Olivia and I met at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. Now, almost 7 years later, we will be celebrating another milestone at the museum–but this time with all of you, our family and friends. Wapakoneta played an integral role in the early days of our relationship, and we are excited that you all, whether you live there or are visiting for the first time, will get to see some of the landmarks that served as the backdrop for our first year together, or in Olivia’s case, her childhood. While you’re in town, we would love if you took some time to visit a few of these locations that, like the museum, house some important and wonderful memories. Most of these are listed on the “Things to Do” page, but below is a little more background on what makes each spot so special: --- First English Lutheran Church: Olivia’s second home as a kid. Her dad, Steve, preached at First English for 18 years. Don’t worry about visiting on your own time. You’ll get to see it during the ceremony. --- Armstrong Air & Space Museum: As noted above, we met at the museum when A.J., the new reporter at the Wapakoneta Daily News, was sent to cover an event organized by the new outreach educator, Olivia. You’ll also be able to see this during the weekend’s festivities. Our reception will be on the museum lawn, and you’ll have time to take a tour during the cocktail hour. --- J. Marie’s Wood Fired Kitchen: We spent many hours here, both on our own and with friends, family, coworkers and world-class trivia team. If you’re thirsty or in need of a bite to eat, this is the spot we recommend. --- The Alpha Cafe: If you’re leaving J. Marie’s but not quite ready to head home, this is the spot for you. We’ve had more than a few nightcaps here over the years, and will assuredly have a few more. Bring cash. --- Temple of Tolerance: The site of our second date, this backyard monument is one of the more unique things about Wapakoneta. It’s kind of difficult to explain and a little hard to find, so if you try to visit the “rock garden,” as some locals call it, you’ll want to look for the house with a bomb hanging off the roof. No, I’m not kidding. Walk up the driveway and into the backyard. Don’t worry, you’re not only allowed, but encouraged to be there. --- Heritage Park: Located behind downtown on the banks of the Auglaize River, this is the site of two very important events. One, we found our then 6-week old cat, Birdie, in this park, stuck 25 feet up in an oak tree. Two, I proposed on a bench along the river about 5 years later. We’ll have a gathering here the night before the wedding, so plan on getting a glimpse, but it’s a nice spot to relax if you find yourself with some downtime. --- Winans Coffee and Chocolate: While we were dating, Olivia and I would regularly meet here on our lunch breaks. When it was nice, we’d head out the back door and go sit by the river in Heritage Park, leading to both of the events mentioned above. --- Coffe Amor Roastery & Cafe: Another one of our favorite spots, this is an excellent option if you need a pick-me-up. We’ve spent many hours here catching up with friends, working and enjoying a relaxing Saturday morning. I should note, this is not an exhaustive list. There are plenty of places to discover in Wapakoneta, and we encourage you all to explore the town and create your own memories. While Priority Number One is to get married, we want you all to have a fun and memorable weekend. Thank you for celebrating with us! - A.J. and Olivia