Wedding Date
July 21, 2013
Our Love Story
We met at Opera in the Ozarks in Eureka Springs, AR during summer 2012. It was Amy's second summer at the program, and we were both cast as the adorable couple named Papageno and Papagena in The Magic Flute (Mozart). Our first meeting was nothing of consequence, however, we were friendly throughout the first couple of weeks of the summer. Then one day, Amy was especially down in the dumps and needed a shoulder to lean on...thank goodness she chose DJ's! (For those who don't know, he has particularly great shoulders). They hung out the whole day, and she suggested they go up on the roof of the outdoor theater (a common activity at dear old OIO) to stargaze. After a long heart-to-heart, DJ suddenly realized he wanted to kiss her...and the rest was history. We officially began dating two days later, and we had both told each other we loved each other within a week. Some might say our relationship story is somewhat unconventional in its speed and order of events, but we have both had such a sense of peace and assuredness along the way that we were given to each other by God. What a blessing!
The Proposal
DJ had planned to propose over Christmas Break so that we would have the chance to begin wedding planning while we were in the same state for a whole two weeks. (Oh, the joys of long-distance relationships!) When DJ had decided to rededicate his life to Christ through baptism, he realized that no time would be more perfect to propose than right afterward! So when we were visiting Amy's grandparents in Branson, her Papa helped DJ find the perfect spot for the proposal. Immediately after he dried off at the First Baptist Church, DJ and her Papa were DETERMINED to take a picture to commemorate this special moment. Amy found this odd, but she decided to go with the flow. Next thing she knew, we were all driving to the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks to take a picture with the gorgeous Christmas decorations. As we were marveling at the beauty of their large fireplace, Amy sat down to see DJ on bended knee. He uttered some of the most precious words she had ever heard, and with the official question popped, Amy couldn't help but utter "yes!". It was truly one of the most magical moments of their lives; so magical, in fact, that the small crowd that had gathered around them went completely unnoticed until afterward! Having Amy's Grammy and Papa (our officiant) there to take pictures of this special moment only made the whole experience even more precious to the happy couple!
Wedding Location
Magnolia Gardens, Springdale, AR
Bride's Hometown or City of Residence
Springdale, AR
Groom's Hometown or City of Residence
Manhattan, KS
Bride's Parents and City of Residence
Larry and Donna Matlock, Springdale, AR
Bride's Grandparents and City of Residence
Bill and Lillian Matlock, Branson, MO
Bride's Employment and Education
Master of Music in Vocal Performance, Baylor University, 2013 Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Baylor University, 2011
Groom's Parents and City of Residence
Jeff and Laurie Davis, Manhattan, KS
Groom's Grandparents and City of Residence
Jim and Freda Sanborn, Wichita, KS
Groom's Employment and Education
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Kansas State University, 2013 Pursuing Master of Business Administration at John Brown University
Engagement Info December 16, 2012 Branson, MO Wedding Info July 21, 2013 Magnolia Gardens Springdale/AR About Amy Springdale, AR Hometown Private Voice Instructor Occupation About Donald Manhattan, KS Hometown Wal-Mart Associate Occupation Amy's Parents Larry and Donna Matlock Donald's Parents Jeff and Laurie Davis Jeweler Zales The Ring