Meeting up at a The Woodman the same night we started chatting online, Melinda was ending a long day of digital angst with a live stream app. She informed Jon she needed someone to vent at for quite some time, and therefore wouldn't be a great date. Jon jumped at the opportunity of a first date where the conversation would be easy and mostly listening over a beer. When Melinda showed up, Jon first noticed an amazing smile, and Melinda was even more beautiful and bubbly in person than in her online photos. An unusual online dating experience. Melinda found Jon to be a great, empathetic listener and was impressed by his confidence in his own skin. She was relieved to find a genuine, normal date. We had a wonderful evening that set us on an amazing course of two quite different people, falling in love with getting to know what God had created the other to be.

Jon and Melinda would go on many fun adventures over the course of dating, and although by Melinda's perspective there were numerous opportunities, Jon never popped the question. So, Melinda stopped trying to figure out when Jon was going to propose. One beautiful evening in April at a ranch just outside of the west side of the Grand Canyon, Jon took Melinda on a magical horseback ride through the mountains of Arizona. The desert was in full bloom and so were our hearts. Getting out of the city and enjoying a peaceful trail in nature was inspiring. When we arrived at our campsite the trail guide prepped our dinner to be cooked over a campfire and Jon and Melinda went on a hike at golden hour. Melinda brought her camera with her and at one particularly scenic spot, Jon asked Melinda to sit so he could take her picture at sunset. You guessed it. He proceded to get down on one knee, put the camera down, and pull out that emphamis jewelry box with the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen! Through teary eyes he proposed sweetly and kindly; with a big smile and tears, Melinda said yes! We ended the evening with steaks cooked over campfire and glasses of champagne looking at the night sky full of billions of stars, laughing, and sharing stories back and forth with our guide.

Jon and Melinda plan to get married in a small family only ceremony on the beach. We wish we could include all of our wonderful friends and family in this affair, but an intimate and romantic ceremony fulfills both of our dreams of this moment. We want to thank all of you for your amazing support of us individually, and together. We can't wait to celebrate with you later in a more casual setting.