____________________________________________________________________ Our story began long before we could have ever imagined this day would come—back when we were just around 8 years old. We grew up in the same church, spent weekends camping with our families, and Kassi became best friends with Zak’s sister. Through those formative years, we unknowingly shared countless memories that shaped us into who we are today—our lives already intertwined in ways we couldn’t have imagined at the time. Then came a moment in the world’s story that changed everything: COVID. The pandemic forced all of us to pause and reflect. For Kassidy, it meant reevaluating her path. Film and theatre—two art forms she had poured her heart and soul into—were suddenly deemed "nonessential." But in that pause, she realized her true passion wasn’t just the art itself—it was the experience she could create for others through it. That realization led her back to her roots in interior design, a field she’d dabbled in at community college and worked on throughout her childhood, helping her dad with home renovations. And that’s when everything began to fall into place. Zak, who had always known he wanted to be an architect, practically from the moment he was born, found himself drawn to Kassidy's vision. Though typically a behind-the-scenes guy, unless you got him talking about his favorite topics, Zak couldn’t help but connect with Kassi on a deeper level when he found out she shared similar interests. What followed were hours of late-night conversations, braving the cold in parking lots or chatting over video games about the intersection of art and design, and eventually diving into the most random of topics, like the perfect punchline to a daily dad joke. It felt as though, without even realizing it, we’d been shaping the blueprint of our connection for years; what started as a spark between two like-minded souls soon blossomed into something deeper, more meaningful, and entirely our own. Before we knew it, we were meeting regularly to design an art piece as a wedding gift for Kassidy's older sister—a project that brought us closer than we ever anticipated. The more we collaborated, the more we discovered how perfectly our talents and personalities complemented each other. Zak’s designs are abstract, free-flowing, and filled with boundless creativity, while Kassidy’s are structured, precise, and rooted in practicality. As we worked side by side, it became clear: together, we weren’t just creating something beautiful—we were crafting something meaningful, a reflection of our shared vision and unique connection. For nearly five years, we’ve chosen each other every single day—through the highs and the lows, the quiet moments and the loud ones. We’ve patiently awaited this day, the day we finally get to say, "I do." This moment is about the love we share, and the merging of our lives: Form meets Function. Where creativity and structure come together, blending vision with practicality. Where the different parts of us unite to create something more than just balance, but a shared journey, rich with purpose and possibility. Together, we craft something not only beautiful, but alive with meaning. So, welcome to our wedding—a place where art and life intersect, where form and function meet, and where our love story has been perfectly co-designed with Christ.

____________________________________________________________________ Let's start with the obvious question: can you remember the moment you began falling for each other? K: "If you know Zak, he’s usually in his own little world. But the moment I realized he was interested was when he began doing flirty things like complimenting my eyebrows or jump-scaring me. It wasn’t over the top, just playful moments that were so out of character for him. We stayed after events just to keep talking in empty parking lots. That’s when I knew—we weren’t looking for something casual; we were genuinely invested in knowing each other deeply." Alright, let's talk about the first move. Who took the initiative to ask the other out, and how did that all go down? Z: "Kassi had just started painting at our church, and I couldn’t help but notice. One day, I overheard her sister mention wanting a dove painting as a wedding gift, and it clicked. I reached out and asked if she’d want to collaborate on it. Next thing I knew, we were meeting regularly to work on it together." K: "During one session, 'A Million Dreams' from The Greatest Showman came on. Without thinking, we both started singing along, almost as if we had practiced the harmony. I could feel him glancing over at me, teasing me for holding my paintbrush in my mouth while I tried to figure out the next step. It was silly, but it was us. Right then, I could tell he was interested in something more than just a friendship. A few weeks later, after our next art session, he took me to his mom’s garden and asked me out." Was there a moment you realized you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together? Z: "You know, there was never really one moment that crystallized as an 'aha, I love Kassi' moment. Rather, it was a hundred little moments—laughing together at jokes, indulging in our creative arts, or even the more difficult moments of working through college and facing life’s challenges. All these little threads interwove to tell the story of our lives individually, but more importantly, our story as an interwoven tapestry. And in that, I found that I loved her and the story we told, and I couldn’t wait to weave more of our tapestry together." Did you have any idea when he was planning to propose, or did he completely surprise you? K: "Oh, I totally knew! Zak and I are both homebodies, so when he suddenly initiated a date, I immediately got suspicious. We went to visit one of his friends for the weekend, and he said he wanted to stop by one of his favorite museums on the way home. So, I packed my press-on nails and made him wait with me while I did them in the car at the parking meter!" A wedding like this can involve a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and it can get overwhelming! Do you have a go-to date night board game that helps you both unwind and take a break from the stress? Z: "I'd have to say it's a tough choice between Wingspan and Mistwind. On one hand, Kassi really loves Wingspan, but on the other... flying whales. Look it up!" Okay, so I'm sure everyone's dying to know... How long has Zak been wearing the hat? Z: *Ponders and begins counting on fingers...* "17 years!" To wrap things up, what are you both most excited about for the future together? K: "I think we’re both really excited about building a home—both physically and metaphorically. We’ve been designing and creating together for so long, and now we get to do that in every part of our lives. I’m excited to see where that creativity takes us." Z: "Like Kassi said, I’m also excited to build a home together, but I’m also really looking forward to the little moments—the ones that are easy to overlook. Like when you walk through the door after work, or the joy of seeing a rainbow after a storm. Those shared, quiet moments of peace, especially when the sun sets. The big moments, sure, they're memorable, but life is really made of all those small, beautiful ones. And I can’t wait to share all of them with Kassi."