Knightly News

After four years of high school, four years of college, a pandemic and countless milestones, one Episcopal Cupid Couple will celebrate their four month wedding anniversary soon. Class of 2016 sweethearts Liz Binning and Matthew Saurage have been through a lot together, and the two feel it only strengthens their bond.

When ninth grade Liz Binning transitioned to Episcopal from St. Luke’s she soon befriended classmate Matthew Saurage who had transitioned to Episcopal from St. James. “We were best friends before anything else,” says Matthew. That friendship grew, and just before sophomore year, the two began dating. “We couldn’t even drive,” says Liz with a laugh. “It’s crazy how much we grew through that time.” Liz remembers the day they finally had a license and a parking spot on the Episcopal campus as a big moment.

Looking back, the two appreciate the uniqueness of their experience as high school sweethearts. Growing up together allowed them to share the tremendous changes of high school and provided them perspective on their spouse that couples who meet later in life may not have.

The Secret to Lasting Love

Even as they were chosen as the 2016 Cutest Couple and as they walked together on the Homecoming Court, Liz and Matthew remained independent. That sense of individual identity is a point of pride for them and something they feel bolsters their relationship. Matthew says classmates found the duo easy to be with together and apart. In high school, they explored different interests, with Liz playing soccer for the Knights and Matthew performing in Les Misérables. At the time, becoming husband and wife was not on their minds. “We didn’t think about it,” says Liz. “There are so many hurdles and so many things that go on that it seems inconceivable.”

The Episcopal experience also played a big role in Matthew and Liz’s lasting love. Matthew says at Episcopal they were surrounded by great people, and the school provided a growth environment where they developed as both individuals and as a couple. Liz says the school was a forgiving community where you can fail and change paths. “The teachers guide you,” she says. “Without Episcopal, we’re missing an important part in our lives,” says Matthew.

After sharing everything from prom to graduation, Matthew and Liz were fortunate enough to select the same college, Birmingham-Southern. Matthew earned a degree in physics while Liz completed a degree in biology. The small college feeling was similar to the Episcopal vibe they were accustomed to, and their relationship continued to flourish. Maintaining their independence and developing together in a close-knit community helped Liz and Matthew continue on the road to lasting love.

Lessons from the Unexpected

As Liz and Matthew approached the final, exciting semester at BSC, the path seemed clear. The two planned to enjoy their remaining time on campus, start their careers and get married. However, the pandemic unexpectedly changed all of that. Rather than spending the semester winding down their college experiences, the two recall receiving a communication from the school saying that all students had 72 hours to leave. Liz remembers shoving all of their belongings in the car they shared and heading for Baton Rouge. Being from the same hometown proved to be a blessing as the sudden shift didn’t separate them the way it did so many of their friends. Even during such upheaval, the high school sweethearts held steady. “We’re a constant in a world that’s changing,” says Liz looking back on the past few years.

A Gathering Years in the Making

October 16, 2021, is a day Liz and Matthew will never forget. Surrounded by numerous Episcopal friends, the two were married by Episcopal Chaplain Father Skully Knight, six years after graduating together in the Episcopal Chapel. Liz always knew she wanted Father Skully to perform her wedding. “The date revolved around when he could come to Birmingham,” she says of how important he was to their special day. She remembers Father Skully’s calming presence that day, the perfect weather and her own surprisingly relaxed state of mind.

Liz and Matthew’s wedding holds a special place in Father Skully’s memory as well. With a smile, he recalls the occasion. “What was unique about this wedding was that it was the first time I married two former students who had met here, and I knew them both,” he says. Father Skully remembers the day as a celebration of the couple’s growth together and as individuals. During the ceremony, he compared it to the love of Philemon and Baucis in Greek mythology. According to the story, the two accepted gods disguised as peasants when no one else would. To honor them for their hospitality, the gods transformed them into intertwining but different trees upon their death so that they could remain together always.

With Father Skully, friends and family gathered in Birmingham, the wedding had a distinctive Episcopal feel. “It turned out to be a high school reunion,” says Matthew. “It was a great excuse to all get back together.” Guests traveled from near and far to celebrate the couple that many had predicted would one day be bride and groom. Liz and Matthew were also joined by their friends from Birmingham-Southern, many of whom they hadn’t seen in person since the day they packed the car to leave. After so much uncertainty, the wedding was a time to celebrate togetherness. It was also an occasion to recognize the love of two individuals who grew together through unexpected challenges and the communities and people who supported them.

While Liz and Matthew may still be considered newlyweds, the two have experienced a lot together. From depending on their parents to drive them to dates to planning a future as husband and wife, this Cupid Couple has truly grown up together. Looking back, they wouldn’t want their story to turn out any other way. “The entire way there’s been no doubt that we wanted to be there for each other,” says Matthew. “I’ve never regretted it and never doubted it.”

Join us in wishing Liz and Matthew a Happy Valentine's Day! Happy Valentine's Day to all of the Episcopal Cupid Couples.

