Nashville Marriage Studio

I met Wil and Mackenzie at one of my workshops last year and they are such a sweet couple. She recently sent me a blog link that featured their wedding and I begged them to be in the spotlight and they agreed. After reading their answers I couldn’t be more glad that they did.

Wil and Mackenzie have been together for 3 years and they have quite an interesting back story that I’m going to have Mackenzie share. It’s kinda trippy honestly. And by trippy I mean they were clearly meant to be!

A mutual friend introduced us in 2009. She and Wil were coworkers at a local restaurant.  Wil had just moved to Nashville to be closer to his dad and sisters.  My parents had lived in the same house for 33 years. After a couple weeks of dating as we drove to his own apartment, I pointed in the general direction of my childhood home, “My parents live up that way on Fate Street.” His response was “Really, that’s weird. My family lives over on Fate Street.”

As it turns out, they live DIRECTLY across the street from my parents and have for several years. I didn’t know them then – but now that Fate has accomplished its goal of bringing us together, let me just tell you that we do not have the ‘which family for the holidays’ argument a lot of couples have since they are just across the street from each other.   I think FATE made things pretty clear! 

When did you know this person was The One?
Wil: The night we met the world stopped and I saw our future together. It sounds cliché and super cheesy, but I really knew she was the one for me right away. She took a little bit more convincing
Mackenzie: When I realized that at the end of the day, good or bad, he was who I wanted to tell about it. And when I realized that he wasn’t going away

What is the most brag-worthy quality in your spouse?
Wil: So far she’s managed to keep me from setting myself on fire. Many have tried and failed. I joke, because I don’t know where to begin; honestly she’s the most genuinely good-hearted person I’ve ever known.  she’s such a good person that she’s always looking for ways to be even better, and I love that about her.
Mackenzie: He is very much my hero. I admire how when he really sets his mind to something, he can accomplish anything. And everything he does is done with compassion for others. I know I can count on him no matter what.

What is your proudest accomplishment as a team?
Wil: Probably getting out of debt. All the debt was mine but it was something that we knew we wanted taken care of by the time we were married, so we put our heads together, set a goal, and made it happen.
Marie’s Note: Debt isn’t good, obvs, but I love hearing couples that focus on it as A TEAM and how they’re stronger for it. 

What is the biggest hurdle you’ve overcome as a team?
Trusting each other, having faith in the strength of our love, and just growing up in general. Both of us have had bad experiences in previous relationships so our expectations had to change for us to continue growing together. Being in a good position to start a family has always been really important to us and having each other to lean on has really given us a leg up on making positive life changes on an individual basis as well.

What was the best year of your relationship? Why?
This year! It gets even better every day!

What was the hardest year of your relationship? Why?
Wil: Probably our first year together. A lot of crazy stuff happened that year in both of our personal lives. Mackenzie lost her grandfather, who was an amazing and much loved man in her life, and while that was really difficult, it brought us together in a lot of ways. And I had a lot of growing up to do. There were hurdles between us and a stable life together. But it proved to be sort of a refining fire for our relationship and I think were a lot stronger as a couple because of it.
Mackenzie: Any obstacle we had only brought us closer. I wanted stability and someone who made me laugh. He gave me laughter and someone I knew I could count on outside of my parents. And I like to think I helped him grow up a little – but I wouldn’t dare want him to lose that childish enthusiasm that made me fall in love with him.
Marie’s Note: So many couples run away from “refining fires” and I think that’s sad. Wil and Mackenzie are a great example of what can be born if you tough it out.

What is one thing a couple can start doing today to change their relationship?
Practicing good communication – it is really the most important thing in any relationship. Talk to each other about any feeling, good or bad, and be understanding. It’s important to keep things in perspective. Marie’s pre-marital counseling class teaches appropriate ways to fight and keep things in check.  And don’t forget to laugh – sometimes things get too serious and it changes the entire mood of a moment if you laugh.
Marie’s Note: Aw, so happy to get a shout out If you’re interested, check out future workshops here!

What tips/advice do you have for couples going through a hard time (either with each other or just life in general)?
There is no shame in seeking help – whether it’s from a friend, lover or professional. Sometimes we get thoughts in our heads that take on lives of their own and another person can offer a more objective view. Talking about things and keeping them in perspective can really help you work through obstacles.

Thank you guys so much for playing along and your great answers!

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