12.02.22

It all started when my house invited Mackenna and Amelia over for a game night, shortly after they moved to DC. The house of bachelors swooped at the chance to invite two pretty girls over to their house to “welcome them to the neighborhood”. That first night we were all playing catchphrase, and Mackenna gave a clue that I immediately guessed, and then I gave a clue that Mackenna immediately guessed. The clues given were the type of clues that no one should have gotten without some more help, but we were definitely on the same wavelength. At the end of the night I asked my housemates, was anyone else freaked out how that happened? We continued to hang out in a group setting for a few months, and I finally broke the text barrier when I texted her “happy birthday with a red balloon emoji”. Our communication increased and we were filling our days writing novel texts to each other which consisted of what many saw as nonsensical banter (Mark’s Car Cupcakes might make an appearance at the wedding) but what we both have admitted looking back on it as “someone who could keep up”. I finally asked Mackenna out and on our first date we played mini golf- but of course, mini golf Hannibal style, including trick shots, running to the hole to beat your swing, and $1.00 prize for hole-in-ones. We had such a fun time after the first 18 holes we decided to play again haha. Our first date ended up being a 9 hour marathon which consisted of 36-holes of mini golf, ice cream by the water, multiple pisco sours, walking across the Key Bridge, and witnessing a shooting star while laying on a patch of grass in Georgetown (No food was included….). We continued to go on dates that included taco tours around the city, late night h-o-r-s-e games, and cooking meals together. After a few months of dating we played hooky from work one day and drove to the beach where we had the conversation to officially be boyfriend and girlfriend. Fast forward a little and after about 1.5 years of dating, I proposed on the terrace of the building where we both serve in the children’s ministry together. We are so thankful for this journey and we can’t thank you all enough for the role that you all have played to help us be ready to jumpstart our lives together. We are so excited to celebrate this special occasion with you. Love, Mark + Mackenna