The Lyons Farmette

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Summer

Our Wedding

Our story starts on a cold, winter evening on December 29, 2020 in Denver, CO. Zach was on his way with friends to a ski trip and stayed at his friend’s house in Denver the night before the trip. This is where Zach first laid eyes on Maddie, as she was the roommate of one of the friends who was going on the ski trip. Zach first noticed Maddie’s bright personality and sense of humor, as he watched her recite lines of Hamlet in character. Maddie first noticed that Zach looked like a child but found him to still be good company. This first interaction, yet brief, established a playful interaction that has not ceased to exist in our relationship today.&nbsp; Months later, Zach and Maddie run into each other at Louis Louis’ piano bar in Dallas the night before the OU/TX game. As patrons of a bar would be at such a late hour on a very infamous weekend, the pair were taking it easy and cutting loose. Laughter ensued, inside jokes were created, and banter was in full force. If the results of the 2021 OU/TX game were any prediction for what was in store for the couple, it looked like a bright future ahead.&nbsp; Having kept in touch sparsely over the past several months, Zach mentioned to Maddie that he was going to be in Colorado for a weekend trip and was wondering if she was going to be around. Maddie, exhausted from just having flown back from Paris, insisted that the two and some friends/family should get together for lunch. It was at this lunch that Maddie determined Zach did not look like a child anymore and where Zach became infatuated with Maddie’s humor and personality. Maddie remembers feeling like this interaction was different and made her ponder a bit more on her interest in Zach. As Zach and his sister were walking back to the car from lunch, he quipped (half joking; half serious) that he was going to marry Maddie one day.&nbsp; Fast forward another year, and the couple had started to frequent each other’s DMs more and more, as Zach lived in Seattle and Maddie lived in Denver. With every Instagram story that was posted, each knew that they could count on the other to respond or react.&nbsp; As March of 2023 approached, Zach mentioned to Maddie he was visiting a friend in Denver to ski for the weekend. It so happened that Maddie would be in town that weekend and it was proposed they meet up. Zach suggested breakfast and Maddie accepted. Although Maddie assumed that friends and company would be joining breakfast, she was surprised when she picked Zach up and only saw him. “Will it be just us for breakfast?” She asked, confused. “Yep! Just us” Zach replied. Breakfast, at the beloved Onefold, Maddie was still confused if it was a date or not. As Zach would say, “we will never know….” But he did know that he wanted to get to know her better during breakfast and Maddie soon realized that a lot of their life goals had aligned. She invited herself to join him on his year-long travel escapades and he liked that she was willing to go with him. After breakfast, they had a very interesting experience at Meow Wolf with friends.&nbsp; After Zach left Denver, the DMs continued. With the flame being lit and the interactions becoming more frequent and welcoming, the two were discussing seeing each other again a month later at a mutual friend’s wedding. As the flirting intensified, Maddie pushed Zach to take her out on a date following the wedding. He obliged and assured her it’s a done deal.&nbsp; It was the weekend of “the wedding”, April 22, 2023. They first saw each other at a cocktail hour the night before the wedding. In a crowded room, it didn’t take long for them to become immersed in each other. As they conversed, it felt like the rest of the room became faint background music. They departed that night eager for the day ahead. The next day after the ceremony, the two quickly found each other and it wasn’t long before they found the dance floor. They were inseparable the rest of the night.&nbsp; The day after the wedding, the two went on a brunch date to Roosevelts and went to the Gathering Place after. The conversations were filled with talks about life, love, and dreams they both had. Although the date lasted several hours, time flew by and Maddie dropped Zach off at the airport for his flight back to Seattle. Zach wanted to kiss Maddie, but he thought it was better safe than sorry. A couple days later, Maddie texted Zach that she bought a ticket to fly up to Seattle that weekend. Things started to move quickly, but both didn’t mind the pace. That following Thursday, Zach picked Maddie up from the Seattle airport and surprised her with a welcome basket, filled with snacks, some beauty products, and a handwritten card. The couple grew more smitten with each other by the day.&nbsp; They spent the weekend exploring Seattle and quickly learned how much fun they had together. The weekend flew by, and Zach dropped Maddie off at the airport. They didn’t explicitly define their relationship before Maddie left, but both basically said they were exclusive. Zach wanted to make it clear and explicit, so when he flew to Denver the following weekend, he wrote Maddie a note and asked her to be his girlfriend. Confused because she thought they already were boyfriend and girlfriend, she said “yes.” That night, they shared their first kiss. As long distance continued into the summer of 2023, they both knew they loved each other, but neither had said the “L” word yet. Zach planned a date to grab dinner and then share a bottle of wine watching the sunset at Gas Works Park in Seattle. There, he said he loved her, and she said it back happily. In October, Zach and Maddie were traveling in Europe at the same time but with different companies. They met up in Tuscany for a few days to celebrate Maddie’s birthday. This would be their first international trip together, the first of many more to come. In Jan of 2024, Zach quit his job to travel the world. He had been planning this dream for a very long time, and Maddie was very supportive of it. Although long distance was tough that year, they made the most of it and shared many memories in different countries. Maddie joined Zach in Patagonia (Southern South America), Croatia, and Thailand. They look back fondly at all these places, but they cherish Thailand the most because that is where Zach proposed… Zach left for Asia in October, the last leg of his around-the-world trip. The plan was to meet up with Maddie and friends at the end. He planned to propose in South Thailand on a beach. Zach carried the ring in his hygiene bag, buried in a medication container. He was certain no one would find it, especially Maddie. Two weeks before everyone met up, Zach broke his foot in a motorbike accident in Indonesia. Alone and in pain for the next two weeks, he was eager to see Maddie and friends. Although not in favorable conditions, he was still set to propose on the beach. Two weeks later, everyone met up in Bangkok, and Maddie brought Zach an orthopedic boot. Zach stayed hopeful and optimistic to still participate in everything that was planned for the group. As a united group, they had a blast in Bangkok and Northern Thailand, doing a food tour, a cooking class, and visiting an elephant sanctuary. They then made it down to Krabi, in southern Thailand, where Zach suggested they take nice photos on the beach before a fancy dinner. There was a little suspicion that something was up, but Maddie eventually convinced herself it wouldn’t happen on the beach because what crazy person would carry an engagement ring around the world for 6 weeks! The group rode their motorbikes down to the beach at sunset and started taking pictures. When it was Maddie and Zach’s turn to take pictures, Zach used his broken foot to act like he fell in the sand, but he was really getting down on one knee. Shocked, Maddie began to jump up and down with giddy excitement and laughter. Thank God she said yes! The two then went to a nice dinner by themselves and reveled in the excitement and joy of knowing they will have their best friend by their side for the rest of their lives.

