Leanna Crawford, a musician from Nashville, surprised her husband Cody Zeller, an NBA player, at their wedding by performing her original emotional song “Vow to be yours.” The song describes their beautiful love story and incorporates traditional vows.
At 28, Crawford hails from a small farming town on the West Coast of America. She has always had a passion for music, believing it to be her calling. After a high school trip, she felt guided by God towards pursuing music. Crawford shared, “I strongly felt that God was leading me to write encouraging songs that bring hope to people.”
As she embarked on her musical journey, doors began to open for Crawford. Balancing her studies and blossoming music career, she even embarked on her first tour as an artist in 2017. “At that time, I was still in college,” she said. “I completed my studies and then went on tour after a short break.”
In 2018, during a music event, Crawford met her now-husband, Cody Zeller, through a mutual friend. They connected on Instagram and shared light-hearted interactions. Despite limited real conversations, Crawford recalled Zeller wishing her happy birthdays and holidays on the platform.
Amidst the challenges faced by musicians due to the pandemic in 2020, Crawford, like many others, sought new avenues to continue her musical pursuits. She found an opportunity leading singing sessions at a summer camp for foster children in Zeller’s hometown on the outskirts of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Encouraged by her mother and sister, Crawford eventually messaged Zeller, initiating interactions that eventually led to their first official date on her birthday after the summer camp ended.
Maintaining a long-distance relationship due to Crawford’s touring and Zeller’s basketball career with the New Orleans Pelicans, they navigated the challenges until they tied the knot.
Regarding their relationship, Crawford shared, “Long-distance relationships are definitely hard. But if it’s with the right person, you can make it work.” Fortunately, they managed to see each other regularly, helping them stay connected and committed to each other.
Creating designated times for activities like playing card games on their phones every evening, Crawford emphasized the importance of nurturing their bond amidst busy schedules.
Describing Zeller as steady and humorous, Crawford acknowledged his calm demeanor and sense of humor as qualities that drew her to him. After two years of dating, Zeller proposed during a hike, expressing his love through a heartfelt letter summarizing significant moments from their relationship.
Thrilled yet emotional, Crawford recounted the proposal on a cliff where Zeller knelt before her with a thoughtful letter that ultimately led to a joyful acceptance of his proposal.
Leading up to their wedding, Crawford desired to write a special song despite feeling uncertain about composing romantic tunes. After months of effort and creative exploration, she found the perfect angle with the support of her sisters during her bachelorette party.
Inspired by their conversation, Crawford poured her emotions into crafting the song, envisioning their wedding in a church setting and recalling cherished moments from their time together.
Finally completing the song before the wedding, Crawford reached out to the wedding planner to coordinate the perfect surprise moment for Zeller – serenading him during his dance with his mother at their wedding reception in August 2023 in Nashville.
Moved to tears by the unexpected performance, Zeller was ecstatic and touched by the heartfelt gesture from Crawford, showcasing their shared Christian faith and values that serve as the foundation of their relationship.
With faith central to their bond, Crawford and Zeller aim to uphold their spiritual beliefs as the core of their marriage, fostering a deeper connection with each other and with God.
Just as faith underpins their relationship, it also serves as the cornerstone of Crawford’s music, which she continues to share on major platforms like Amazon and Apple Music, staying true to her calling of spreading hope and encouragement through her songs.