years. It is bittersweet to say "goodbye" to her but there is no distance that will ever come in between our friendship. Couldn’t imagine doing this day without her ❤️

Kelby Hall

Cousin who has deeply supported me throughout the years in my dating journey. She has prayed many prayers for me. As kids we would have pretend weddings with dress-up clothes, so it is so special to have her as part of my big day! ❤️

Becca Holland

Future sister in-law who already feels like family! As soon as we met I knew I loved her and was so excited that she would one day become my sister! Thankful for the amazing family that I am marrying into ❤️ 

Alyse Horton

AK Sister in-law who has done as much wedding planning as I have! I was a bridesmaid in her wedding 17 years ago, so it's special to have her stand beside me now! So thankful that I’m going to be living in the same town as her come May ❤️ 
P.S. - May 24th is also her and my brother's anniversary! 

Kayla Mahr

Oldest niece who actually volunteered to be a junior bridesmaid 😉 She is growing into such a beautiful young woman! 💜

Klaire Mahr

Future niece who is a real life princess 👸🏼So happy this sweet girl gets to call me aunt soon! 💜

Maeve Horton 

Littlest, chunkiest and stinkin’ adorable AK niece! 🥰💜

Cece Mahr

Middle niece who could practically run the wedding by herself 😅 So excited to have this little firecracker be a part of my special day! 💜

Eleanor Mahr

Eric’s childhood friend and brother in-law since 2017 💙

Bryce Horton

Michael Fazio

Justin Franchino 

Michael Horton

Eric’s childhood friend since Elementary school💙

Dalton Johnson

Nik Smith

Youngest nephew who may or may not like the idea of being a ring bearer 😅Will is such a fun little guy with a huge personality! 💙

William Johnson

My only AK nephew who likes to dress like a stud 😎Deacon is literally one of the sweetest kids I know and Im so thankful to be his aunt 💙

Deacon Mahr

Coolest big brother there ever was. It is so special to have him marry us! Fun fact...May 24th is also his and his wife's anniversary! 

Daniel Mahr

Wes has been my pastor for the past 4 years. He has had an incredible impact in my walk with the Lord. I will forever be thankful for my Christ Church family. Fun fact...our church meets at Abundant Life Farm, the same place we will get married ❤️

Wes Johnson

Andrew Johnson is the guy who made me an aunt 17 years ago! He's the best musician in the family, so of course I had to have him play for our wedding. He will be playing the bass guitar and the electric guitar.

Leyla Gosselin is a talented cello player who is making my dreams of having a string "quartet" at my wedding come true! In addition to Andrew, she is accompanied by her father, Phil (acoustic) and her brother, Caleb (upright bass). 

Andrew Johnson/Leyla Gosselin

Handsome nephew who is taking his role as usher very seriously. P.S.- He really likes to talk. 

Levi Johnson

Handsome nephew! He also made our Cord of 3 Strand Board that will be used in our wedding ceremony!

Jacob Johnson

Wedding Party

Registry

Photos

Abundant Life Farm 

Hampton Inn

Holiday Inn Express and Suites 

There are other hotels but these are probably the nicest ones in Mt. Airy. You can also check hotels in King, NC. King is only about 5-10 mins from the wedding venue.

Travel

This is probably the most popular part of Mt. Airy. For those that do not know, Mt. Airy is also called Mayberry because it is the town from the Andy Griffith show. There are a variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops downtown. There is also a statue of Andy Griffith and an Andy Griffith/Mayberry museum.

Explore Downtown Mt. Airy

There is a short hike to the knob that has a beautiful overlook 

Pilot Mountain 

Things that you might not have in AK… Cookout. Burger joint that started in NC. Make sure you try the Cheerwine float! BBQ. Little Richards is pretty good if you want some NC BBQ. Chick Fil Ae. I’m not as much of a fan, but I know Alaskans don’t have access to the famous CFA sandwhich!

For Alaskans...

This is a neat place to visit. It’s actually in VA, but not far from the NC line. 

Jenna & Eric

Jenna & Eric

Photos