We're getting married!!

We first met back in college, during one of those chaotic days when everyone was settling into a new semester. Joseph casually asked Val if she needed help moving in, a simple question that didn’t seem like much at the time. Little did Val know, that small moment would be the start of something so much bigger. Fast forward to March 2021, Joseph (a little shy, but very determined) asked the brides best friend if she was single and if she could maybe help him out. Thankfully, she said yes, and with her matchmaking magic, he got Val's contact info. If it weren’t for her best friend, who knows if their paths would have crossed again in just the right way? What started as a thoughtful gesture turned into their first date… and eventually, something so much more. And now, here they are, writing their love story together, one chapter at a time.

Craig Kierelko officially adopted Joseph in 2019, but their story began long before that. Craig met Marcy and took Joseph in at a very young age, stepping into the role of a father when Joseph needed one most. Over the years, Craig has been more than a guardian; he has been a steady, loving, and guiding presence, helping shape Joseph into the man he is today. Their bond runs far deeper than legal paperwork. It is a relationship built on trust, love, and unwavering support. For Joseph, changing his last name to Kierelko is not just a symbolic gesture. It is an acknowledgment of the man who raised him, believed in him, and stood by him like a true father. It is a tribute to the family they built together and the deep respect and love he has for Craig. In choosing to take his last name, Joseph is honoring the life and legacy they share, fully embracing the name that has felt like his all along. Valerie, as Joseph’s partner and soon-to-be wife, is equally honored to take the Kierelko name. For her, it represents joining a family built on love, strength, and commitment. By sharing the Kierelko name, Valerie embraces not only her marriage to Joseph but also the deep bonds and values that Craig has instilled in him. Together, Joseph and Valerie step forward united by a name that holds profound meaning and love for both of them.