We're getting married!

Amanda and Jacob’s story began not in their shared Lee County roots, but in the heart of downtown Houston at Trinity Lutheran Church. Amanda, a Lee County native, and Jacob, originally from Cypress, somehow needed a big city and a little divine intervention to finally cross paths. Their first few church encounters were brief—so brief, in fact, that Jacob managed to forget Amanda’s name (don’t worry, he’s much better at remembering important dates now). But fate had bigger plans: Valentine’s Day 2024 doubled as Ash Wednesday, and Amanda saw her chance. Her logic was flawless: if Jacob showed up to church solo on Valentine’s Day, he was definitely single. Spoiler alert—he was. After the service, Amanda and Jacob struck up a conversation over cake balls and sausage-making. One chilly hour chatting outside later, Jacob asked for Amanda’s number—proving he might forget a name, but not an opportunity. A few texts and a near-miss on Lenten service plans, Jacob suggested dinner the following weekend. Their first date was at Postino’s in the Heights, where they discovered just how much they had in common. They began dating on March 21, 2024, and from there, life moved at full speed: trips to Omaha, weddings in Costa Rica, and adventures galore. Fast forward to Easter weekend 2025—Amanda’s favorite holiday. On a Saturday morning, Jacob convinced Amanda to help haul dirt for a strawberry patch at the steps of the former Long Branch School. Amanda, suspicious of Jacob’s unusually nice jeans and her sister’s absence, still didn’t see what was coming. Once at the back of the property, Jacob dropped the dirt charade, popped the question, and Amanda said yes! Jacob’s sister emerged from the bushes in full camouflage, camera in hand, ready to capture the moment. The celebration continued at home with both families, marking the start of their next big adventure together.