We got married!

On December 21, 2020, at approximately 2:00pm--date as planned, location improvised!--we officially tied the knot on the grounds of the capitol building here in Austin, Texas.

The weather was fine and the day began with flowers, donuts, tacos, and FaceTimes. Judge Jan Breland was kind enough to meet us at the capitol building to officiate, and just as she pronounced the marriage the Texas state Christmas tree lit up and Gene Autry sang "Merry Texas Christmas You All," just for us. We were very happy, thinking of each other and of all of you. After the ceremony we walked our favorite trail around Town Lake, past the dog park where this wild notion of marriage began. We stopped at Uncle Nicky's for dinner, with Italian wedding cookies and tiny pies for dessert.

Your notes of wisdom have been so much fun to read, and we are so grateful for your love and support at this time in our lives. Thank you!

With love,

-Michael + Samantha

We built
Jennifer's Way!

The Jennifer Flynn Memorial Path could not be more beautiful! Thank you for your support: for donations, for spreading the word, and for visiting the gardens. We are so happy to share that future donations to Franklinton Farms can be earmarked for the "Jennifer Flynn Accessibility Fund," to support accessibility projects when possible.

We owe special gratitude to Rebecca and Teddy Brown who direct Franklinton Farms and made this project come to life. Craig Arledge and his team at Arledge Construction and Ben Bekett of Beckett Forge shared their expert craftsmanship to build the path, and we could not be more impressed. The Center for Disability Empowerment offered consulting services to make the path accessible, and generous donations from the The Covenant Presbyterian Women and the The Ingram-Whitecastle Foundation made this project possible. We also thank the Columbus City Council for helping to organize the project.

It feels like it was meant to be that the concrete was poured one year to the day after Jennifer's funeral. Today, Jennifer's Way makes the Franklinton Farms Learning Garden accessible to everyone who chooses to visit. There is a community shelter, a path to pick blackberries, and even a sit-down garden--one of the projects that Jenny championed during her time as an Americorps Vista at the Farms. Aunt Jenny would have loved it. Being able to walk the path, together with family again, has made us so grateful that we chose to begin our marriage this way.