K & M Barn at Lewis Farm

Wedding Day

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Our Wedding

So our story actually starts out around Thanksgiving of 2011. I (Sarah) just so happened to be at one of Haden's family thanksgiving's as a guest, and that is where we met. Haden so affectionately likes to tell people we met at a family gathering (you can only imagine the looks we get)! That night we stood out in the yard for what was probably an hour arguing about what constellation was in the sky that night (the big dipper vs. orion's belt). We were both so stubborn and firm in our beliefs of what constellation we were looking at that night, and once the night was over I thought that was it. But somehow we got each others phone numbers and the argument continued. We would randomly text each other which constellation we thought it was, and eventually that would lead into other conversations. We started to learn more about each other, like his birthday was only 4 days after mine - on Halloween! So then, every year we would text each other Happy Birthday (Haden sometimes early, or late, and sometimes on time) and a couple of weeks/months worth of conversation would follow and drop off around the new year for about 8 years until 2019-2020. That year our conversations never dropped off after the new year! They actually turned into texting all day and late night phone calls where we would just talk about any and everything. And then suspiciously on Valentine's weekend, Haden came to Chattanooga to "see his cousin". And let me tell you Me, Haden, his cousin Peyton, and Savannah had us a time! We went to sky zone, and slid down cardboard hill, ate dominos, and I taught everyone how to swing dance! That weekend I laughed so hard i cried multiple times (probably developed some abs) and felt true and genuine joy. It has become a core memory for me. Then he continued to come to Chattanooga 2 more times before spring break where he got to meet more of my friends, go to sunset rock at midnight, and swing dance some more! Now at this point I was living in lala land. I had told Haden I wasn't looking to date (because we had been "talking" for 3 months but he had never actually told me he liked me) and I was taking him at his word that he came to see his cousin and we were just friends. But then I got into a relationship and then Haden got into a relationship and our conversations became much much less. Back to our "Happy Birthdays" and "How are yous" that ultimately stopped after the 2nd response for about a year. Then, my relationship ended and I was home for the summer. But on my way home I took highway 64 which is a route Haden has always told me I should take because I would love it, and he was absolutely right. That summer, Haden was truly a great friend to me all while still being in his own relationship. He would invite me to come over and hang out with all of his friends and play pool, he wouldnt mind when I just randomly was sitting in his garden looking at the stars because thats where my late night drives took me, and we would just talk. Well he would let me talk and he would listen. We even went on a double date (where we actually talked to each other more than our dates!) The end of summer came and back to Chattanooga I went. Our annual Happy Birthday texts came around and conversation actually lingered again this year (2021). It even continued through the mission trip I was on that took me halfway across the world and he had to download a secure messaging app just to talk to me. We would text during the short pockets of time we were both awake. But when I finally returned to the States, it was radio silence. He was figuring stuff out with his (ex) girlfriend. I had previously made jokes to him that we would only talk when one of us was single, but this truly felt like a blow I wasnt expecting. I ranted and raved to Savannah about it (she could probably see through my rage and saw jealousy because I liked him but couldnt admit it). I was so tore up about it that one day I called Haden to talk about it, and he didnt answer, so naturally I left him a voicemail telling him exactly how I felt about the situation (but not how I felt about him), and lets just say it wasn't the nicest voicemail. And then we didn't talk to each other for almost 6 months. It is now summer of 2022 and I have gotten into the habit of taking Haden's route home. One specific day, im taking this route home and I just cant stop thinking about Haden. Savannah can vouch - i had been really upset about how our friendship seemingly ended and had brought him up a lot. I had tried looking him up on social media to check on him to see how he was doing, but he was a ghost! Once, I made it home, after a lot of prayer and talking with friends about it, I texted Haden just to see how he was doing. And if Haden were telling this this is where he like to say he almost wrecked his truck when he saw my text come through because he couldn't believe I had texted him. He, of course, instantly replied. He tried to invite me on a double date with some of his friends, but I wasnt quite ready for that (still thinking we were just going to be friends - but also recognizing I had been crushing hard on this boy) so we settled on dinner at the local Tex Mex place. He came and picked me up and took me out to eat. At first it was a little awkward, but once we got past the apologies we jumped right back in like old friends catching up with each other. Some of his friends were there eating as well and came over and invited us to come play cornhole with them later that night. I don't think either of us really wanted the night to end, so we went to play cornhole. And then