life is better together

Our story began long before we even knew it was starting — through our church youth group, where we were often around each other but never truly with each other. For years, we crossed paths, shared spaces, and lived in the same circles. But it wasn’t until 2017 that something shifted. That year, we started really talking, really seeing each other — and everything changed. Our first official date was at the ice rink — a simple outing that felt effortless and sweet. Looking back, it was the beginning of something steady, meaningful, and quietly life-changing. Over the years, we’ve grown side by side, sharing laughter, faith, challenges, and so many little moments that shaped us. Life has brought both lessons and blessings our way, and through it all, one thing remained constant: everything made more sense, felt more peaceful, and simply was better when we were together. As time went on, our little family began to form — John, Debbie, and Peanut. Raising her together has taught us so much — not just about being dog parents, but about who we are as individuals and how we show up for each other as a team. From road trips and late-night snack runs to lazy weekends curled up on the couch, our best memories often include Peanut right there with us. Contrary to the belief that couples should have many things in common, the only hobby we truly share is pickleball. And that’s more than enough. Although we’ve only been engaged for the past year, we’ve known for much longer that we made the perfect doubles partner for life. What started out as a cold date on the ice rink has now led to a warm ending to close out this chapter in our story. As we count down the days to when we exchange our vows, we’re reminded of how much we’ve grown — individually and together. We continue to strive to be better for each other, ready to step into the next stage of life with love, laughter, and the shared joy of becoming a family. Thank you for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to celebrate this new beginning with you.