We attended the same law school - overlapping for a year even - but didn't meet each other during that time!

After an online introduction, (Thanks for creating the internet Al Gore!), we realized we had a lot of shared interests and values. James was a Christian who likes dogs (and cats), and Sarah was up for eating at hole in the wall Indian restaurants (though we still have never done that).

Sarah had two requirements when she began dating again; he had to be a Christian and he could not be an attorney. One out of two was close enough. For the record, (haha), James had always disavowed dating an attorney, but didn't object. =)

We bonded over our shared childhoods playing Mario Kart with our brothers and being in church plays; unsurprisingly, James played Judas, while Sarah was usually the pastor.

After we discovered each other online, we met for our first lunch date at a Chinese restaurant in Foggy Bottom, DC.

James knew to look for the pretty girl with the bright orange bag. Sarah was unimpressed with how early James scheduled his dates - his only flaw. She would overlook it. James was surprised when Sarah refused to sit outside with him on such a lovely sunny day due to her irrational fear of birds (which she told him about!). Indeed, her first words were "No. Birds." But James was too enamored with the new dress Sarah picked out just for the occasion to be discouraged. We conversed over General Tso's Chicken and Mongolian Beef. James figured that as long as he got General Tso's Chicken he would be happy no matter how the date went. And it went well! James was hooked by the time the bill came.

Later that day, (about 40 minutes after the first date ended), James invited Sarah to go Kayaking on the Potomac. Sarah anxiously strategized with friends on how to politely say no. A second date was in store, but kayaking was NOT going to happen! Sarah countered with a carefully crafted proposal of paddle boating on the Tidal Basin, still a water based activity, but without the fear of drowning! (Along with being afraid of birds, Sarah cannot swim.) Luckily, James responded that he was up for paddle boats and the second date was planned.

We spent the morning sunburning our knees on the Tidal Basin before migrating to the food trucks on the National Mall for lunch. James thought that Sarah was trying to leave, because she kept jumping up. But as it turns out, birds just like Gyros... and Sarah does not like birds. James kept mentioning his plans for a bike ride. Sarah wanted an invite - and got none. But all was not lost. The sunburns on our legs were painful reminders of how much we wanted to spend more time together!

We began scheduling regular weekend outings to picnic in a park near the White House and watch movies projected on an outdoor screen. James told his family about Sarah after she brought sandwiches layered with bacon and sent him home with freshly baked brownies. James knew Sarah was a keeper.

Almost exactly a year after our first date - May 20, 2016 to be exact - James proposed to Sarah. The proposal had been in the works for months. James commissioned a ring from Lucian Lee Jr., the proprietor of Hales Jeweler's in Greenville, SC (and James' cousin). James called Sarah's father to ask for his blessing.

James told Sarah that he had a lovely evening in store, and told her to wear a particular black lace dress. Upon this unusual request, Sarah suspected something was afoot. We went to the marina to board a dinner cruise for the evening. As we entered the ship, we were seated at a specially requested table for two along the port-side window. A bouquet of roses was waiting for Sarah, along with a bottle of champagne in a table-side chiller and commemorative champagne flutes. As we sailed along the Potomac at night, the monuments lighting up the horizon, we dined with the backdrop of live music. James was too anxious to finish his food - Sarah had no problem finishing it for him!

After dinner, James lured Sarah out onto the deck to view the monuments and enjoy the night air. Heeding a very specific request from Sarah, James waited until no one was around. He dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring he had carefully hidden inside his jacket pocket. Sarah said ... well, we all know what she said more or less. After enlightening James as to which finger to place the ring, and after James admonished her not to let it fall into the water, we kissed under the glow of the Jefferson Memorial.

James is the son of Kenneth and Lisa Rust, brother of Jordan Rust, and the first grandson of Rev. Robert (Grandaddy) and Catherine (Grandmamma) Lee and Mary Anne (Nana) and James "Randy" (Papaw) Rust. Nana likes to remind Sarah that she was the first Mrs. James R. Rust.

James grew up in Lumberton, North Carolina where he was a member of First Baptist Church and Boy Scout Troop 33. He attended Furman University and then moved to the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area in 2011 for law school. He graduated from GW Law in 2014 and stayed for work. James currently works as an attorney representing a federal government agency.

James enjoys riding his bike, going to the beach, and reading science fiction. He shares his apartment with a sweet little kitty named Sweet Little Kitty (seriously), that much like his fiancée, he initially met online.