Invisible String Theory

Our Story

Photos

Maddie has known Megan her whole life. She heeds wisdom (mainly what not to do) from her big sister. While sisters have an unforgettable bond, Megan and Maddie became close when Megan moved back home to go to school at TU. They decided they liked hanging out with each other. Now Maddie calls Megan everyday to talk to her best friends (Mac and Collins). 

Megan Leach

Maddie has also know Lydia since birth. They are 14 months apart and have some of the best memories of growing up together. They spent time collecting different Polly Pockets so that together, they would have a complete collection. 

Lydia Franklin

Maddie and Addi often get confused for each other. It's for good reason because they both have loud and vibrant personalities. In college, they were attached at the hip. Addi is everyone's greatest cheerleader and Maddie is forever thankful. 

Addi Wilson

Megan came into Maddie's life at the ripe age of 18. She will be stuck in the family forever (thankfully!). They have enjoyed many memories together, including walking across New York City until Maddie's feet bled (literally). 

Megan Mantle

It's cliche we know! But Maddie and Mallory met on bid day 2015 and it forever changed the course of each others lives. Mallory has been a constant friend and encourager. She puts up with the nickname "Ducky" and will always be Maddie's little. 

Mallory Dewey

MK and Maddie have been lifelong friends thanks to their dads, however, their friendship became real in college. MaryKate made Maddie a grandma. Their friendship has spanned many years and continues to be a source of deep joy as they encourage each other through different seasons of life.

