We have prearranged to get married in San Diego, CA next spring with a very intimate & private wedding. Although we would love to have every single one of our friends & family present, we didn't feel that would be the best fit for us. So, we elected (with the help of April's parents) to throw a summer celebration, right here, in the Pacific Northwest! Consider this our way of including you all in our wedding festivities. Our joy & gratitude for you is immeasurable, & it would mean the world to us if you could join our party!
Troy says...Troy and his dog encountered a beautiful young lady, April, and her pup, Diesel, walking in the back alleyway. After first exchanging pleasantries, the encounters became more frequent so verbal communication commenced - clearly they moved fast. First encounter being on a stairway, second an elevator. Picking his fractured heart up off the floor after April called him Thad, Troy was keen to get to know this woman more. His attraction to her outward beauty was only eclipsed by the inner beauty he quickly discovered by asking her question after question after question after question. The more he got to know this woman, the more time *shockingly* he wanted to spend in her presence. This only rivals the most recent Lifetime chick flick. April says...the first time she saw Troy she remembers thinking he was the best looking man she's ever seen in her life. After he introduced himself to her, she started sweating then proceeded to forget his name. Our friendship budded over dog walks, praying together, attending church, going to the gym, and just getting to know one another. Yes, April still started sweating every time Troy came around. Looking back on this special time April can't help but laugh at how she would try to guess Troy's schedule and walk Diesel at the same time he would be walking Shya. The "casual" bump-ins were technically much more calculated that she led him to believe. One thing really special about being friends for 6 months before dating was that everything was pure. Our hearts, our bodies, our intentions, our souls. We got to love and appreciate each other for the person they were. We realized that no matter what happened, we really enjoyed spending time together and had never met a friend quite like one another. One week after I met Troy, I remember sending out a tweet that said "Are not lifelong friendships born at the moment when at last you meet another who has some inkling of that something you were born desiring?"
Over the last three years, our story has been exciting and adventurous with twists and turns. We quickly found ourselves enjoying going to the gym together. Something we still love doing together today at Orange Theory Fitness. April enjoys cooking, Troy enjoys eating. We have many great memories of sharing home made meals together and hosting close friends and family together. From the beginning, Troy has trusted April to cut his hair and even after she hacked it once, he still trusts her to cut it to this day! We've had the opportunity to see one of our favorite bands NEEDTOBREATHE live three times together, and it's always been a special time. We've been able to serve together at our church's large conference each summer and we love comparing notes and leadership nuggets from the conference. We have yet to get tired of Nordstrom or Nordstrom Cafe. We have had countless meaningful conversations over the Shrimp Arugula Salad, and the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich. We've seen both our Alma Maters (UW and SDSU). Our happy place is in each other's arms in front of water, in the sunshine, by a fire, or under rustic lights. We've both made huge strides in our careers throughout our relationship and having a front row seat to the wins and to be able to cheer each other on has been extremely special. We've road tripped from Seattle to SoCal. We've laughed, we've argued, we've cried, we've missed the mark, we've asked for forgiveness. Through it all we have always come back to loving each other exactly where they are at, and knowing God is in control. We both feel like we are marrying-up and love being on the Tropril Team together.
Troy says...Proposal Day was the best day of my life. I spent months customizing the ring with my soon to be fiancee as well planning out the day itself. Not to mention it was something I often dreamt about doing for 34 years, and will only do it once in my life. Needless to say, there was was much anticipation leading up to Proposal Day. The Eve of Proposal Day was similar to Christmas Eve. Checking the weather pattern religiously, ensured every little detail was finalized, visualized about what I was going to say and how the day was going to go, and meditated and thanked the Good Lord for bringing us together. I could not help but think my grandparents, loved ones in heaven, and all of Heaven was filled with excitement as well. The morning of Proposal Day brought so many emotions. I was fully confident in the decision that was made and that Sweet April is the woman I am supposed to spend the rest of my days with. The day could not have gone better. The execution of the plan was flawless. Every twist and turn made it fun and exciting - far exceeding my wildest expectations #Eph3:20. When we approached the dock, my heart began to race as all the build up and preparation was merely moments away. As we got to the 'spot' my heart racing uncontrollably, I dropped a knee as asked the most important question of my life, "April, will you Marry me?" . As rain drops fell in my eyes as I looked up at her beautiful face, she said an emphatic "YES" ... and the rest is history. That is why Proposal Day was the best day of my life. April says...nothing, because she is still crying happy tears from reading above