We are Getting Married!

In June of 2020, Catherine drove from California to Missouri with her Dad and cat for what she thought would be a short stay. Between less traffic, lower rent, Andy’s frozen custard, a new love of golf, and more time with the lights of her life–her niece and nephew, she can’t say what exactly made her take the plunge to stick around the Ozarks a while longer. But luckily for Jeff, she did. During that time, the two connected on the dating app Hinge and talked online for some time before meeting in person. If you ask Catherine, Jeff canceled twice (Jeff will tell you Catherine bailed once too). With persistence, their schedules finally aligned, and they had their first date at Tie and Timber brewery. They hit it off instantly and quickly made plans to meet again that weekend. Over the next few weeks, they went to a different brewery every 3-4 days. They never looked back. Catherine knew there was something special when Jeff started the 2000s music for a middle school dance party in his living room. He pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped her let loose and have fun. Living room dance parties are still one of their favorite things. It didn’t take Jeff long to realize he had found someone perfect either. Trying to escape the pandemic, the two spent their first New Years’ Eve together at a cabin in Northern Arkansas. But, by the end of their stay, the pandemic found them, and Jeff could hardly taste the difference between dinner and dessert. He was so fortunate to have Catherine there for him in the coming days, and even though the two of them were not feeling well, they were able to grow even closer (and try to take their minds off of things with scary movies). Jeff couldn’t have done it without her. A year later, they were engaged and returned for 2022 New Years and a more relaxing stay.

-Playing golf together -Exploring Springfield’s breweries -Taking their Great Pyrenees Poodle mix, Maisie, to the Dog Park/Bar -Taking weekend trips around the Ozarks and Midwest -Watching Mizzou basketball -Binge-watching suspense thrillers and Marvel shows

After struggling to keep what would be Catherine’s ring hidden while the the two were going through the moving process, attending an event with Catherine’s family that prominently featured a jewelry store gift package as a live auction item, and finally getting to stay the night at their new house, only to be overwhelmed by all that still needed to be done, Jeff asked Catherine if she wanted to go for a nighttime drive to clear their minds. When the two passed by Taco Bell (which Catherine thought might have been the real reason for the drive), without stopping, Jeff told Catherine he needed to quickly stop by his old house to pick up something he had forgotten. Catherine and Jeff made many fond memories at Jeff’s old home, including an early date that was briefly interrupted by a power outage, so when the first light switch they flipped upon arriving that night was coincidentally missing a bulb (it had been taken to the new house), Jeff saw an opportunity to bring things full circle. He recreated their power outage “date” by lighting a nearby candle and turning on a song they had listened to that night that had since become a favorite. In the candlelight and with their favorite music playing, he asked Catherine to marry him. Catherine said yes (hence the website).