Page 18 - Winter 2021

Audrey and Gary exchange vows. The Mitchells married in May with a small outdoor wedding at the UGA State Botanical Garden.
donned masks and had their temp- eratures taken.
Gary proposed in November 2018 while visiting Audrey’s family in Virginia. He had purchased the ring three months earlier and kept it hidden while he was waiting for the perfect time. The day he proposed was not just her birthday but
also Thanksgiving. Gary had an opening to talk to Audrey’s father when the family went to a popular brewery for dinner.
“Her mom was giving me these eyes that essentially said, ‘Are you going to do something?’” Gary recalled.
“When everyone stood up, I took Audrey’s dad aside and told him I was
going to propose...he gave me some good advice then... He said to put her first, to always have her in consideration of any decision and make marriage a team effort.”
As the group was beginning to exit the restaurant, Gary took his chance and got down on one knee.
PAGE 16 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021