Being a year apart in grades and sharing many of the same friends.. we first met in school. When Kelley Jo was in 6th grade and Matthew in 7th, track brought them together for their first run (pun intended) as boyfriend/girlfriend! Nothing exciting or romantic.. just some sunburns and sweaty bus rides together to and from track meets.. Who knew then that 17years later, we would have three kids, be madly in love, and finally getting married?!

For Matt's Birthday, we went out to dinner with both of our families.. So, here we are, 20 and a high chair deep at Lakeview Grille, celebrating Matthew getting older! After we eat- while Matt is opening his birthday cards, our waitress brings out Matt's birthday dessert! He makes a wish, blows out the candle, and then Paxton and Harper come running around the table with gifts. Matt opens the first gift.. and pulls out a gold Lamp! Like.. straight out of Aladdin, Genie Lamp! "..this means i get three wishes! what do you think my first wish will be?!" "A Magic Carpet!".. and he pulls out a legit, purple and gold, Magic Carpet!! "What do you think my second wish will be..?! A date with Mommy!!" -and Matt hands Kelley Jo an envelope. As Kelley Jo pulls out tickets.. while she is trying to process what is going on and read the tickets.. "Aladdin on Broadway".. and she hears Matt say "What do you think my third wish is.." Kelley Jo looks up, and there is Matthew. On one knee. Ring in hand! Completely caught off guard, we're pretty sure Kelley Jo's first reaction may have been accompanied by some sort of profanity- but was quickly followed by lots of YES's and I LOVE YOU's!

We both knew going into planning our wedding that we want our day to feel like Us- surrounded by our closest friends and family, in an intimate ceremony that speaks to our love for each other and our commitment to a lifetime together.