As most of you know, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we chose to have a small intimate wedding ceremony on July 10th, 2020 which was live streamed to include our family and friends. It was a beautiful day with our immediate family and bridal party, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to get married even amidst the craziness going on around the world. The first year of marriage has been full of joy, adventure, challenges, and love. We have experienced a trip to the ER, both contracted the coronavirus, traveled and visited with our families, and have grown in our understanding of who God is and how he loves. The Lord has blessed us so much in our first year of marriage and we are so excited to see how he moves in our life together in the years to come. We can't wait to have all our friends and family in one place to celebrate, dance, and thank God for all that he has done in the past year!

Emma and Brooks went to the same high school church youth group and did not interact much at first. Although, he was rather struck with her beauty (as was every other high school guy). They had their first conversation in MAP cafeteria when their families had lunch together at Grove City College’s Junior Crimson day. Little did they know they would be spending a lot more time together at that very college. Fast-forward a couple months, and Emma and Brooks went on a mission trip to Belize with Old North Church’s youth group. Before going on the trip, Brooks recalls showing a buddy pictures of Emma on Instagram, commenting on how rather attractive she was (admittedly he’s paraphrasing). It was on this mission trip where Emma and Brooks got to know each other. While in Belize, Emma started to develop feelings for Brooks. Emma was enamored by his selfless heart and pursuit of Christ. Brooks, oblivious to it all, never thought in a million years a guy like him could end up with a girl like her. Things never got romantic between the two of them while on the mission trip. Shortly after returning from Belize, Emma told lifelong friend Emilie Miasek that Brooks was indeed, “cute” and that she may have started to develop feelings for him. Emilie then told his sister Hope, who told Brooks. However, it was rather inconceivable to Brooks that THE Emma Hartshorn could have feelings for him. So what did Brooks do with this exciting information? Nothing. He honestly didn’t believe them.

Emma patiently waited in hopes that Brooks would reach out to her and she could get to know him better. However, she eventually decided to make a move and added him on Snapchat, ooooooooo. After Snapchatting for a while, Emma also made the second move. She asked for his phone number. By this time, Brooks was finally starting to realize that Emma might actually have feelings for him. While he still didn’t understand how it was possible, he didn’t question it, and finally asked her out on a date. On our first date, Brooks took Emma to Handel’s (an ice cream shop) and then to his roof. With a ladder, they climbed up on top of his roof, and talked to each other while looking at the stars. There, they learned they had much in common, including being class secretary and sharing an affinity for Project Runway. Fast forward several dates and Brooks asked Emma to be his girlfriend during a walk in Boardman Park. Brooks and Emma finished out their senior years of high school, but not before each decided to continue their academic and athletic careers at Grove City College. At GCC, Brooks and Emma’s relationship continued to grow. Extremely busy schedules, sports seasons, and long periods of time abroad only grew them closer. Fast forward to the summer before their senior years of college, and they were happy to both be working close to home – Brooks at an advertising agency in Youngstown, and Emma at an elementary school. Brooks knew that this was the summer he had to get his ducks in a row to ask Emma to be his wife. He wasted no time.

Shortly after attending the Hartshorn Family Vacation in Toronto, Brooks asked Emma’s father for permission and picked out the engagement ring with her sister Kate and friend Nicole. On Labor Day, shortly after returning to GCC for their senior year, Brooks took Emma on a secret date to celebrate their 4-year anniversary. Their first stop? Home Again Flowers, a pick-your-own-flower garden that had become a favorite date spot for the two. Little did Emma know, Brooks had strategically placed two of his friends (Mollie Pierson and Emily Fromel) to capture the moment. With a lump in his back left pocket and a stomach full of nerves, he finally proposed. Long story short, she said yes (!!!), and Brooks surprised Emma with an engagement party at his house shortly after the proposal. … Our story is a testament to God’s faithfulness, in both our individual lives and as a couple. We are so thankful for all that He has done and cannot wait to see what He has in store for our future together! God is good! We cannot wait to celebrate our special day with all of you!