Jamie and Michael have an entire October weekend of activities for their guests at the Cliffs Communities.  It is going to be an amazing weekend for all, and I am so happy for this incredible couple.  Their ceremony will take place at the Cliffs Glassy Chapel, with a reception following at the Cliffs Valley Clubhouse.  Jamie and Michael met each other in September 2007, started dating in March 2008, and got engaged on New Years Eve of 2008!  Please read more below about them below…
How did you meet each other?
We met through an outdoors community group at our church (National Community Church) in Washington, DC. Jamie offered to cook dinner for the group the following week and Michael offered to drive her to Eastern Market to pick up potatoes and tomatoes.
When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We agreed to take a half day on New Years Eve and spend the afternoon hiking at Shenandoah National Park. A frigid day, we cut the hike short and ended up in the Jeep at one of our favorite spots – Pass Mountain Overlook – as the sun was setting. He asked me what would make the moment even better, and I instinctively replied, “Peanut M&Ms,” our favorite snack. He whipped out a bag, poured a few into my hand, and out popped the most gorgeous diamond ring I had ever seen. We rushed off the ridge to call our parents, then Michael told me we had dinner reservations and made me change back into my work clothes (in a Luray Hardee’s bathroom). When we showed up at Thorton River Grille, six of our best friends were waiting for us. I got to share the exciting news and retell the whole story. After dinner, I assumed we were headed back to DC, but the caravan headed back into the mountains, where we pulled up to a quaint mountain cabin, where the eight of us got to ring in the new year together. We awoke to a lovely brunch – extending the celebration into 2009!
What do you two do for a living?
Michael is the Legislative Director to Congressman Harold Rogers (KY) and Jamie works in communication for the Department of Homeland Security.
What are some of the activities that you like to do as a couple?
On September 13, we completed an Olympic distance triathlon together, so of recent, biking, swimming, and running has been high on the list. The triathlon gave us a great shared goal and time together training. We’ve also got a small fortune invested in backpacking gear and we put it to good use for a week in Tasmania and a 3-day backpacking trip with friends along the Appalachian Trail in May.
Probably our favorite activity together is strategizing ways to bless our neighbors and friends. We love hosting friends over for dinner, praying for our neighbors in need, and finding ways to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in need in our city. Last September, we participated in Convoy of Hope DC and that catalyzed our commitment to serving our neighborhood.

Why did you choose the Cliffs as your wedding location?
When Jamie first laid eyes on The Chapel at Glassy in 2007, she knew it’s where she wanted to be married… all she had to figure out was who, exactly, she was going to marry and how, exactly, she was going to tell her parents that she wasn’t getting married in her hometown of Orlando. Fortunately Michael entered the picture a few months later, and the folks loved the idea of a destination wedding in the Carolina hills.
When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
We could not be more thrilled to have 150 of our dearest friends and family members traveling from the District, 11 states and Greece for the three-day celebration. We look forward to celebration God’s goodness and faithfulness!
What do you love about each other?
Jamie: What I love about Michael is… the way he challenges me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received in Christ Jesus.
Michael: What I love about Jamie is…she encourages the crazy dreams God gives me and stands ready to execute them, no matter what.
Anything else you would want people to know?
The honeymoon destination is classified. It’s on a need to know basis and the groom has decided the bride doesn’t need to know.
Oh yeah, Michael has organized a charity 5K on October 11 (the day of the wedding no less) to benefit AIDS Hospice Care in South Africa. So if you’re in Cleveland, SC, come for the run at Pleasant Ridge Park at 8AM!