Our 25th Anniversary Vow Renewal

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

It may come as a surprise, but my mother and one of Diane’s mother’s in law, Helen Helfer, were responsible for connecting Diane and I.&nbsp; You see, Helen and my mother were officemates at HUD headquarters in Washington, DC.&nbsp;At the time, Helen was married to Victor Wilburn, Diane’s father.&nbsp;One day in March of that year, Helen informed my mother that Victor’s daughter, Diane, planned to spend the summer with she and Victor at their home on 5th ST, NW.&nbsp;She expressed concern that she didn’t know any young black men to introduce Diane to.&nbsp;She asked my mother for her assistance.&nbsp;Of course, my mother offered me as someone who could show Diane around.&nbsp; When I stopped by Mom and Dad’s house that weekend, Mom told me about her conversation with Helen and requested that I help Diane to get to know the DC area.&nbsp;My first question to my mother was as follows. “How old is she?” When I heard the number 18, (at the time I was 25) I was not at all happy.&nbsp;My immediate response was “ Oh no, Ma, come on!”&nbsp;But, how do you say no to your mother, especially my mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not too long after that conversation, I was invited to dinner in mid-May at the home of the Wilburn’s. I didn’t know how it was going to go, so I planned a second date later on that night.&nbsp;Truth is the food was good, the conversation was pleasant, the atmosphere was relaxed and I found Diane to be very attractive. After dinner, I took her on a short sightseeing tour of DC. We got along famously from the beginning. However, I had her home at 11:15pm.&nbsp;That was the start of a great summer together and a loving relationship that has stood the test of time and other marriages.&nbsp; For the past 25 years, we have been blessed to have each other as life partners.&nbsp;Our marriage has been a blessing from the Lord.&nbsp;One we are so grateful for.&nbsp;

Our Story

Photos

Karyn Simms

Dianne Brown

Lorraine Battle

Cynthia Turner-Graham

Ros Peaks

Kayla Salcedo

Janice Wilburn Wellington

Djangou Wilburn

Glenn Battle

Matt Battle

Benny McCottry

Greg Morrison

Jeffrey Wilburn

Wedding Party

Q + A

Battle Vow Renewal Room BlockStart Date:&nbsp;Saturday, July 19, 2025End Date:&nbsp;Sunday, July 20, 2025 SpringHill Suites By Marriott Columbia Fort Meade Area for 139.00 USD per night&nbsp;-&nbsp;Last Day to Book :&nbsp;Monday, June 16, 2025

SpringHill Suites By Marriott Columbia Fort Meade Area

Battle Vow Renewal Room BlockStart Date:&nbsp;Saturday, July 19, 2025End Date:&nbsp;Sunday, July 20, 2025 Hotel offering your special group rate:for&nbsp;249.00&nbsp;USD&nbsp;per night&nbsp;-&nbsp;Last Day to Book :&nbsp;Monday, June 16, 2025

Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Collection

Travel

We’re so excited to have you with us for our "We Still Do" Weekend! If you're looking to explore, we’d love to share some of our favorite spots around the hotels in Columbia, Maryland. Enjoy your time here—we can’t wait to make great memories together!

Breakfast/LunchJam Restaurant 6010 University Blvd Ellicott City MD 21043 410-750-3115 Hours: 6am-4pmSilver Diner 8250 Gateway Overlook, Elkridge, MD 21075 443-773-5213First Watch 6478 Dobbin Center Way, Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21045, 443-583-8890Hours:7am–11pm, Sunday–Thursday7am–1am, Friday–SaturdayLunch/DinnerGlenwood’s Restaurant 8900 Stanford Blvd, Columbia MD 21045 410-312-0445&nbsp;Hours:Monday thru Thursday: 11:30am - 10:00pmFriday: 11:30am - 11:00pmSaturday: 12:00pm - 11:00pmSunday: 11:00am - 9:00pmRoyal Taj Restaurant 8335 Benson DR Columbia MD 21045 410-381-1111&nbsp;Hours:Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:15pm Friday 11:30am-10:15pm Saturday 11:30am-9:15pm Tino’s Italian Bistro &amp; Wine Bar 8775 Centre Park Dr Columbia MD 21045 410-730-8466Hours: Sunday – Saturday 11:00 am -&nbsp;9:00&nbsp;pmCinco de Mayo Restaurant 8874 McGaw RD Ste, E Columbia MD 21045 410-481-7111Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday/Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 11am-930pmSushi King Restaurant 6490 Dobbin RD Suite F Columbia MD 21045 410-997-1269Hours: Monday-Saturday 11:30am-3:00pm, 5:00-10:00p, 11:30am-9:15pm&nbsp;Cured 18th &amp; 21st&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10900 Grantchester Way Suite 110 Columbia MD&nbsp;687-786-7111Hours: Sunday 10am-9pm Monday 11am-9pm Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pmSeasons 52 Restaurant 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Suite 3150 Columbia MD 21044 410-715-1152Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm Sunday 11:30am-9pmBrunch/AppetizersWalrus Oyster &amp; Ale House Columbia Mall 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia MD 21044 410-730-5738Hours:Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm&nbsp;Asean Bistro 8775 Centre Park Dr. Columbia,&nbsp;MD&nbsp;21045 410 772 5300Hours:Mon – Thu 11:00 am - 8:30 pm Fri -11:00 am - 9:30 pm Sat-12:00 pm - 9:30 pm&nbsp;Sun-12:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Things to Do

Registry

Program

battle.wedding

Lyals & Diane

Lyals & Diane

Photos

May 15, 1998

July 23, 2000

July 23, 2000

July 23, 2000

June 02, 2002

September 12, 2004

September 16, 2006

September 12, 2010

April 08, 2019

September 25, 2021

March 19, 2023

May 06, 2023

July 29, 2023

August 03, 2024