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Jennings' Perspective...
Tanner and I vaguely knew of one another as Clemson freshmen, but were never formally introduced until senior year. Throughout our relationship, we have endlessly laughed realizing how often we were in the same place at the same time during college, but never bumped into each other in spite of all our mutual friends. We even have a picture I took with some girlfriends before a Kappa function our junior year where Tanner was standing right behind us!
While that could easily be chalked up to just a small-town college thing, it shows us the way God was writing our story from the very start in ways we couldn’t have possibly imagined or planned on our own, and His timing is everything!
The person we credit for the start of our relationship is my best friend, Riley Wilson. The summer before our senior year, Riley and Tanner became friends working at Clemson football camps. The following January, my girlfriends and I were celebrating Riley’s birthday at Loose Change. Not long after we arrived, Riley grabbed my arm, and said, “Come on, I HAVE to introduce you to this guy, Tanner. He is perfect for you- tall, loves the Lord, and a goofball just like you!” I followed her out to the back porch and easily spotted Tanner in the crowd. As we walked towards him, he flashed a big smile my way (I think it's fair to say I fell in love with his blue eyes and dimples right then and there). He greeted me with a big hug and an enthusiastic “Hey, Jennings!” I was immediately taken by the sound of his voice and felt an overwhelming peace as our conversation flowed like old friends. The next day, I told my girlfriends that this was going to be something special. I was going to date this guy!
Our friends’ favorite punchline is that we fell in love in a “hopeless place,” aka Loose Change, and I’ll always be thankful for the laughter this brings us. Daily I find myself in awe of how God wove our stories together, and pinch myself that the man I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl exceeds every trait and characteristic I’ve been praying to see in a husband and best friend. Thank You, Jesus for my incredible husband-to-be and for hand picking us for one another!
Tanner's Perspective...
We found love in a hopeless place (or at least that is how the Rihanna song goes!) During my last semester at Clemson, my buddies convinced me to go out for some drinks at Loose Change. Who would have thought a cold night downtown would lead me to meeting my best friend? Halfway through the night, Riley Wilson walked up to me and said, “You have to meet my bestie.” A girl I had seen around campus a few times during freshman year and
followed on Instagram walked out onto the patio– and my mind went completely blank. The only words that I truly remember saying are “Hi, Jennings.” She immediately greeted me back and made small talk. After that, I felt like we had known each other forever. Jennings has many God-given gifts, and one of my favorites is how personable she is. She truly takes a genuine interest in everyone she encounters. During our conversation, she mentioned that she was working in Greenville, and I told her that I was looking for jobs there post-grad. With a quick and witty response she replied, “Well, I would love to show you around downtown sometime!” I took her up on it, got her number, and asked her on a date not long after. It is so crazy to look back on that night and see how God has worked in both of us and how close we have grown together.
THE EARLY DAYS
THE SITE OF OUR FIRST DATE AND THE PROPOSAL
THE ENGAGEMENT
Tanner pulled off the surprise of a lifetime! As far as I knew, we had date night plans to eat dinner in downtown Greenville. I had been in Charleston all day for meetings, so I was honestly pretty hangry and flustered to get ready quickly. Tanner picked me up from my house and truly kept his cool the entire car ride. Nothing about his behavior seemed different. As we got out of the car for dinner, he said we were early for our reservation. The sun was setting beautifully, and he knew a spot we could watch it set over Falls Park. It was the same spot where I had first met his entire family.
Flashback to our very first date, Tanner took me to Tsunami (Yum!) for sushi (My fav!). At dinner he told me it was his dad's birthday, and his entire family was celebrating a few blocks away. I jumped at the chance to meet Tanner’s parents, siblings, cousin and close family friend. As soon as I met them, all my nervous jitters melted away and I felt right at home. If you know the Pearmans, you know that feeling is self-explanatory. We still laugh that it only makes sense my first date with Tanner came as a package deal with his whole family! That night was the first of many we spent watching the sunset from that spot. Sunsets have always been a reminder to us that no matter how fast-paced or overwhelming life can feel, it's never a waste of time to slow down, be present with one another, soak in God's stunning creation, and trust His blessings and plan for our lives.
Fast forward to the night of our engagement. As we were taking in the sunset, I wish I could say I was “soaking it in” like normal, but like I said, I was hangry! As I turned to Tanner, ready to say “let’s wrap it up and go eat,” he was getting down on one knee! I was floored! YES! Seconds later our families ran to us from a nearby hiding spot, and the elation we felt is something we’ll cherish forever. The night ended with the sweetest celebration, orchestrated by Kristy and Taylor as we soaked in the rest of the spectacular sunset and joyous reality of our engagement!
THINGS WE LOVE
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