Sydney and Fielder met under seemingly insignificant circumstances-- in line for food, 2019-- at an Auburn restaurant known as Irritable Bao. The two were positioned in the longest line during a historically busy day, struck up a conversation, and instantly connected over agriculture, science, food, and sustainable practices. What began was a beautiful friendship-- having numerous coffee dates up until Fielder ultimately moved away from the Auburn/ Opelika area in 2021, where they only saw each other once before becoming a couple afterwards. It wasn't until April of 2024 when Fielder reached back out-- congratulating Sydney on her work at a local bakery while he was living and cooking in the Bay Area. What started as a message became a phone call, what was a phone call becoming a video call. Fielder's time in the San Francisco area had an expiration date, though-- as he only intended on staying a year; however, he was certain that he wanted to show Sydney some of his favorite spots before his departure and she-- having never been to California-- jumped at the opportunity. On June 16, 2024, she flew to meet him in California. The next day, he asked her to be his partner with two heart-shaped seashells that he had carved out of one.
The remainder of the trip involved Fielder introducing Sydney to all of the places he had grown to love out in California-- from Big Sur to the museum modern art-- and she tried her best to document the rest of the way.
A month later, Fielder moved back to Alabama and the two were only separated by a few hours of travel. Sydney continued living in Opelika with Fielder in Birmingham, making frequent trips to visit each other in both spaces, and hosting some of the best dinner parties out of her 1800s apartment.
It wasn't long before Sydney felt it was necessary to move to Birmingham, too-- the couple shared a space, cats, and many wonderful meals for themselves and others in their Glen Iris neighborhood.
Sydney and Fielder knew they wanted to get married early in the relationship, but discussion of engagement began more seriously after the couple celebrated their one year anniversary. In August, a belated anniversary trip was taken to Asheville, NC-- this would later come to be known as their engagement trip.
Itinerary was as follows:
Thursday Night:
Stay at the Blind Tiger, room Proper
Dinner at The Barksdale for hot dogs and beer, followed by outdoor drinks at The Times Bar
Friday
Wake Foot Sanctuary (appt at 10:15)
Farewell Coffee and Wine
Lunch at Little Chango
Check into Airbnb
Vintage shopping:
• Posies for Lulu
• East Fork (not vintage but cute, curated homeware, local pottery)
• Atomic (furniture and booths)
• Ragtime (clothing)
French Broad Co-op & Crocodile Wine for groceries
Dinner at Posana
Saturday
Max Patch Sunrise (sunrise at 6:45; leave early enough to be there by then)
North Asheville Tailgate Market (Saturday farmer’s market)
Baby Bull for lunch
Nap and snack
Leo’s House of Thirst for dinner *** highly recommend
Fielder proposed to Sydney on Saturday morning, during golden hour, after they summited Max Patch, while they were sitting on a quilt made by Sydney's grandmother, accompanied by an estranged hunting dog-- and his glasses broke shortly afterwards. On the way up, the two heard the buzzing of the bees and crossed paths with an elk. Fielder wrote few pages in preparation.
In the time since, Fielder and Sydney have taken on the role of wedding planning with the utmost intentionality while having fun in the process-- from managing an impromptu trip to visit friends in New Orleans to pottery classes. The couple is overjoyed to celebrate their wedding this October among closest family and friends.
