Our story began in August 2022 when we met through mutual friends We had seen one another a couple more times within our mutual friend group and realized our birthdays were one day apart. Our best pal Luke threw us a double birthday party in October and our group of friends ended up at Dave and Busters. John, excited to show off his pitching skills, and anything competitive, made a near perfect score in the baseball pitch game. All of his efforts won a ton of tickets and a stuffed avocado. As we learned more about one another, we realized our similarities were evident in our teamwork skills (like building Reagan's bunkbed together) and our shared birthday month but we also could not be so different. John enjoys making excel sheets for any and everything, playing and watching sports, and planning out his Fantasy Football team months in advance. Kailen enjoys being spontaneous with no real plan, finding ways to be creative, recharges with being around others, is still learning how football works, and attends sports events for the people, snacks, and ambience. These are also ways where we perfectly compliment one another. We found we both shared similar taste in music of many genres, late night Taco Bell stops, skiing, and family time. But where we really clicked were our values for our future and the understanding of knowing a relationship begins with the foundation of God. God blessed us with Rory James Arthur Hennessey in September 2023 and gave our lives a new direction. Reagan could not have been more excited to be a sister, but have a best friend (and new board game partner) in John. Throughout these last couple of years, our relationship has gone through career changes, moves, losses of family members, and navigating the joys and challenges of parenting. However, what remained constant was the love and strength God had poured into each of us individually during this time. What we had found was most similar in both of us, was not a trait, a hobby, or a TV show- but the ways God has been able to transform our hearts, minds, and our relationship. Together, we rediscovered our faith, and understand the true importance of mirroring Christ's love, sacrifice, and commitment through marriage. Finding one another truly was not a coincidence but a gift from God and all of his grace. "Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate" - Matthew 19:6

Walking by the water before our dinner date, John decided to get down on one knee while Kailen was facing the other way talking on and on looking at the water. Kailen noticed her best friend Jess was to her right and snapping pictures, as soon as Kailen turned around she knew what was happening. Of course, she said yes! After a wonderful dinner together, John and Kailen went back to say goodnight to the kids. They opened the door to a surprise engagement party where wonderful family and friends had gathered to celebrate the newly engaged couple. We could not be more blessed for all of the family and friends that contributed to making this day a special one!