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It was the summer of 2010 when Elizabeth Doyle filled out her “perfect man” search and clicked on the profile of Quinn Gallagher. Having used catholicmatch.com, it was clear that finding someone of the same faith was important to both of them. After reading over Quinn’s profile, where he wrote of his family, the importance of his faith and his dedication to his country, Elizabeth “winked” and the emails began.

It was a match made in heaven. Quinn, a captain in the United States Air Force, is a combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter pilot, while she served four years as a pediatric nursing officer.

“After being deployed, you want to have someone to come home to, especially after seeing all that you have while [overseas],” Elizabeth says. After talking on the phone and using Skype and email, Quinn couldn’t take it anymore and told Elizabeth he was flying in that weekend to see her. Luckily, she had that weekend free.

“You have these hopes and dreams for how you want something to go, and you don’t want to be disappointed if it doesn’t turn out like you planned,” she says. Quinn flew from his base in Las Vegas, Nev., to where Elizabeth was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and it was there that they met for the first time.

In the airport, waiting at the bottom of the escalator, Elizabeth could only see the shoes of those descending at first. After all the suspense, upon seeing Quinn for the first time, Elizabeth knew he was “the one.” It was love at first sight, she says.

Home from his four-month deployment, Quinn, his sister and brother-in-law and Elizabeth arrived at Quinn’s home after their vacation to the Zion National Park. Quinn took the opportunity to ask Elizabeth to join him on a walk. Guiding their walk to a nearby lake, Quinn knelt and asked Elizabeth to be his wife. With a lit cake welcoming them home, Elizabeth’s birthday and engagement celebration began.

With his family in Fort Mill, S.C., they chose a quiet barn setting as their venue. As news of their engagement spread, Elizabeth and Quinn’s family and friends began to offer skills and personal contacts to help decorate, cater and plan their wedding. For her bouquet, Elizabeth used her mother and mother-in-law’s large assortment of brooches that they had collected from their mothers and grandmothers. With this bouquet, Elizabeth carried the memory of their grandparents with her as she walked down the aisle.

Adam Coker from Authentic Exposure documented the moment as Quinn watched Elizabeth walk down the aisle. They recited their vows and exchanged rings from Diamonds Direct, and Elizabeth says that was her favorite moment. “Looking into your husband’s eyes and meaning every word with all of your heart is truly beautiful,” she says.

Dancing to “Heaven” by Brian Adams, Elizabeth and Quinn enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife. Yet with Quinn’s crazy cousins and Elizabeth’s own lively group of friends at their wedding, the props from the photo booth became a staple on the dance floor. “As soon as the sun went down, the mustaches came out,” she says.

Having housed many of Quinn’s family gatherings, the barn that held their reception is not only special to Quinn, but now will be a part of Elizabeth’s lifelong memories as well.

Featured vendors

Photography
Authentic Exposure Visual Journalism
704-439-FOTO
http://authenticexposure.com

Rings
Diamonds Direct SouthPark
704-532-9041
www.diamonds-direct.com

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