I described Elissa many times before I met her. I told friends that the woman of my dreams would be sweet to everyone, stubborn, goofy, play soccer, and have stunning red hair. I would have added that she would have a signature high messy bun hairstyle and two different sized nostrils if I had thought of it… but what a nice surprise! Love at first sight isn’t a real thing but Jesse Lall (my go to compadre for Elissa advice early on) will tell you that I had a good feeling about this one even before our first date. Our first date was Tacos in Wissahickon park and a night cap at the Goats Beard. Too curious about Elissa to let the night end after the Goats Beard, I asked her if she would join me for a leisurely stroll across a nearby abandoned train bridge before I took her back home. Not yet an avid listener of the “My Favorite Murder” podcast, Elissa agreed. We walked to a point in the bridge where we saw fit to sit down and dangle our legs over the Schuylkill River. Elissa’s Spotify playlist (with the occasional ad playing) was a fitting soundtrack for the next hour or so of childhood stories and tall tales of college mischief we exchanged. It was a perfect moment. When the end of a particularly sweet song met the end of one of her particularly funny stories, I leaned in for what I hoped would be the first of many kisses we would share in the time to come. What I didn’t think about was that the end of a sweet song, could mean the beginning of an obnoxious ad. Whoops! Elissa and I shared our first kiss to Kernel Sanders bragging about the 11 signature herbs and spices he used to craft KFC’s world-famous fried chicken. In hindsight, I am sure that the saliva generated thinking about KFC’s 8-piece bucket helped make the kiss way more enjoyable for Elissa, so shouts out to the Kernel. We laughed hard about the whole thing, and I was smitten.

How does one know when they should propose to their significant other? I don’t know. But I can tell you that it helped when I realized just how often I was imagining Elissa and I being old together. I couldn’t believe how excited I was about the idea! We were lying in a hammock, discussing what a life together would look like, when we agreed that we never wanted to be separated. The more we thought about it we decided we really didn’t even want to be separated by death so far as we could help it… so Elissa and I agreed that when we die we will be buried together in a tree. (1 Cor. 15) Till death do us part our butts. We also began traded the phrase “I love you” for “I want to be a tree with you” when we wanted to place a particular emphasis on a commitment to loving each other for the long haul.

I called my brother (Best Man!) for advice on how to pick a ring and propose. I had delightful dinners with Elissa’s parents to ask for their blessings, and I enlisted the help of close friends and family members. Go time! June 7th 2021, on our two-year anniversary, Elissa and I made plans to eat taco’s in Wissahickon park and talk the rest of the night away with a drink at the Goats Beard; a nod to a fond memory. But after tacos in the park, I gripped Elissa’s hand a little tighter and walked her right past the Goats Beard and to our favorite abandoned train bridge. I began telling Elissa all the reasons I had fallen in love with her as she stared at me confused as to why we had just passed the place we made reservations at. Eventually, we made it to the middle of the bridge where Karlen (Mother of the Bride), Charis (Maid of Honor), Tori (Best Woman!), and Molly Grace (Officiant & Groomsmaid) had set up candles and a beautiful display that centered a bio-degradable urn. “Elissa” I said, “if you want to be my best friend, my old age partner in crime, and if you want to be a tree with me, will you marry me?” It was cornier than most high school promposals but it worked and she said yes! Molly Grace played an obnoxious KFC ad through the speakers and the crowd went wild! Literal fireworks burst up all around us and out of nowhere the queen of England walked out onto the bridge, anointed our heads with truffle oil, and names us dukes and duchesses of Australia. You may be thinking that this story is a little far-fetched. You’re right. There is no way I could have landed a kiss on the first date. But the engagement part is true! So we need your help. Please be a witness to the covenant we enter into together on April 23rd. Help encourage us to love each other faithfully for the rest of our lives. We are so excited to see you and celebrate with you all! 😊