Happy Valentine’s Day! <3 Today, we're making this an extra special holiday for one very lucky couple! More than 8,000 people voted in our wedding photography giveaway, narrowing the contest down to 5 finalists whose love stories were read by a panel of judges. The panel had the difficult task of choosing one couple to receive a wedding photography package from Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography! Congratulations to our winning couple, Leigh Anne & Patrick, who are planning a November wedding in the charming city of St. Augustine! We're looking forward to being part of their wedding day! To celebrate this day of LOVE, we're excited to share the love story of Leigh Anne & Patrick!

How we met:
Patrick’s older sister, Natalie, and I had met the year before through our parents who attend the same church and instantly became best friends. Unknown to Patrick or me, Natalie began planning to set the two of us up because she saw a great couple in the making. In August 2009 she moved to Raleigh NC; then on Christmas Eve, Natalie flew back to Florida for the vacation. She schemed to have Patrick and his older brother Nathan pick me up and drive into Orlando to get her from the airport. The four of us spent the day in Orlando shopping and getting to know each other. The day after Christmas, both of our families got together at Andretti Thrill Park to spend time racing on the go-carts and playing mini-golf. Afterwards, I went back to their house to hang out for a while. That night, Patrick and I stayed up until four in the morning talking and getting to know each other. I ended up driving to Raleigh to spend New Year’s Eve with them. Patrick and I spent the next two days visiting local sites in Raleigh and learning more about one another. After this Patrick still lived in Indianapolis and I in Cocoa Beach so we kept in touch on a daily basis through texting, phone calls, and video chat. The weekend of February 14, Patrick’s job brought him through Raleigh where he had a few days off to be with family. I agreed to fly up to Raleigh for the weekend and that’s when Patrick asked me to be his Valentine with a cheesy homemade Valentine’s card and the rest was history!

The proposal:
On Christmas Eve 2010 Patrick asked me to breakfast to celebrate the one-year mark of the day we met before I headed over to my parent’s house for the Holiday (or so I thought!). After eating at one of our favorite cafes, Simply Delicious located on Cocoa Beach, Patrick suggested we head over for a quick walk on the beach because it was a beautiful sunny day. I absolutely love the beach so I agreed. After crossing the walkway, we found a mostly vacant beach and began down to the ocean. We only made it a short distance before Patrick couldn’t wait any longer and stopped me. He began to tell me how much he cared for me and I agreed even saying how I couldn’t believe that it was only a year ago that we had met. Patrick decided to take that and run – continuing by saying “Who would have thought that exactly a year ago today I would be doing this.” At that moment Patrick pulled out the ring and got down on one knee to ask for me to marry him!

About us:
Right now Patrick lives in Raleigh, NC and I still live in Cocoa Beach. I went to UCF and majored in mechanical engineering and am currently working at Kennedy Space Center. As the space program winds down I will be getting laid off in April – however not disappointed at all because it finally gives me the chance to move to North Carolina to be near him! Over the past year we have gotten to see each other an average of 5 days a month. Even with only being able to spend that little time together in person we know without a doubt that we are meant to be. Patrick traveled for 2 years after college for his previous job and was able to travel to 48 states. Afterwards he moved to Raleigh to find a job in the finance industry. He attended Florida Southern and majored in Economics and Finance. We both love to read, love sports (playing them and watching), and love to cook (especially our homemade sushi). After I move to NC in April we are most looking forward to getting to know each other on a day to day basis and wallowing in the bliss of finally being able to see each other whenever we want!

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Such a sweet story! We hope that it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy! Did anyone else applaud when they read how Patrick asked Leigh Anne to marry him? Kudos Patrick!!!

Thanks again to our panel for choosing the winner of our first ever wedding photography giveaway:

Heidi from Truly Engaging Wedding Blog
Faythe from A Glamour Bride
Katrina from Made of Honor Weddings
Kayleigh from Solutions Bridal Designer House
Michelle (one of our amazing brides from 2010)

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who participated in the contest! You are all amazing couples and even the panel agreed that it was difficult to choose a winner! We wish everyone the best in planning your special day!