We knew it was meant to be when we had our first AND second date on the same day! Our first date had to be cut short due to Emma unfortunately needing to be at work. But Payton didn't want to wait a week before seeing her again. So instead he sat in a parking lot for three hours waiting for Emma to get off, hence starting the second date. If that wasn't enough, Emma waited 6 months to see Payton when he deployed, only three months into knowing each other. If those two events don't represent unconditional love, then I don't know what does!

Payton finished his service in the military during the pandemic, before making the big move to join Emma in Phoenix where she was going through nursing school. While out there Payton started working as an EMT. Payton and Emma were each others biggest cheerleaders through a transitional stage, but all the hard work paid off. Emma works in the Emergency Department as an RN, and Payton is working as a Police Officer. In July of 23 we made the move back to our native midwest to Champaign, Illinois and we recently purchased the most perfect starter home that we are working to make our own!

It was a warm summer day in August. Payton had just graduated the Police academy two days prior. Both families were in the same state for the first time, giving Payton the perfect opportunity to ask Emma the most important question going forward in their lives. Payton took Emma to a beautiful Japanese Botanical Garden in Mahomet, IL. There was a water fall, hundreds of koi fish swimming under their feet, and a big red bridge where Payton dropped down on his knee (extremely nervous obviously) and asked Emma to marry him. It took a second for Emma to process, but when it clicked she said "Yes!" without hesitation. We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Champaign!