The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony and cocktail hour

Reception

COVID update

Our Wedding

Every year Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), an organization within Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTC), holds a picnic in August for new medical students to come and connect with older medical students and faculty. I was fortunate enough to be at the 2018 picnic where I got to meet Quinn.Quinn and I just started out as acquaintances. I was starting my third year of medical school, marked by rotation within the hospital, and Quinn was trying to figure out how to best manage all the craziness of medical school. So really, we only saw each other once a week at the weekly CMDA bible study.Okay... now the story gets better...**Fast forward 7 months to late February/early March**During one of the last Fridays of February, all of the medical students are required to go to a research event at VTC. Food is provided, so naturally all the medical students congregate by the food given our impressively depressing financial situation. I saw Quinn lining up by the hors d'oeuvres so I walked over and started talking to her. We had an awesome, and surprisingly deep conversation about life, family and faith.The next day, Quinn was flying out to Florida to visit a friend and I was looking for a reason to keep talking to her while she was traveling. So I started texting her about "The Enneagram" (a model of the human psyche used to type personalities into 9 groups), which is something she really likes. We talked about The Enneagram over the next week or so ( I really squeezed The Enneagram for everything it had so we could keep talking).When Quinn got back to Roanoke, I kept trying to come up with ways for us to hangout and see each other (I was still rotating through the hospital and didn't have much social time). Some of my strategies included having her take my blood pressure and studying in the library next to her.After about a month of weak attempts to hang out (now mid to late March), I got her to come over to my house to help me prepare a dinner for my neighbors who were coming over that night. We ran to the store to get groceries and then came back to my house to start cooking.**We're standing in the kitchen when it happens**Quinn looks at me and says, "What are you doing? What are your intentions with me?"This is a defining moment in our story... I had never experience such a power move like that before... I mean think about it... This was the beginning of the night and she was stuck at my house (I drove). She didn't know what I was going to say. I was so impressed by her boldness.I told her that I liked her and was interested in dating her, but not at that moment. That I still needed some time and she concurred. I knew, however, right when she asked me that question, that I was going to do everything in my power to date her (or at least that's what I told her).What I told her wasn't true though... My real thought in that moment was that I was going to do everything in my power to marry her. I knew before we even started officially dating that I wanted to marry her.On April 13th, two weeks later, we started dating.Quinn is such a beautiful woman for so many reasons, but I'll list only 3 (although I could be here writing all day...)First and foremost, she absolutely loves Jesus Christ which is so amazing. She recognizes that she cannot save herself through her intellect or abilities. That she is fundamentally flawed, but Jesus, who died for her, isn't and for that reasons has trusted Him to save her.Secondly, she is so talented. She is very smart, curious and has a high E.Q. which allows her to navigate social situations quite well.Thirdly, she is beautiful inside and out. It's rare to find someone who has such a strong moral fortitude and character, and who is also so pretty.I'm so excited for you all to join us on our wedding day as we celebrate and look forward to what comes next.

Stephen's Side

Stephen and I first met at the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) welcome picnic at the beginning of my first year of med school. Other than his clear desire to make the new students feel welcome and his apparent involvement&nbsp;in CMDA, the only thing I remember about him from that day was that he wore short shorts and looked cool playing football (the important things).&nbsp;A few weeks later, when he hosted a pancake breakfast for the first years to get to know us better, I left thinking, "Hm, that's a cool guy." I had only gotten a glimpse&nbsp;of how intentional&nbsp;and encouraging he was, but it was extremely clear how deeply ingrained&nbsp;those qualities were in him. It never crossed my mind that I might date this guy.&nbsp;Over the next couple of months, we saw each other regularly at CMDA bible study and I grew to appreciate what an integral member he was. Somewhere in those months, there was a time I saw him in the library while we were both studying and for the first time thought, "Huh, is he cute?" I quickly dismissed the thought, but those good looks obviously didn't just vanish.&nbsp;The next spring, there was a day in the library where he asked me to take his blood pressure.&nbsp;My first thought was, “Wow, a real medical emergency and I am still trying to figure out what the heart looks like, but this is urgent, so let’s go.” Then I started to realize there were clearly more qualified people in the library to complete this task and I thought to myself, “Wait a minute, this blood pressure reading might not be all about the blood pressure reading.” Over the next couple weeks there were several more “wait a minute” moments as I slowly caught on. I even gave him a "wait a minute" moment myself with a quick hug in a buffet line that bordered somewhere between a normal hug and a very platonic side hug. I guess it worked because he challenged me to a “worm-off” just an hour later? It still hasn’t happened though, so maybe we’ll do it May 23rd and you all can join the competition.We continued to see each other in bible study, we learned about each other’s strengths finder profiles and enneagram numbers, we went to Lowes and built things, and he provided me with a lot of Starbucks and Eggo waffles. I decided this certainly was not just normal interaction and, after talking to a friend from med school, I decided to call him on it and see if this was going somewhere or nowhere. So one night when we were making dinner for his neighbors, I did. In some jumbled mush of words I said something like, “This isn’t normal…intentions…what are they…with me…are you…do you have them? intentions?” Thankfully he jumped in and explained that he perhaps did.A week later we went on our first date and on some cold bench on the greenway we talked about and prayed over our relationship.&nbsp;Then, seven months later, we found ourselves again on that same cold bench on the greenway. The only differences this time were that it was slightly drizzling, Stephen had one wet knee, and we were talking about and praying over our marriage together.I love so many things about Stephen and could not be more excited to be marrying him. I have seen so clearly how everything about him is rooted in his very genuine faith. He is intentional with everything he does. He wants to know the people around him and wants to help them feel known. He is always growing and is constantly searching for ways to improve himself and executing them. He serves sacrificially. He commits to people, responsibilities, and relationships. He is thoughtful and supportive - identifying and meeting the needs of people around him. And, yes, he is in fact cute. Extremely handsome, actually.

