MCKAYLA In July 2021, I moved back to AZ from San Francisco for a hopital position as a Speech Pathologist. Moving back was bittersweet; I was leaving behind friends, an amazing church, and a new life. Before I even left California, I was searching churches in the area in preparation for this transition, which is when I discovered Impact. As soon as I got back, I began to attend Impact's services and their Young Adults and Young Professionals Program. After one of my first nights at the YA program, I distinctly remember seeing Jon outside the church chatting with some friends. Or, more accurately, chatting with a lot of friends. It seemed like he knew everyone there; I was inspired by his ability to float from group to group with no change in kindness or demeanor. Hoping to meet more people, I went to an after-service hangout at Buffalo Wild Wings. Seeing him there as well, I sat within talking distance of him. Ironically, we didn't end up talking much, but it was the silence that allowed me to see a small part of who he was: someone who was patient, a listener, someone who could hold himself with confidence without feeling the need to brag or boast. Leaving that night, he came up and mentioned a Young Professionals event at TopGolf that he was leading the next night. Showing up at TopGolf the next day, I had every intention of attempting to get to know as many people as possible. But before I knew it, I was swept up in a 2-hour long conversation with Jon. I barely got a word in with anybody else. I called my mom that night, telling her of this super sweet guy I had met, someone I truly felt was being genuine and authentic, engaging in deep conversation as opposed to the plastered, "social media-esque" small talk that I was so used to. Over the next few weeks Jon and I interacted in group settings at church, bible study, and various hangouts. He invited me to go hiking one morning, and I showed up never expecting the rapid-fire questions he shot at me. I clearly remember him asking me about my 5-year plan halfway up the mountain and me desperately trying to answer without sounding as out of breath as I was. But it was that day and the next few weeks we spent intentionally getting to know each other that I fell in love with him. Only 2 or 3 weeks into dating, I told my mom I could see myself marrying him. And here we are. I believe with my whole heart that God was and is so active and involved in this relationship, and I truly believe that he brought each of you into our lives for a reason as well. We can't wait to celebrate something God created with the people He's placed in our lives and love you all so much. Can't wait to see you there!

JON After bouncing around churches and living in Scottsdale for 3 years, I found Impact Church. People were genuine and most importantly, truly searching for God. I attended church services, got plugged into Men's Bible Study, and was introduced to the Young Adults program. After being involved for several months, I had a close friend ask me if there was anyone at the church I could see myself dating. For months I always had the same answer, until one Thursday night. It was after a Young Adults service and a group of people were talking when McKayla caught my eye. She had the most amazing smile and her laugh and attitude to those around her was so pure and kind. I leaned in to that friend without hesitation and said, “She’s the kind of girl I could see myself dating." Hoping to officially meet her, I went to the after-service hangout at Buffalo Wild Wings. We were introduced to one another, but there was no conversation, simply listening. Just hearing how she spoke and her genuine interest in people was so attractive; I knew I needed to get to know her. I invited her to an event I was leading the next day, and thankfully she decided to show up because it was that night at TopGolf that I began to fall in love. We talked for hours, discussing her career, goals, God, and family. It was authentic and so natural; Conversation flowed without pause and before we knew it the night was coming to a close. After a variety of group settings getting to know one another, I finally decided to ask McKayla to go hiking, just the two of us. From start to finish, I was so desperate to get to know her more that I peppered her with questions from everything from her childhood to her 5 year plan :) It was so different than anything I had experienced before, with us intentionally opening up and being vulnerable right from the start. I told my family that night after the hike that I had found my future wife; When you know, you know. A few weeks in, I asked her on an official date to Isabella’s Kitchen and the rest is history. We spent so much time engaging in deep conversations, hiking, dancing in parking lots, and volunteering in church, that just a couple weeks into dating, I knew without a doubt that I was going to ask her to marry me. Proposing was the easiest decision of my life and one of the happiest, but watching her walk down the aisle and being able to call her my wife will take the cake. We are both so excited to have each of you here to celebrate with us, and help us to kick off a lifetime of love. Can’t wait to see you there!