I was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana. I attended Yorktown High School, graduating in 2009. I didn't make it very far after high school...I went to college at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I was a graduate of the Ball State Honors College with a major in Political Science and Economics and a minor in legal studies in Business.

I always knew I wanted to be an attorney. I started researching law schools when I was 12 years old. During undergrad I was able to have the opportunity to come to Washington, DC for a semester and work, while also taking a course where we interviewed people for CSPAN. That time cemented my fate that I was going to return to Washington, DC somehow. So when choosing law schools it seemed only logical that I would attend one in DC. George Washington University law school is incredibly well known for their Environmental and Energy law courses, which is what I wanted to practice, so it seemed like a natural fit.

I moved out to Washington, DC in August 2013 to start three years of law school. Max and Chloe, my ever faithful companions, willingly left their big yard in Indiana to move to an apartment in DC smaller than just the yard of old house. I made sure the apartment had an onsite dog park just for them. =) Now they are apartment dogs and are much happier laying on my bed, that they think is theirs, than actually going outside to play!

After graduating from law school I took the Virginia Bar Exam and was very fortunate to pass that test. During that time I accepted a legal fellowship with the American Wind Energy Association, where I still currently work as an independent legal consultant.

When I was very young I loved to go over to my Grandma Keller's house and help her cook! My favorite things to make were vegetable soup (because that was one of my favorites to eat!) and pork chops because she floured them first and I always thought that was so funny. We also made egg noodles together and at Christmas time all of the cousins would come over and we would make Christmas cookies and Caramels.

Between the Keller side of my family and my mom, I was bound to love crafting. I cannot draw to save my life, but I love to do a variety of crafts. My Aunt Marcia showed me how to make baskets and Grandma Keller taught me how to quilt so I could enter into my fourth grade 4-H fair. My mom is always working on some sort of craft project or another, so we were constantly doing something fun around the house.

When I was very little I wanted to be a "beauty shop lady," which is a beautician. I was very serious about this and would watch people getting their hair cut whenever I got the chance. Once I discovered the career option of being an attorney I let that fall by the side, but I still think that all things hair and makeup are fascinating and fun!

I am the only daughter of Dave and Kandy Keller. I have one brother named Grant, who is three years older than me. My dad, Dave, lives in Pendleton, Indiana in a house that we picked out. My mom, Kandy, moved to a little house in Middletown, Indiana that reminds her of her Grandma's old house! Grant moved out to Los Angeles after college and started his own company making websites. Dad also works in computer software, but neither of them like it when you ask how to make the printer work. =P

I grew up with three grandmas. My Grandma Keller, my dad's mom, lived close by and would frequently watch us growing up. My Great-Grandma, my mom's grandma, lived about 20 minutes away and we would go over to her house frequently to make caramel corn or work on making a "Dotty" doll on her manual sewing machine. My Grandma Raper, my mom's mom, lives in Middletown and always had pet birds at her house and different shapes of soap in the bathroom. I also had Bud, who is a friend of my Grandma Raper and always came to family events. Bud liked to make birdhouses and bird feeders and made a few super cool ones for my mom. He also used to raise bees and would bring us honey still on the comb!

Drive:

From Indiana- Washington, DC is pretty much a 9 hour drive on I-70 East

From Lumberton, NC- Washington, DC is about a 6 hour drive on I-95 North

Fly:

If you are flying, plan to fly into Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The venue is about 30 minutes away from this facility and most of the suggested hotels are very near the airport.

Parking at the venue will be very limited, so we ask that you plan not to drive.

Shuttle:

Below we have listed two hotels that we will be offering shuttle service to and from on the day of the wedding. If you are planning to use that service, please plan to be at one of the two pick up locations indicated at the time we will specify as the date approaches. Additionally, we ask that if you do plan to use the shuttle, please indicate that both on your mailed in RSVP and if you have a chance, send a message through the RSVP function on this website. We want to make sure that everyone has a seat. =)

Taxi/Uber:

The venue is located close enough to Washington, DC that both traditional Taxi service and Uber services are available.

Other:

If you will be staying at one of the small hotels or bed and breakfasts in the Middleburg or Aldi area (such as the three listed below), we can likely arrange transportation for you to and from the venue. Please contact Sarah directly or leave a message through this page for arrangements. We ask that you plan to coordinate this as soon as possible so that we can make sure to provide you with a ride.

We want each and every one of you to attend to the extent possible. If travel and transportation arrangements become an issue please feel free and encouraged to contact Sarah and she will help how she can.