Join us to celebrate our love!

We met as teenagers in high school, while dating other people (yikes). Picture this: we've been trapped in our houses for months (thanks, COVID) and are being driven around by friends, since there's quite literally nothing else to do. This is how we first met. Accompanied by the two Ethan/Ethyns (Ethan Cumper and Ethyn Downing), we encountered someone neither of us ever thought we'd meet in person. We originally met online through some mutual friends. Something just clicked, and we became friends right away. Every night, we'd stay up late talking about anything and everything. The screen between us did not stop us from sharing life events with each other; soon enough, we were online besties (gross, we know), supporting each other through thick and thin. But, COVID had taken away our chances of having licenses. Despite only living 40 minutes apart, and being very emotionally close, there seemed to be a distance neither of us thought we'd ever be able to bridge. And then, spontaneously, on one of those aimless COVID boredom drives, we met outside of Cody's house in Sandusky. Both Ethyn and Ethan pee on Cody's tree. Then, they drive Abby away. Somehow (despite Abby's friends so rudely peeing on Cody's greenery), something changed. Within months, we were both single. Once again, we were driving around the state with friends. It was summer, warm out, the sky clear. And with the doorless and roofless Jeep we were in, we could see all of the stars - the universe even. Yet, the universe didn't matter. What mattered was how we made each other feel. Despite the heaviness of the world around us, life had felt a little lighter for both of us since becoming close. We've been inseparable ever since.

Since we have been inseparable, it has felt like my whole world has begun making sense. Once upon a time, I relied on waiting for the next Call of Duty release to get through every day - no kidding. Now, my life has a genuine purpose: her. Abby has helped inspire me to score a 1340 on the SAT (even with that glorious 2.9 GPA I graduated with). After graduation, I packed up a few belongings and moved to Ohio, leaving behind a toxic environment, something I was only able to do because of and for her. Since then, I have worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, on rigs to provide for both of us. She has bettered my life in so many ways. I have known for so long that she was my person. The person I could count on without question. The person who'd give me the love I never thought I'd get. And I still can’t believe how lucky I am that the most beautiful woman in the entire world even gives me the time of day to look in my direction, let alone actually SEE me the way that she does. Now, I get to marry her.

Growing up, everyone thought I was a spoiled only child. And while that may be true, they should just SEE how Cody spoils me now! It's not material things, either. Cody is the type of man to open the car door for me, drive me around, pump my gas, cook me dinner, and massage my back. You name it. Once, he even helped me at the animal shelter I was volunteering at, just so I wouldn't have to scoop up giant dog turds. That's just who Cody is. He gives his all for those he loves. In the 5-plus years I have been close to Cody, he continues to grow each year. He is incredibly kind, caring, and generous, and much more responsible than I think anyone would have imagined him to be. He truly was a diamond in the rough. All that he has gone through and will continue to go through, while still being so fundamentally good, is awe-inspiring. It helps inspire me to be a better person & to give others as much as I can. Cody has been my biggest supporter through the years. Whether that be the aforementioned back rub, a hug, or the most ridiculous twerking you've ever seen (don't worry, I'm sure it'll be on display at the reception), Cody will do anything to make me smile when I am having a bad day. So, while Cody may think he's the luckiest person because I'm purty, I think I am the luckiest. For getting to marry my biggest supporter/spoiler, one of the best people I know, and my best friend, all rolled into one.