Hello, dear family and friends! As you hopefully heard from us (we're sorry if this news has not reached you!), we have cancelled/postponed our wedding scheduled for March 28th due COVID-19. We hope to still have a very tiny ceremony that day so we can still marry and move forward as a married couple, Lord willing. We also hope to celebrate with you in the future at a later date (TBD). But for now, we greet you with love and we hope for health and safety for you during this time!

Like many human stories, ours is full of imperfection, laughter, pain, wonder, tears, joys, and a constant need for grace. It wasn't love at first sight, we didn't "just know," and it hasn't been a fairytale. It has, however, been full of rich blessing and an undeniable gift. 

Flashback to Fall 2017. Bridesmaids Alyssa and Amy and I (Laura) were about to start another season of teaching ballet classes on Saturday mornings, and we needed some more muscles to lift the marley ballet flooring. Like, we had muscles—obviously—but marley flooring is not light, and we were getting tired. We asked for help, and there was this guy named Isaac who was one of the wonderful humans we soon affectionately called the Manly Marley Men (yes, they have T-shirts). Isaac never drew attention to himself. I remember being struck by his humility, consistency, servant-heartedness, and clear inner depth. When he looked at people, he really looked at them. When he talked to people, he really talked to them. He showed up to lift and carry heavy flooring and tape it down every Saturday morning, and he never made it seem like it was a big deal.

Through that time together on Saturday mornings, I (Isaac) came to know Laura better, and was impressed by her deep, constant empathy and care for the people around her, her passionate, fiery soul, and the sacrifice of time she made while still working a full-time job (it also didn't escape me that she was insanely beautiful). After getting to know one another for a few months and sharing a week of long-winded emails, I didn't feel right letting things stay as they were (and I couldn't stand waiting any more), so I decided to go for it. I told her I was "smitten" by her and asked her to lunch, which she (lucky for me) agreed to! We talked for several hours, and a few weeks later, we decided to "officially" start dating.

We have spent the last two years enjoying conversation, connecting with friends and family, working through difficult life moments, relaxing in good ones, making food (let's be honest, Isaac is usually doing the making), and being general goobers who talk in accents for fun. Some highlights from our time dating include attending a '20s party in period attire, sharing music, attempting new recipes, six-hour-long phone chats, and geeking out at Harry Potter World. We are both dog people, lovers of the outdoors, and followers of Jesus.

- Isaac has a pitbull mix named Charlie who loves to cuddle and wiggles her whole body when she wags her tail. That also means Laura is a soon-to-be dog mom! - Laura and Isaac share an affinity for all things Ireland. Laura took a trip there in July 2017 and Isaac took one with groomsman Buzz in August 2018 (These trips had each been planned—or taken in Laura's case—before we met). - By trade, Isaac works as an Instructional Designer (think graphic designer meets continuing education) and Laura works as a Managing Editor. - Isaac is a skilled musician who sings and plays guitar, piano, base, and probably the cowbell if he tried. - Laura is a former ballet dancer who still gesticulates wildly as a form of communication.