Cupid Couple Listing

As of 2.9.22

Ryan Abbott '94 and Colleen Huston Abbott '95

John Anderson '78 and Rebecca Wray Anderson '79

Blaine Ayres '91 and Mary Ann Hinz Ayres '93

Ryan Blackledge '97 and Meghan Scobee Blackledge '01

Barret Blondeau '98 and Julie Clark Blondeau '95

Andrew Booth '87 and Jan LaNasa Booth '87

Carson Bourgeois '08 and Hanley Poché Bourgeois '11

David Cash '00 and Emily Bowsher '00

David Brantley '72 and Jan Jones Brantley '72

David Brauer '87 and Kari Sterling Brauer '87

John Brown '81 and Jennifer Plauché Brown '83

Bennett Bruns '17 and Caroline Bradford Bruns '15

William Burke IV '04 and Emma Frost Burke '04

Rennie Carter '89 and deSha Caldwell Carter '95

Richard Chauvin, Jr. '72 and Cindy Palmer Chauvin '79

James Cox '74 and Sue Kleinpeter Cox '74

David Dansky, Jr. '89 and Rachel Simoneaux Dansky '89

Tom D'Armond '85 and Teri Hackett D'Armond '85

Richard Dunham II '78 and Shannon Lavender Dunham '80

Nicholas Easterly'07 and Sabrina Wood-Easterly '07

Timothy Ehrlich '84 and Suzanne Wade Ehrlich '86

David Ellison III '77 and Ann Cocke Ellison '80

Steven Feigley '74 and Karen Holden Feigley '72

Gregg Fell, Jr. '01 and Fran Gremillion Fell '01

Madison Field '06 and Helen Butts Field '09

Bobby Finley '81 and Elizabeth Bankston Finley '83

Patrick Frischhertz '02 and Sarah Gay Frischhertz '02

Joey Gammill '74 and Margaret Bankston Gammill '74

Daymon Gardner '00 and Erin Maxwell Gardner '00

Jon Gardner '96 and Jessica Ross Gardner '01

Mark Garon '93 and Barbara Irwin Garon '95

Paul Garrett '89 and Rachel Spiller Garrett '89

Jack Graham III '85 and Barbin Caldwell Graham '85

Todd Graves '90 and Gwen Drain Graves '88

Ben Gremillion '07 and Morgan Melker Gremillion '08

Ryan Hackney '93 and Casey Dué Hackney '92

John Haynes '91 and Joanna Jackson Haynes '91

David Heroman '96 and Melissa Taranto Heroman '99

Darien Hill '98 and Brittany Hastings Hill '99

John Hill III '84 and Mollie Poché Hill '84

Mark Hinojosa '96 and Brianne Lanoux Hinojosa '97

G. Michael Hollingsworth '78 and Gaye Hollingsworth '78

Jeff Hurst '97 and Meghan Boyce Hurst '99

John Jackson III '77 and Judie Snider Jackson '77

Danny Jackson '75 and Roberta Mayer Jackson '75

Craig Kinchen '11 and Danielle Maddox Kinchen '11

Marshall LaMoyne '08 and Lauren Knecht La Moyne '08

Eric Krutz '95 and Hope Chandler Krutz '95

Trey Kubricht III '88 and Amy Bradford Kubricht '88

Tommy Lambert '77 and Stephanie Hill Lambert '86

Ransome Little '09 and Joanna Plattsmier Little '09

Steele McAndrew '75 and Terri Atkinson McAndrew '75

Sean Montgomery '88 and Angela Mills Montgomery '88

Bill Mote, Jr. '87 and Misty Fedric Mote '87

Bryan O'Leary '99 and Cara Hartman O'Leary '99

Drew Pace '04 and Meredith Patrick Pace '04

Graham Penniman III '79 and Maureen Meyers Penniman '79

Michael Rabalais '97 and Amy Rabalais '97

Garner Reesby '09 and Ryann Roussel Reesby '09

Michael Rhodes '87 and Kellen Gallagher Rhodes '87

Gary Richards '74 and Nessie Smith Richards '74

Nick Russell '12 and McCraney Brown Russell '13

John Sample '83 and Alison Cohn Sample '85

Matthew Saurage '16 and Elizabeth Binning Saurage '16

Charlie Schudmak '95 and Daisy Obier Schudmak '96

Matt Shoriak '97 and Katie Culotta Shoriak '97

Wyn Singer III '92 and Mary Johnson Singer '93

Field Smith '00 and Jennifer Hayden Smith '00

Holden Spaht, Jr. '92 and Claire Morris Spaht '90

Benjamin Stage '08 and Chelsea Pottschmidt Stage '06

Jamie Thomas '05 and Jessica Ferreyra Thomas '05

Joe Travis '80 and Cynthia Halley Travis '80

Earl Turner III '96 and Lindsay Lamont Turner '97

Guy Watkins IV '76 and Sharon Easterly Watkins '76

Bruce Weller '85 and Paige Hendry Weller '86

Adrian Wilcombe III '71 and Wendy Kahao Wilcombe '71

Addison Willett '00 and Margaret Coady Willett '03

For any edits, additions, or corrections please email [email protected]. 

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