a few nights later we went and hung out at the river and laid on the docks looking at the stars and settled which constellation was in the sky that night. As the summer went on we continued to talk and hang out more and more until one day I just straight up asked him "what are we doing here" and I FINALLY got some clarity! ( He really liked me - which was news to me, I know i know how could I not have noticed). This conversation prompted him to ask me to go on a proper date with him! So he took me to the drive in movies to see Where the Crawdads sing and Top Gun Maverick. It was such a sweet and fun, and late night. I mention late because we got back to his parents house at like 2:30 am and had to leave from there at 5:30 am to go out on the lake with some of his college friends the next day. Fast forward a little to closer to the end of the summer and he officially asks me to be his girlfriend and obviously I said yes. I was nervous and scared and didnt want to ruin the great friendship we had, but I could tell this time, this relationship was different. It was better. And that was truly from the Lord. SINCE WE'VE BEEN DATING The summer came to an end and I had to go back to Chattanooga. As much as long distance has been no fun, I honestly dont think I would have it any other way. We were forced to address conflict early and often, we got to learn more about each other as people, and see different sides of each other we never had before. He would come to Chattanooga often and I would go home often just so we could see each other and spend time with each other. A common question asked is when did you know you loved each other or when did you know they were "the one" and honestly Haden knew way before me. After living in Chattanooga where I had found my people for 6 years, I was struggling with the idea of the potential of forever out in the country. Haden and I had talked about this a lot and he was adamant on staying and I was not a fan of that. So we both started praying for more open hearts to stay or to leave. And one day he made a small comment about considering moving for me and that was when I knew. It wasn't a big grand moment, but it was an answered prayer from the Lord, and I knew I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him wherever that was. Then, he helped me and my parents pack up and move me to Memphis for PT school. That first semester was ROUGH, but being a whole hour and a half closer meant we got to see each other more. He has been so gentle and kind and supportive and loving and caring for me in this season, and it definitely hasn't been the best. But further solidfying this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. OUR ENGAGEMENT STORYOne random Thursday night Haden calls me and asks "what kind of ring do you want?". And of course a million and one thoughts are racing through my head but they only thing that comes out is "what?", so he asks again. I instantly pull up my pinterest and send him some screenshots of my dream ring. Once we end the call I am so giddy and can hardly sleep, but also thinking we wont be engaged for several more months. Apparently, THE NEXT DAY he went to the jewelry store and bought my ring with some money he had got from selling some cows. His mom sent out a group text planning a luncheon to celebrate him graduating from his MBA program for the next sunday after church. Sunday comes and his dad is saying the prayer and out of the corner of my eye I see Haden go down. Now im thinking "did he just fall? he does have bad knees" but when I look he is down on one knee holding a ring. BEST SURPRISE EVER. Of course I said yes! I was getting to spend the rest of my life with my best friend! The Lord is so gracious and kind to bring us together. He truly is faithful, because so many of my prayers have been answered in that moment and many moments to come. SINCE ENGAGEMENT Truly, engagement has not been my favorite season of life. It's had its perks, but it is not fun. We have fought and cried more since we have been engaged than before. But it has brought us closer to the Lord and closer to each other. We have been able to work on updating his house (hanging wall paper is not for the faint of heart) and work on planning our wedding all while preparing for marriage itself. We cannot wait to finally celebrate this day surrounded by all of our friends and family who have loved and supported us! It has been a long time coming (14 years to be exact) but we are getting closer each and every day to forever!

Long Story Long Time Coming

Our Story

Photos

Savannah Merritt

Alyse Frazier

Zoe Cassell

Emma Kelly

Shelby Bawcum

April White

Hunter Middleton 

John Lawson Keeton

Jacob Davenport

Tanner Webb

Dawson Jowers

Tyler Teague

Wedding Party

Q + A

!! Room Block Information !! - 41 minutes from venueRoom Rate: $152/ night for either 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. You can check in either Friday 10/3 or Saturday 10/4.You can use the link above to book or call 731-868-3500 ext 1 and Mention "Sarah Hawkes and Haden Bawcum Wedding" Please try and reserve rooms by September 12th!

Hilton Garden Inn Jackson

18 minutes from Venue (K&amp;M Barn at Lewis Farms)

Hampton Inn Milan TN

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jackson

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jackson Northeast, an IHG Hotel

Travel

Churches

Head Elder: Scott FloydService is at 11:00 am

Grace Presbyterian Church 

Head Pastor: Keith CagleService Time: 10:30 am

First Baptist Church

Senior Pastor: Dr. Adam DooleyService times: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am

Sarah & Haden

Sarah & Haden

S&H

Wedding Day