THE STRONGEST BOND – Virginia and Travis
Photography by Amy Riley Wobser
In a beautiful ceremony nuanced by classic black and white color combinations and vintage-inspired silver accents, Travis Tompson and Virginia (Ginny) Morrow stood before God to testify to their love.
Travis remembers every second. “My heart was full,” he smiles. “In the moment Ginny walked down the aisle, I realized I was ready to exchange vows with the love of my life. With my best friends at my side and so many friends and family there to witness, I felt like the luckiest man to ever walk the earth.”
Ginny treasures every detail as well. “The moment I placed the ring on Travis’ finger was unforgettable. Such an indescribable, strong emotion of pure love washed over me. I felt the significance of the moment––we were making a lasting and immeasurably powerful commitment.” In a classic tale, the Panama City natives met in school. They attended Bay High School. A mutual friend introduced them during a graduation ceremony for their older siblings. The year was 2006 and they developed a strong friendship and “dated casually… nothing too serious at the time.” “I always felt a strong chemistry,” Ginny admits.
They stayed close friends through the years, until suddenly everything changed. “In June of 2015, after a night out with our friends, Travis drove me home and finally kissed me. When we looked at each other, we said; ‘Why haven’t we done this all along?’” Ginny had already made plans to move to Atlanta for work in the fall. They soon faced the realities of having a long-distance relationship. “Travis and I knew we had something special and we wanted to make it work.” After spending a year driving back and forth every two weeks, Travis surprised Ginny with the perfect romantic proposal. “During my first year in Atlanta, Travis and I went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Christmas “Holiday Lights,” Ginny remembers. “I loved it so much, when Christmas came around the following year, we went again. Little did I know, Travis had a bigger plan up his sleeve.”
Travis had meticulously orchestrated a surprise proposal. He knew there would be a beautiful Christmas Tree on display. It was entirely made from poinsettia plants and a dedicated Botanical Gardens staff member would be there to take pictures of visitors. “After we toured the gardens, he brought me to the tree and suggested we take a picture,” Ginny grins. “I resisted because we had taken a picture in the same spot the year before and I told him we didn’t need another one.” But Travis insisted. He handed the camera off and convinced Ginny to pose for the picture. She had no idea what was about to happen. “I briefly turned around and looked the other way. Suddenly someone behind me said, ‘Oh my God, he’s proposing.’ There was a frozen moment. I thought, ‘what, where, who?’ Then I turned around and saw Travis on one knee, asking me to marry him!”
It was a perfect surprise. When they talk about each other it becomes clear they share a special connection as they were friends for close to 10 years. “To initiate a relationship with the foundation of such a strong friendship gave us a unique starting point to get to know and care for each other in a whole new way. There is such a beautiful level of trust and comfort that comes from the bond of marriage. This commitment allows for the most pure, deep, mutual love and respect.”
They know each other on a level many newlyweds will not experience until years later. Ginny values so many things about Travis and says he is patient, even-keeled, and the most loyal friend. “He carefully contemplates his decisions and thoughtfully considers the eff on others in doing so. He also has this insatiable thirst for knowledge and sees the world from a new perspective, which I love!”
When Travis describes Ginny, the bond becomes even clearer, “She is so natural. There is absolutely nothing contrived about her. Being loving and thoughtful is just who she is. I would be blind to many aspects of human emotion without her.
When they are asked what they would tell other young couples, they advise, “Be patient with each other. A bible verse we chose for our wedding ceremony and that we live by is Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; bearing with one another in love.”
And, as they have had the most beautiful wedding, they share with other couples that there is a way to ensure that the ceremony will be wonderful and free of worries. “It is important to keep your eyes and heart focused on the deep commitment you are making to one another; don’t get too lost in the small details of the wedding day which are fleeting.” Of course, they feel special gratitude towards their mutual friend, Mac Bonham, who first introduced them in high school–he was the Best Man at their wedding. But they know that the foundation of their love is based on their loving families. With confidence, they recognize, “We would like to thank each of our parents for instilling in us a Christian foundation and providing us with the example of the love, work, and dedication required to sustain a strong and lasting marriage.”
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