Md. bride presents father with ‘certificate of purity' on wedding day
WASHINGTON - To some people, the idea of waiting for marriage might seem old fashioned, but not for Timothy and Brelyn Bowman. The 20-somethings tied the knot earlier this month in Prince George's County, and they were virgins when they wed.
To prove it, Brelyn presented her father, Pastor Mike Freeman, with a 'certificate of purity' on her wedding day. Soon after the wedding, the couple's social media posts went viral, and they have received both praise and criticism.
Appearing on Good Day DC, Brelyn said she signed a pledge when she was 13 to remain a virgin until marriage. FOX 5's Steve Chenevey asked Brelyn how her father reacted to the certificate that she presented to him.
"He was so excited because it's not nothing he required. He didn't ask, 'I need you to go and present this.' It was something because I kept my word," said Brelyn Bowman. "My sister, who was a virgin when she got married, did the same thing. And she was an example for me, so now I can be an example for others."
Timothy said the couple made sure their mindsets lined up before they started dating three years ago. He said it was important to have a good support system and a strong sense of self-worth.
"If I feel myself that important, let me save myself for the one that I want to get married to," said Timothy Bowman.