Quinn's Side

Our Story

To reserve a room for a discounted rate, please follow this link: <a href="https://book.passkey.com/e/50124239" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://book.passkey.com/e/50124239</a> With a stay at Hotel Roanoke &amp; Conference Ctr, Curio Collection by Hilton&nbsp;, you'll be centrally located in Roanoke, steps from Roanoke Visitor Center and O. Winston Link Museum. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Taubman Museum of Art and City Market Building.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 330 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with Egyptian cotton sheets. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while video-game consoles and cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.Amenities Treat yourself with massages and facials. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as a spa tub, a fitness center, and a seasonal outdoor pool. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. Guests can catch a ride on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 5 mi.Dining Grab a bite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. Breakfast is available daily for a fee.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Roanoke? This hotel has 63,000 square feet (6 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available 24 hours).

Hotel Roanoke & Conference Ctr, Curio Collection by Hilton 

With a stay at Hampton Inn and Suites Roanoke Downtown, you'll be centrally located in Roanoke, steps from Art Museum of Western Virginia and History Museum of Western Virginia. This hotel is within close proximity of Center in the Square and Hopkins Planetarium.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 127 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 42-inch LCD televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, as well as phones with free local calls.Amenities Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness center, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and an arcade/game room.Dining A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is served daily.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. This hotel has 3 meeting rooms available for events. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

Hampton Inn and Suites Roanoke Downtown

Travel

There is great hiking around Roanoke! Great hikes include:1. McAfee Knob2. Dragons Tooth3. Devil's Marbleyard4. Sharp Top

Hiking

These are a few of our favorites:1. Lucky2. 202 Social House3. Big Lick Brewery4. Starr Hill Brewery5. Deschutes

Bars and Breweries

Here are some of our favorite places to eat at:1. Scratch2. Taaza3. River and Rail4. Local Roots5. Martins6. Jack Browns7. Tuco's Tacos8. Pops Ice Cream9. Our Daily Bread

Food

Looking for something else to do? Check these places out:1. Visit the Roanoke Star (Tallest free standing star in the world)2. Virginia Museum of Transportation3. Black Dog Salvage4. Taubman Museum of Art5. The Roanoke farmers market (center in the square on Saturday morning)6. Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway7. Stretch your legs on the Greenway

Things To Do In Roanoke

Things to Do

Stephen 's wedding party

Our 15 year old friendship started with a death threat made by Chris... Fortunately, it didn't pan out.

Chris Hewitt

Do you ever wonder if there is more to life than being really, really, really incredibly good looking? Mark has the answer: "No."

Mark Owen

I don't often play board games, but when I do... I lose to Nathan.

Nathan Owen

Benton is a stud and quite skilled in terms of generating revenue. If you've got a spare $200 lying around then I would suggest giving it to Benton. He might just casually turn it into $600.

Benton Weinberg

Ben is a legendary friend and dancer. When he steps on the dance floor, get ready. It's going to go down like a submarine with screen doors.

Ben Marshall

Extraordinary speller... and he can prove it. Check out his trophy case which contains his class of 2009 Walhalla High School spelling bee trophy!

David Cappellari

Don't let his dashing good looks fool you... he's brilliant.

Mr. Nick Merrill

He loves to hors(e) around, but at the end of the day, he's a very stable guy and one of my most trusted friends.

Fadi

He's got a face of stone and a heart of gold.

Tyler Willson

It's rare to find a man with such a great blend of intellect and chivalry. That's why finding a friend like Billy is one in a million.

Billy Hay

Awaiz is the best landlord I've ever had. I mean what other landlord so thoughtfully and consistently cleanses my sinuses with the food they prepare?

Stephen & Quinn

Stephen & Quinn

Wedding Party

Stephen 's wedding party

Quinn's wedding party