Jack and Alena met through their parents! Although, that is the simplified version… Jack and Alena grew up together in the First Baptist Church. They did not know each other personally, but their parents did. Their mothers, Joanna (Jack’s mom) and Julie (Alena’s mom), had a friendship in the early 2000s. Eventually, Jack and Alena’s family went to different churches and their parents did not talk for a while due to life’s busy schedule. Around 2019, Joanna and Julie saw each other at Sacred Heart (both worked for St. Luke’s) and started talking again! In 2022, Joanna called Julie and they both brought up how both of their children were home from college and were both single. Alena overheard this conversation and heard that Jack was a former Air Force veteran AND into mathematics. She was SO excited to meet him. Shortly after the conversation, Jack and Alena began talking over text. Jack arranged a first date on November 4th to Torre (A Mexican restaurant in the Promenade Shops— Center Valley). Before dinner, they stopped at Yankee Candle and were smelling each and every candle. They were deciding which candle would go in which room of their house…and we both kept slipping up and saying “our” house rather than “my.” (lol). After dinner, Jack and Alena watched a movie, “The Terrifier” (Great first date movie, haha). They both had a strong connection from that moment and felt like they had known each other their whole life just within that first night. After one year and three months of dating, Jack popped the question at Longwood Gardens (Alena’s favorite place)! They knew from their very first date that they were meant to be married. Not only do they love each other very much, but they also love Christ more. Keeping Christ at the center of their relationship has brought them closer to each other and will continue to do so. We are so excited to be celebrating our love and promise to each other, and union with Christ, with you as our witness on December 28th, 2024! All Glory be to Christ! Colossians 3:23-24