Smith Wedding

Darron and Debbie Smith 22 May 2022

Forever And Ever

in North Carolina

Parents of The Bride Charles & MaryAnne Sykes Married May 1st, 1968 in Rapid City,S.D.

Parents of The Groom Claude & Mary Smith Married June 23rd, 1962 in Lincolnton, N.C.

The Smith Wedding at Webb’s Mill Event Center

Nash County

May 22nd, 2022

Thank you to both of our parents for being a blessing in our lives! You nurtured and protected us with great care and every time we ever needed you, you were always there. Who we have become, what we believe and our ability to look towards a wonderful future together as husband and wife comes from all that you have instilled in us. You have given us extraordinary examples of how to live, laugh, love, forgive, forget, and persevere. Throughout our lives you have given us all that you could, and then amazingly, more. Thank you so much for making this day possible. We love y’all very much!

Here are a few pages from our wedding magazine that was given out to our wedding guests. The Proposal

Our days are spent hunting and fishing, as you can see from the photos here. We live it! It is our passion! Darron wanted to go hunting on this afternoon (17 Nov. 2021) in the stand that he put up just for me. Nice day, 74° and a sunny, blue sky above. We got in the stand and I looked at the time just as I always do ...4:16 pm. I loaded my gun and got situated in my seat and then looked out the window. I saw a couple of Squirrels chasing each other around. I heard the calming sounds of the forest all around us. I looked all the way down to where the trail cam was, about 100 yards away. Then watched the Squirrels some more. Then looked back towards the trail cam again and noticed something above it. A sign maybe? I told Darron, “Look at that!” He just grinned at me with those big blue eyes. I thought someone had found our hunting spot. He asked, “what does it say?” I couldn’t tell what it read so, I looked through the scope. I read it out loud to him. It blew me away!

Synopsis of How and Why We Met

Some of you may be wondering why Bigfoot is on the Contentz page of this issue. If you were at our wedding or saw our wedding video by Jason Gupton or saw our wedding photos by Melynda Snead then you may already know why. But for those of you who do not, well, here goes....

Years ago when I was between the ages of 12 and 13 I was riding in a car being driven by my mom. I was in the passenger seat and my younger brother was in the back seat. It was at night on a rural road in Nash County. Bigfoot stepped out from a wooded area on the right side into the middle of the road. My mom slammed on the brakes! He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at us. We stared back.

There were no houses around. No other cars on the road. It was really dark. Just the headlights were illuminating Bigfoot right in front of us! After what seemed like forever, he walked to the shoulder and jumped across the ditch.

Needless to say, we were beside ourselves. We did not live but maybe two miles away, as the crow flies. We were crying and shook up when we told my dad what had happened. He calmed us down somewhat and kept telling us that it was just a bear. As an adult I have seen many bears in the wild and what we saw that night was NOT a bear! I am sure of that.

Darron, was about the same age (13-14) I was when he and a friend were in the same block of woods hunting. They were walking together carrying their hunting rifles when Bigfoot ran across in front of them maybe fifteen or so yards away.

It was a clear, sunny day. They were in shock and just stood there frozen. They both saw the same thing.

In both instances Bigfoot was on two legs, bipedal. Never on four, as a bear would be.

Now, Darron and I did not know each other. He was a year ahead of me in school and knew of me but I didn’t know of him.

It was during some time in 2015 that I stopped at a local convenience store for gas and noticed a truck parked in front of the building with a small magnet that read, “I Break for Bigfoot” I thought it was cool and waited for the owner of the truck to come out of the store to find out where they had gotten the magnet. That person just happened to be Darron. When I asked about the magnet he said I want to tell you a story but don’t laugh. He went on to tell me about seeing Bigfoot as a boy, while hunting.

I started laughing, of course, because I had seen Bigfoot, too. But Darron thought I was laughing at him. I told him my story and we were both totally taken aback by the similarities and location...the same block of woods!

I was dating someone at the time so I did not keep in contact with Darron but ran into him again in 2018. We started talking, and then dating.

So now you know the rest of the story and why Bigfoot was at our wedding. Right after we said, “I do” and the Rev. Chris May introduced us as Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Bigfoot came out from under the bridge, dancing to “Stayin’ Alive”, by the Bee Gees. He approached Darron and I and knelt down in front of us. He held up a bouquet of flowers for me...he was two minuted too late! I shook my head and clung to Darron.

Bigfoot looked disappointed but got over it quickly. He then took some fan photos, hugged some of the ladies, and dissappeared.

We know that everyone’s wedding is special but everyone who was a part of our wedding or had a hand in our wedding made ours so very special! Thank you! We love you! To our family and friends...your love, support, and encouragement, have helped make us who we are today and for that we are forever grateful!

Our gorgeous and delicious cake and cupcakes by Audrey Bailey! Darron dancing with his mom to “A Song For Mama” by Boyz II Men.The Made of Honor, Emma, with Bigfoot! My dad dancing with me to “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth. The Ring Bearer and The Flower Girl...my nephew, William and my niece, Alice.

Thanks Joe for the cool ride to my wedding!

Special Thanks

Venue ~ Webb’s Mill Event Center Officiant ~ Rev. Chris May Maid of Honor ~ Emma Church Best Man ~ Claude Smith Father of the Bride ~ Charles Sykes Ring Security ~ William Sykes Flower Girl ~ Alice Sykes Cake & Cupcakes ~ Audrey Bailey Music, DJ ~ Scott Taylor Dress Alterations ~ Beverly Anne Meiring Catering ~ Doug Saul’s BBQ & Seafood Escort To Wedding ~ Joseph Jenkins Flower Arrangements ~ Mary Smith Photographer ~ Melynda Snead Videographer ~ Jason Gupton Surprise Guest ~ Big Mike ~ Bigfoot Bigfoot Magnet that started it all ~ Clark & Gary Blackburn for placing the Bigfoot magnet on Darron’s truck in jest! If not for that our paths may never have crossed!!! The wedding party and family!