J & M

Our story didn’t start in the same hometown, high school, or even the same college - it started exactly where it was meant to, by the goodness and timing of God (and a few very cheap COVID flights to Mexico). Before that trip ever happened, our paths were running parallel without us even knowing it. Matthew was at Drake University playing football, and Joey was at Minnesota State University, Mankato, playing basketball. We shared mutual friends and overlapping circles for years, always somehow just one connection away from meeting. In 2021, a group of about 20 friends decided to book a trip to Mexico, and that’s when everything finally lined up. What started as a fun week away turned into something that felt meant to be from the very beginning. We went back to our home bases - Mankato and Des Moines - knowing we didn’t want that week to be the end of the story. There were visits back and forth, long drives, and plenty of countdowns until the next time we’d see each other. What started as taking a chance quickly became steady, comfortable, and certain. Four and a half years later, on December 14th, 2025, Matthew proposed in Stillwater on the coldest day of the year. It was freezing, but absolutely perfect. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and somehow the cold didn’t matter at all. It’s still a day we talk about and dream about often. From a group trip to forever, we truly believe we met at exactly the right time. We can’t wait for October 24th to begin this next chapter and celebrate the start of our marriage surrounded by the family and friends who have walked alongside us. The day we said “yes” will always be one of our favorites - but we’re even more excited for the day we say “I do.”