Our tale begins in 2002 when Michael was recruited to the St. Francis High School baseball team. Lulu and Michael were both juniors in high school. They shared mutual friends but hadn’t truly connected. To Michael, Lulu was the artsy spirit with a tendency for rebellion. To Lulu, Michael was the sporty guy from a very big family who stayed clear of trouble. She came from a very small family and had little interest in sports. They were indeed an unlikely match.

Yet, life, with its twists and turns, shaped them into the individuals they are today. Lulu pursued her passion for the arts at UGA and embarked on some adventurous trips around the world, including an extensive journey around Asia. Michael’s commitment to baseball earned him a scholarship to Young Harris and then to Penn State. He went on to coach at Auburn and then moved to Oklahoma, where he coached softball for eight years.

Then, in an unexpected twist of fate in 2021, Michael and Lulu found themselves reunited through a mutual friend. That night, they bonded over games and a shared love for oysters.

In Michael, Lulu recognized many qualities that she deeply respects. She couldn’t have found a stronger, more supportive man who does an amazing job of keeping her feet on the ground, as challenging as that may be!

In Lulu, Michael discovered her creative, rebellious spirit suited him better later in life. He loves the way she sees the world around her and is constantly amazed by the beautiful things she creates.

In recent years, they’ve found solace at Michael’s family farm in Grady, Alabama. Atop the hill, they’ve enjoyed countless breathtaking sunsets that paint the horizon with a mesmerizing palette of warm hues. These sunsets have rightfully earned the hill its name, Dream Hill. So it makes sense that it was here, amidst the beautiful landscape and orange skies, in the very spot Michael’s dad proposed to his mom, that Michael asked Lulu to marry him!

Now, they’re ready to begin a lifetime of shared moments, from family shindigs to exciting travel escapades. Their first stop? Costa Rica for their honeymoon, where new memories await.

They invite you to join them as they celebrate their marriage in the magical gardens Lulu grew up in, filled with so many touches of Lulu’s mother and father. Penny designed and planted a beautiful English garden 35 years ago when they moved here from South Africa. Chris’s amazing woodworking skills brought Penny’s vision of rose-covered arches, beautiful statues, and carefully designed paths leading to cozy gazebos and lush green hideaways to reality. Let us gather in this sacred space, beneath the rose arbors and the fragrant blooms, to celebrate their marriage.