OUR GREATEST ADVENTURE YET

We met in the summer of 2020 at Bridge Creek High School’s Summer Pride, the school’s over-the-summer conditioning program for athletes. At the time, Malory was a junior football manager, and Jacob was a freshman lineman on the football team. Not long after meeting, we began spending more time together when Malory would give her friends rides home after football practice, and one day Jacob joined them. Around that same time, Malory also grew closer to Tayson Ritter, who would later become Jacob’s best man. Over the next couple of years, we became best friends. From random trips to Walmart with our friend group to pre-football game lunches at Boomerang, and even late-night drives with the windows down and the music turned up, we were undeniably inseparable—as our parents can attest. For months, we insisted our love was nothing more than platonic, but eventually, we realized we were falling for each other. Jacob was the first to recognize his feelings and patiently (and proudly) waited over eight months for Malory to feel the same. During those eight months, we showed up for one another in every way. Through hard days, late-night talks, and plenty of laughter, we created a bond that grew into something more than friendship. On February 13, 2022, we officially took a chance on each other and have cherished every adventurous moment together since. Jacob proposed on February 16, 2024, and we are deeply grateful to our family and friends for supporting our love story every step of the way. We can’t wait to celebrate this next adventure surrounded by the people we love most.