MaryKate Hall

Lol by now, I'm sure you get it! However, Ann and Maddie became quick friends after Ann pledged Kappa. Ann being a baby freshman, had a class close to Maddie on Tuesdays. One day, early in the semester, she told Maddie she was going to follow her to her house to hang out - pretty bold to say to a senior. She later became part of the family and is the glue that keeps us together. 

Ann Young

Maddie and AC met doing Young Life together. While it was later in college, the two had a friendship that is irreplaceable. Maddie had the pleasure of living with AC in college while simultaneously becoming a trio with AC's now husband, Trace. She can also read between the lines to know that he was using her to get to AC.  

Anne Claire Reaves

Sarah Jane was the first person Maddie met at church when moving to Denver. Maddie prayed for people to show up in her life and God literally placed SJ directly in front of her. They have been friends through the many seasons in Denver from skiing, hiking 14ers (not Maddie's choice), and everything in between. 

Sarah Jane Bryant

Mallory and Maddie never met at school even though they both went to OU and ran in similar circles. God had a plan that they would be best friends forever. They have spent many nights on the couch binging terrible reality tv, eating Torchy's. 

Mallory Carpenter

Linda slowly came into Maddie's life in early moments in Denver. The two bonded over their [interesting] senses of humor and health concerns. People can't quite put their finger on what goes on when these two get together. You'll see!

Linda Feldman

Tanner and Maddie have travelled the literal world together. They have gone from Iceland to Germany, Austria, Italy and France to Thailand. Tanner mainly laughs at Maddie and Maddie continues to add the comedic relief. 

Tanner Smith

Maddie and Sydney met in 2022 and fell in love instantly. It was one of the reasons why Zach and Maddie are together today. They have shared too many laughs to count and can always count on as hype women. 

Sydney Smalling

Sam has been in Zach’s life since birth, and from day one, he’s been a steady and loyal presence. He’s the kind of brother who always shows up and has your back, no matter what. Sam and Zach share a deep passion for international travel and experiencing new cultures. 

Sam Smalling

Blake has always been in Zach’s life. Blake is a dependable older brother and, like Zach, loves to be immersed in nature and enjoy the serenity. Blake has one of the most gracious, loving hearts and exemplifies quiet strength and unwavering support.

Blake Smalling

Zach and Ben have been good friends since high school. They also lived together in Seattle. From very early on in their friendship, they have aligned on many things and share the same sense of humor. Ben is super reliable and is always down for an adventure. To celebrate graduating high school, they went skydiving together.

Ben Collins

Zach met Kevin very early on in college through a leadership organization. They got coffee together one morning and found out they have many things in common and instantly connected. Kevin is someone who gives consistent advice and is steady in his wisdom. They have bonded through many laughs and adventures - like traveling across Europe together the summer after freshman year in college. 

Kevin Duong

Braden and Zach met as freshman in college through their fraternity. Braden has always been a consistent friend and is someone you can have deep, honest conversations with. Braden is knowledgeable on many different things in life and always brings a light-heartedness to the group. They have made it a tradition to always meet up every year for OU/TX.

Braden Reid

Zach met Bailey very early freshman year through their fraternity. They lived together junior and senior years. Bailey is a steadfast, supportive friend and Zach greatly admires how Bailey handles himself and the genuine love he has for others. Bailey completes the trio for the OU/TX shenanigans every year. 

Bailey Champagne

Zach also met Trevor through their fraternity freshman year. Easily one of the funniest people around, Trevor is a great example of staying true to yourself. Whenever encouragement is needed, he never fails to deliver the right words. Zach has made a point to visit Trevor in every city he’s lived in since college, which is several.

Trevor O’Connell

Zach met Mason a couple of years ago and immediately noticed his dedication to his family. He is a hard worker and strives to always be involved in the lives of people he loves. Zach is excited to have him as a future-brother-in-law and to make more memories, like taking more photos together

Maddie & Zach

Maddie & Zach

Q + A

What should I wear?

What is transportation like?

What will the weather be like?

Are kids welcome?