We are excited to celebrate our special day with you!

After a position for a new youth musician opened up at Covenant UCC, I showed up to the doors where I was smitten with Chari's beauty more and more after each Sunday service and Wednesday youth choir rehearsal. It was a summer full of googly eyes and friendly greetings. One Sunday after service, Chari asked me to play Happy Birthday to her sister on the piano which led to us exchanging numbers. We talked for hours and that led to a beautiful friendship that would last through our college years and beyond.

After I graduated from Illinois State, I returned to Covenant to volunteer with the Youth Church. Every time I would see Andrew, he would say "hey! we should get coffee sometime" and I would always respond "I don't drink coffee but I'll get some tea :)". This happened at least 102 times before we actually hung out. Finally, we talked after Youth Revival and made plans to see The Incredibles 2, which we call our "first date". It was our first date as adults. Andrew wanted to hold my hand the ENTIRE movie so I conveniently positioned my hand and I watched him as he attempted to make his move. It wasn't until 5 minutes before the credits that he found the courage to lock hands with mine. Our "first" date felt like time went back to 2012 and we were 17 & 18 again.

After receiving the blessing from Chari's mom on behalf of her father who had given me his unofficial blessing before he passed away in early August 2020, I set up a meeting with Chari's immediate family. In this meeting the perfect proposal was planned. The hard part was everyone keeping their excitement secret from Chari. On September 26, 2020 we woke up to prepare for what I thought was just our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, but to my surprise my life would be forever changed. I was told we would have a family photoshoot and I should do my makeup, get my nails done, and get a cute new fall outfit. After finding the perfect spot with optimal natural light in back of the sunflower field, we took some great pictures. As I had my back turned taking pictures of my mom and sister, Andrew's family walked up behind me and my heart dropped! With my heart pounding out of my chest, I said the most honest words I could muster and I asked Chari to be my wife! After her resounding "YES!" I was thrilled to get back to her house where our closest friends and family waited for our arrival VERY patiently. Blind folded, Andrew led me to my backyard where there was an engagement party waiting for me. I took my blind fold off and immediately started crying tears of joy. I was surrounded by most of my closest friends and family to celebrate me being engaged to my best friend! This day was beyond perfect and I wouldn't change anything about it!