We love stories! Every couple has their own & one of our favorite parts about being wedding photographers is meeting with newly engaged couples & hearing theirs. The joy of it. The freshness of it. The excitement of it. We can’t get enough! And at the end of it, our couples always ask, “What about you?” So, we decided to share our story too. From our college campus to building our dream home, here’s our story from “I noticed you” to “I do.”
Part 9: To Whom It may Concern
As November grew colder Katie & Alec continued going on dates more days out of a week than not. Every minute they could spend together they did. From fancy dates to simple lunches on UAB’s campus they couldn’t get enough it seemed and things seemed to be going smoothly. That was until December 11th came. Alec made the decision that he wasn’t quite as committed as Katie. In an honest attempt to spare her feelings he decided to end things. They needed to breakup.
She had no clue it was coming, and he knew it wouldn’t be a fun situation. It had only been a little over a month of dating and they weren’t even technically “boyfriend” & “girlfriend” yet. That meant it wasn’t really a break up, he hoped. It was just ceasing dating. He decided to make it quick and asked her for a walk around the campus green where they had met a few short months before. Walking around the green was something they did regularly so it provided a level of comfort & familiarity needed for this particular night. The cold night air seemed harsher than normal and the lights from downtown Birmingham illuminated the city against the dark skyline.
Katie could sense that something was happening but she prayed from deep within her heart that it wouldn’t be a breakup. She knew there was still a disconnect between where she was and where Alec was emotionally. Pretending it didn’t exist wouldn’t help but she persisted day after day to do so hoping it would shift into alignment. As they walked the green she felt her heart drop when he started the “it’s not you, it’s me speech.” Yes, it was true it was him & not her but the cliche of it all stung deeply. She could barely listen to him as she struggled to maintain composure. “No crying, not in front of him. Keep it together girl. Just make it through this and don’t break down…” she thought.
Alec tried his best to let her know how great she was and that he knew he just wasn’t ready yet for something so serious. He needed time & freedom. She needed affection & stability he couldn’t provide. Just like that it was done and they were back outside Katie’s dorm ready to part ways. All she could manage to mutter was, “can I have one last hug?” Whether you call it wisdom or stubbornness Alec declined and said he didn’t want to make things worse.
How could it get worse though? Breakups are hard and she didn’t know how she would manage since they were in the same friend group & their everyday tasks overlapped. Plus, she had liked him for months now and just like this it was over? Somehow she would just have to manage…
