Our Story In 2019, Justin was serving his second term on the Nixa City Council, and Melissa was working at the Nixa Chamber of Commerce when they first met. Their paths crossed often—through Chamber events and even at the gym, where Melissa would try to say hi… and Justin would awkwardly avoid her. (Just kidding—sort of. He was mostly just shy.) Eventually, Melissa stopped trying to say hello, and that’s when Justin finally started trying to talk to her. Timing, right? On May 18, 2024, after volunteering at the Nixa Sucker Days Arts and Crafts Festival, Justin noticed Melissa had been liking a lot of his posts (with heart emojis, no less). So he decided to message her and ask if she wanted to catch up. He quickly fell asleep, anxious for her reply. Melissa got the message and immediately questioned, “Wait… is this a date? Or are we just catching up?” Confused, but curious, she said yes. Their first official date was on May 24, 2024, at Wire Road Brewery. Justin greeted Melissa with a side hug—to which she responded out loud, “Oh… a side hug?” Still, they started talking and quickly realized how much they enjoyed each other’s company. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and by the end of the night, they were both smitten. The Journey From there, the adventures began. They spent time under the stars, went to ballgames, shared stories, traveled together, and made unforgettable memories. Melissa even made sure Justin got to experience a prom—the one he never had in high school—complete with dancing, decorations, and, of course, a boutonnière. The Proposal In January 2025, Justin began planning his proposal—over 100 days of preparation to make it just right. He designed Melissa’s ring, coordinated with family and friends, planned a dinner, and even sent out formal invitations. To keep her guessing, he had her buy five white dresses for various “dates” he planned—so she’d have no idea which one would be the night. One thing he didn’t anticipate? Melissa suggesting they drive because of her shoes—potentially ruining the carefully placed signs in the parking lot. Thinking fast, Justin offered to carry her. She decided to walk instead. Crisis averted. When they arrived at the rooftop of The Moxy May 10, 2025, Justin got down on one knee and asked Melissa to marry him.....And she said YES!