Tina + Neil : Destined for Decades
Meet Tina and Neil, future bride and groom of Castleton Farms whose stories entwine long before the two were even born. This story begins in Zimbabwe in the 1960′s with the friendship of their grandparents, and after Tina and Neil’s (not-so) coincidental first meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding reception 50 years later in February of 2010, they soon realized that they wanted to create a future together that matched their long families’ history. The two were engaged a year later and are now anticipating their upcoming May wedding at Castleton. Here are the details of their love story in Tina’s own words:
It all began February 19, 2010, while attending a mutual friend’s reception. I went to the event thinking it would just be a nice college get-together with all of my friends. I never imagined meeting the guy that I would fall head over heels for so quickly. That night we all went to a local hangout spot to celebrate and catch up. I was introduced to Neil by his sister. We said “hi” and shook hands. The next day at the reception, my dad asked if I had met Neil’s mom yet. I said no but that I had met Neil and his sister the night before. Apparently, our families go way back, all the way back to 1960 or so. Our grandparents were best friends back in Zimbabwe, which led to our dads being good friends as well. I knew his uncles but had never met his dad; therefore, I never knew Neil and his family existed. My dad went on to tell Neil’s mom that his daughter had met her kids the night before. Sadly, Neil had no memory of it. So, I took the liberty of introducing myself again! We swapped a few words here and there throughout the night. I was doing my best to impress him but be subtle about it. The weekend ended, and I headed back to Nashville. The entire drive home all I kept thinking about was how crazy it was that we had never met before, but our families knew each other for years.
When I got back to Nashville, I did the first thing any girl would do. I drove over to one of my best friend’s house to tell her all about Neil. There was something about him that I couldn’t quite get a grip on. I took the liberty to look him up on facebook and add him and his sister as friends. I never thought in a million years he would inbox me with a facebook message, but HE DID!! He was curious to know how our families knew each other and to ask if I enjoyed the weekend. I went on to tell him about our family’s history. After a few facebook messages and emails, we realized we had so much in common and knew we wanted to get to know each other more. For the next two months, we exchanged numerous emails, phone calls, and I even managed talking him into video chatting with me. Within those two months of talking, I found out he would be moving from Greenfield, Indiana, to Ontario, California, to attend dental school. I thought to myself, ‘can I even do long distance?? Will he be willing to move to a new city with new adventures with a girlfriend? Will we even get to see each other?’ I was hesitant at first but figured I would never know until I tried. On April 23, 2010, we had our first date in Nashville, TN. The entire weekend was amazing. I had finally met someone who I had so many things in common with me, and I could be my goofy self around him. The weekend ended with us deciding to be a couple.
While Neil was living in Indiana for the next two months, I was trying to decide if this was even going to work. He always assured me that things would be fine even with his big move. Neil finally made his big move to California, while I was working in Tennessee. We spent the next year video chatting every free minute we had even if was to watch him study for hours at a time. We even managed to have a few visits here and there.
About a year later, Neil decided to ask my dad for his blessings to marry me. Although he was so busy with school, he still took the time to plan out the BEST PROPOSAL ever! Exactly one year after our first date, Neil flew in for the weekend. He planned a picnic for our one year anniversary at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. I’m not into the romantic scene, so the entire time I kept asking Neil if we could hurry and that I was hot. Little did I know, he was texting my little brother to tell him where we were so that he could capture our moment on camera. About 30 minutes later, Neil dropped to his knee and asked “Will you marry me?” I guess you guys know the answer to that. I was SO excited and couldn’t wait to tell my family. I picked up the phone to call my parents, but they were being very distant about it and barely talked to me. We got back to the apartment, and Neil said he planned a dinner as well. I kept asking where we were going but all he said was, “Quit asking questions.” We got to the restaurant and he asked me to open my eyes. My entire family was there to celebrate my special night with me. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate something that was so exciting for me.
On May 27, 2012, I will be walking down the aisle to FINALLY marry the man of my dreams. He has done an amazing job balancing his life between school and me and I’m so thankful for that. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to share the rest of my life with.
Check out Tina and Neil’s lovely engagement shoot by Natalie Ebaugh Photography. Isn’t Tina STUNNING?! We know she will make one beautiful bride.
Congratulations, Tina and Neil! We look forward to spending your special day with you (and sharing it with readers later!), and we wish you the best as you plan your wedding and your life together.
Love, CF
