We’re getting married!

Our story started long before we ever officially got together. Growing up in the same circles, with mutual friends, our lives were always loosely intertwined. There was always a connection—but for years, it was a classic case of right person, wrong time. In the summer of 2011, that connection finally had its moment. We spent an evening with friends at a park, talking for hours as sparks quietly flew. From that night on, we became best friends—each other’s go-to for everything. Whether it was advice, relationship talk, or just a quick call to hear the other’s voice, we were always there for one another. Life eventually pulled us in different directions, and we lost touch for several years. Fast forward to the summer of 2018, when fate stepped in at Riverside Park. I, Ariana, was dropping my brothers off at football practice, while JT was there coaching—or, as he might admit, watching me from across the field. Not even fully sure it was me, JT began asking around about “the girl with the yellow chair,” confidently declaring he’d be a stepdad within a week. What he didn’t realize was that he was saying all of this to my mom, who hadn’t seen him in years. She quickly texted me, and the two of us laughed it off… at least at first. Later that night, I received a Facebook message from JT asking if I had been at the field. From that moment on, everything fell back into place. We reconnected instantly, catching up on the years we missed—both newly out of long-term relationships and, for the first time, finally in the right place at the right time. We talked every night, although I may have dodged a few first dates out of nerves (something JT still doesn’t let me forget). Eventually, I said yes—and the rest was history. Our relationship quickly became a blend of all the things we love most. Bills games, soccer games, hockey games, and countless days spent back at Riverside Park—just like when we were kids. Our first kiss happened there too, in the parking lot, mid-conversation. It was quick, unexpected, and immediately followed by both of us blushing and going our separate ways… until my brother Roman caught wind of it and made sure everyone else did too. From that point on, we were inseparable. We built a home together, a family, and a life full of love and laughter. JT first said “I love you” at 6:30 in the morning while walking me to my car for work—quickly saying it, kissing me, and running off before either of us could process it. (We definitely talked about it later and laughed a little.) Through life’s highs and challenges, we’ve grown side by side—welcoming two kids, losing Savannah, the triumphs and trauma of Sebastian's birth, two dogs, earning degrees and certifications, and building a life and love we're proud of. The proposal came unexpected, just days after our son turned 1. I may have been a little mad at JT for buying his dream truck unexpectedly and not telling me until I came home to him parked outside. And he may have nervously tried to make the proposal perfect as his plans were ruined with his truck being ready before the ring. But with the help of some of our best friends, as the sunflower fields closed early that season, JT pulled off the surprise of a lifetime, proposing in the rose gardens at Delaware Park... Nearly nine years later, we're finally saying “I do”—proof that sometimes the best love stories are worth waiting for.