Our Story
Question
James's Perspective
Answer
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33) It all started with a dam. Maddie and I first met at a cookout at Ledges State Park in Madrid, IA the summer of 2023, just a couple of weeks after I moved to Des Moines after graduating from Iowa State. Maddie and her friend Jenna were visiting their friend Libby for the weekend. I instantly knew Maddie and I had potential when she continued talking to me even after my monologue about the importance of using the Bernoulli fluid flow equation to help us build our dam made of rocks and sand in the creek at the park. After the cookout, we each went our separate ways as Maddie went back to Missouri to finish up school and I continued to get acquainted with living and working in Des Moines. Eight months passed before we saw each other again. In March 2024, Maddie visited Des Moines again to see if she would be interested in moving there after finishing up her dietetics program. I decided to ask her out after a party and our story officially began with a coffee shop date after Sunday mass. For the next few months we grew closer through weekly facetimes and the occasional date in Kansas City, Kirksville, or Columbia as Maddie finished up school. By the time Maddie moved to Des Moines in June 2024, I had a strong suspicion she was the one I was going to ask to marry me someday. Over the next twelve months, through our frequent adventures around Des Moines, cooking homemade meals together, or during our long conversations at coffee shops, it became clear to me that Maddie is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. All that was left was to put a ring on her finger.
Question
Maddie's Perspective
Answer
As James said, we met the summer of 2023 at a park cookout where we all decided to build a dam. Though, I do not recall him "impressing me" with some fluid equation, I do remember asking Libby if he was single. Little did I know, that meeting would be the basis for our interaction the next time I came to visit Des Moines. James was the only one I knew at a small gathering Matthew and Libby Bishop hosted when I came to visit 8 months later. He decided to sit next to me during a card game and make conversation. I had no idea he was planning to ask me on a date at the end of the night. For our first date, we went to a coffee shop connected to a gas station (which apparently is a Des Moines thing) and went on a walk. Needless to say I was not impressed by the location choice for the first date, but I am glad I stuck around. Over the course of the next year we have found ourselves spending many hours in coffee shops, on walks, and in the kitchen making delicious meals. It has been the greatest gift of my life getting to know and love James. It is hard put into words how overjoyed I was when he asked me to marry him. I cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together as we live out the vows we will profess on our wedding day.
Question
Our Perspective
Answer
Looking back on our stories it is impossible for us not to see the hand of God at work in our lives. We wouldn’t have met if James hadn’t decided to move to Des Moines after college just to explore a new city, or if our friends hadn’t introduced us to each other, or if Maddie did not consider moving to Iowa. There is no such thing as a coincidence and we are extremely grateful for the gift of each other. Now it is time, with the support of our friends and family, to live out this gratitude every day of our lives!
Question
History's Perspective
Answer
In the beginning was the Word... I think you know the rest.