It all began three days before I became a fiance, too. Alyssa and I shared love stories, coffee, and each walked away thinking (and me hoping) that there was a new friendship in the making.
Sometimes you just know,
when a love story grips you,
that this new Pattengale Couple has something special.
Meet Taylor & Alyssa.
*Cue their love story that’ll make you skip a beat or two…
“I first met Alyssa at a cookout. A friend or hers dated a good friend of mine. They thought Alyssa and I should meet.
After the cookout a group of us went to a bar to hang out and dance. A friend of mine had a few too many and turned into quite the dancer. Alyssa, being the fun-loving person she is, danced with him. I now know that Alyssa will dance with anyone. Thank goodness she was not interested.”
“The next time we hung out was at the rocks on the James River with groups of friends. When Alyssa and her friends walked in, a friend of mine was quick to call “dibs” on Alyssa. But later that night Alyssa and I started to hit it off. The attraction was clear and I knew I was starting to like her. When we were able to talk, I asked her if she had any interest in my other friend. She did not.
Now it was my turn…”
“The more I hung out with Alyssa the better she got. It was almost like I was looking for something to happen, something that would go wrong that would make this relationship come to an end.
I couldn’t find it.
She was great.
Alyssa is a sweetheart, she got along with my friends, eats healthy, and likes to work out. She’s active and she’s a morning person that likes to try out new brunch places. And, she likes the Cowboys! Alyssa had everything I wanted in a girlfriend and more.”
*Cue the tears
“Taylor was the man that – as crazy as this may sound – made me realize I could be 100% happy again without fear of that the happiness ending. I could be treated like a little princess and I could be cared for like a queen.
My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer when I was in high school. I lived with my father and my stepmom all throughout middle school and high school. My father was the most amazing person. He taught me what it was liked to be loved and how a man should treat a woman. After he passed away while I was in college, I thought that maybe I was just hypersensitive and a little too picky about specific requirements for any guy I’d fall in love with.”
Before Taylor proposed, in this exact spot at Forest Hill Park, he went to the cemetery and asked for permission from Alyssa’s father.
Yes, I have chills too.
“Confession: When I considered my future in getting married and having a family, I have always been really nervous about the potential of having a baby girl. I had the perfect father. So I was afraid I’d scrutinize the way my husband – whoever he was – would be with our daughter because my personal experience was so great.
But then there was Taylor.
And I knew he was THE ONE.
I am confident that Taylor is going to make the PERFECT dad to any child we have and equally the perfect husband. Just like my dad.
The truth is: I just trust Taylor with everything that I am.”
“It was September 22, 2013 when it all began on a paddle board. From that Sunday on, I attended most all “Football Sundays” with a house full of boys. I was the only girl, but I loved every bit of it. Not only because those guys are my absolute favorite, but because my man was there too. And if sitting in a dark room with at least 5 guys farting and making stupid, but hilarious comments was the way to Taylor’s heart, by golly I was going to do it. And I did.“
“As our relationship grew I noticed that I could see a future with her. I could see how independent Alyssa was. I could see that she will be a great mother. She’s the most genuine person I know and she has a huge heart.”
“I can’t pin point the exact moment when I fell in love with Alyssa. It was more of a combination of many moments that lead me to that realization. Love snuck up on me, you could say. But this past May I decided it was time to lock her down.”
I. Can’t. Handle. Her. Eyes.
“My relationship with Taylor has never really been expressed through hand written notes or the gushing confessions of love towards each other. Rather, it’s been through looks and touch. I swear I didn’t think that I could continuously feel that “butterflies in your stomach” type of love through a kiss each and every time we lock lips…but it still happens and it’s CRAZY!”
Quite simply, I’m dead.
Taylor & Alyssa, your love story & easy-going personalities makes my heart pitter-patter a little faster. Thank you for trusting me with your photography and for allowing me to be a part of your story. Even more than that, thank you for being so vulnerable & kind with each other. You’ve made an impact more than you’ll know. I can’t wait for your wedding next spring!
P.P.S. These two have a fur baby named Whitten. Keep your eyes peeled for a few sneaks of him + the jerseys that represent so much of Alyssa & Taylor’s every-day-life.
Always,
–Tara M.
