The Ledger

By Becky Holland

An intimate midday wedding tucked behind the courthouse at the Cotton Museum pavilion beside the Tessie W. Norris/Cochran-Bleckley Library caught the attention of more than a few people Wednesday in downtown Cochran.

People noticed the bride and groom exchanging vows in the middle of an ordinary workday while traffic moved through town and library visitors came and went. Curious about the couple and touched by the quiet moment, The Ledger set out to find them.

A story asking for help identifying the newlyweds was read by more than 1,500 people on The Ledger website and shared multiple times on social media. Three people even reported seeing the bride earlier in the day at CVS as wedding preparations were apparently underway.

Later that evening, a post from the bride in a local community Facebook group helped lead to names — and within 20 minutes of reaching out, The Ledger received a phone call from the couple themselves.

Their names are Elijah and Bailey Manuel.

Elijah, 27, is active military stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Bailey, 20, is an entrepreneur who lives in Cochran.

Like many modern love stories, theirs started online.

“After years of not finding love and feeling like there was no hope, we both got on a dating app,” Elijah said.

“We saw each other and matched,” he added.

Bailey laughed as she remembered her reaction.

“I didn’t think he would match with me,” she said.

Elijah admitted he initially had doubts too.

“I thought maybe this was a scam,” he said.

But they kept talking.

Elijah said it was love at first sight. Bailey said she immediately felt drawn to him as well.

Before long, Elijah drove five and a half hours to meet her in person.

“It was like we had known each other for years,” he said. “We both knew we wanted a traditional relationship — none of this new age stuff.”

The two spent time talking, traveling, and getting to know one another quickly and deeply.

“The night before I had to leave was hard,” Elijah said. “We both were crying and sad. I knew I loved her.”

Not long after, conversations about marriage became serious.

“We were both like, ‘Why not?’” Elijah said.

The couple picked out rings, found a pastor, and decided on the downtown pavilion for the ceremony.

“The pavilion was the perfect place,” Elijah said.

“It was a dream,” Bailey added.

Just one month after first meeting, the two were married.

For now, the newlyweds will spend a little time apart while Elijah prepares housing arrangements in North Carolina, but neither seems worried about the distance.

“I’ll fly to see him,” Bailey said.

“And I’ll fly to see her or drive,” Elijah added.

Both said their families have been supportive of the relationship. Elijah said Bailey’s father became teary eyed during the ceremony, and the couple wrote their own vows for the wedding.

“To think,” Elijah said, “I was going to give up, and then here she was.”

Bailey said she had felt the same way before meeting him.

The couple hopes their story encourages others not to lose hope when it comes to love.

“If you are struggling looking for love, don’t give up,” Elijah said. “Keep trying.”

“And keep your problems private,” Bailey added with a smile, “but love loudly.”