How We Met
While we did not meet by grabbing the same piece of fruit at a grocery store or locking eyes while passing each other on the street, how we met is romantic in its own way. We found each other online, on a dating app, Hinge. In an ocean with who knows how many thousands of fish in it, not only did Allison and I find each other, but I was Allison's very first match. I remember the exact spot I was standing when I saw she matched with me and also how happy I was. We did not have our first date for over a week after matching, but I could tell even by our messages, there was something different about her. There was a depth and a sincerity that I had not experienced before. We finally went and played mini golf for our first date. She was quiet and reserved, but every bit as pretty as profile pictures, and then some. I started my usual trash talk and teasing but, once I picked up that this was not her preferred way of interacting with people, I turned myself down a few notches. But afterwards, once we sat down at a pizza place to have dinner, then I was met with the warm and genuine personality I had been messaging with for the past week. We started talking well before sunset and continued the early stages of exploring each other's hearts until well after dark. We were the last people there and they had to kick us out so they could close. Pulling ourselves away from each other was hard, but we both deeply enjoyed our first date together and were hopeful the other felt the same way, not knowing that night was only the first of many. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Proposal
It was a warm summer night, and the date was August 11th. We had originally talked about getting engaged in November or December, but I simply could not wait. I knew I was sure and ready to spend the rest of my life with Allison, and I was confident she felt the same. I decided to take her to a secluded park to have a picnic and go stargazing. Up until the moment I proposed, she had no idea. We were actually parked outside a Lee's Chicken to pick up dinner on the way there, and she made a point to tell me that she would be ready to get engaged before November or December, if I was. She said this all while sitting only a couple feet away from the ring in the glove box of my car. Once we found a secluded spot, in the final moments of dusk, I had Allison close her eyes as I setup the tripod and string lights around the blanket. I had her open her eyes to me on one knee, joyfully offering my life and my love to her. As you can see from the picture, she was only slightly surprised, but said yes with every bit as much joy as I proposed with. We then held each other and savored that moment for as long as we could, as brand new fiances. One of my favorite memories of that moment is that she did not even look at the ring for at least 3 or 4 minutes. The only thing that mattered to her in that moment was that we were going to get to spend the rest of our lives together. The night of our proposal story will forever be a treasured memory by us both.
Our Future
Who can say what the future holds for us. What we do know is that God loves us, our future is in his hands, and that his plan is better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. We have so many wonderful dreams of our first home together, starting and raising a family who loves Jesus, growing old together, and everything in between. We hope and pray for many good things, but know there will also be many hard things too. No matter what, the good will be sweeter and the hard will be easier because we will do it together.
April 26th, 2026
The Ceremony
From 3:30 to 4:30
The wedding ceremony will be at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. As we try to do in our relationship, our ceremony will be centered on Jesus and the gospel, and we are excited to share this special moment with you.
