On a fabulous fall morning in October, in Hot Springs, North Carolina, Bradford and Crystal shared their wedding vows in front of a gathering of family and special friends. Having met at the University of Alabama's School of Law, these two aspiring young attorneys knew that the time had come for them to become husband and wife. The setting was the beautiful Mountain Magnolia Inn. The Inn has been featured on "This Old House" and HGTV and was the perfect place for Bradford and Crystal to share their wedding vows with each other. They make a great couple and I was so happy to be a part of their special day.
On a personal note, their wedding date of October 4 marked the eighth year anniversary of my Dad's stroke in 2000. My father, Tom Lolley, was born and raised in southern Alabama and here is the ironic part of the story concerning Bradford and Crystal. During our intital phone consulation, I found out that Crystal was born in Geneva, Alabama - a town not far from where my father grew up. As we continued to talk, we found out that Crystal's family knew some Lolley's in the Samson area. Crystal's grandfather, Charles, also grew up in the small town of Samson, so therefore I was really looking forward to asking him if he knew or remembered my father. When I walked into the Inn, I immediately met Charles and he walked up to me and said, "Who was your father, Tommy or Randall?" He knew my Dad! We talked for several minutes and I learned that he and my Dad were managers on the Samson High School football team and they were in the same Boy Scout troop! Charles even shared with me that he had eaten many meals at my Dad's boyhood home and even remembered my Grandmothers fried chicken and homemade biscuits! What a small, small world! What a blessing to meet Charles and to hear some great stories about my Dad. I continue to miss Dad in so many ways, but through Charles, I was once again reminded of Dad's legacy and the many blessings that he has given to me. Thanks, Charles!
And thanks Bradford and Crystal for asking me to be a part of your special wedding day! In some strange way, I feel that I am a part of your family! Best of all that life has to offer! Enjoy it!
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