Celebrate 5 years of marriage with us!

We were high school sweethearts and never imagined our story would take us on such a wild adventure. After spending a college semester and basic training trading letters and fleeting phone calls, we got married on June 20, 2020—right in the middle of a global pandemic. Our wedding was small, intimate, and full of love, right in the middle of Melissa's parents' living room with Cody on Facetime in Hawai'i barracks. In a way, the perfect reflection of us: resilient, adaptable, and ready for anything. Since then, we’ve spent the year navigating a new chapter in life, including Melissa's move to Hawai'i. Together, we’ve learned to explore a new state, embrace the challenges of a pandemic, and take on the adventure of becoming adults—side by side. Every step of the way has been filled with growth, laughter, and a little bit of chaos, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

After finally coming out of the pandemic, life started to pick up again in fun ways. This was the year we really got to explore Hawai'i—everything from breathtaking beaches to hidden spots that felt like our own little piece of paradise. We also adopted the best dog, Tater Bug, who’s quickly become a huge part of our family. Whether it was hiking, beach days, or just enjoying the slower pace of life, we soaked it all in. One of the highlights of this year was sharing these experiences with friends and family who visited us in Hawai'i. From beach days and slow coffee shop mornings, we made memories that will last a lifetime. Through it all, we’ve only grown stronger as a couple and are more excited than ever for what the future holds.

This year, we packed up everything we had grown to love about Hawai'i and brought it all back to Texas. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to the island life, but it was time to start a new chapter. We both jumped into small jobs to get our footing again and explore new opportunities. Melissa continued her studies while juggling work, and Cody joined the National Guard, diving into a new role that brought its own set of challenges and rewards. It’s been a bit of a reset, figuring everything out all over again—but we’ve learned that we’re great at adapting together. No matter where life takes us, we’re always ready to take on the next adventure, whether it’s moving to a new state, navigating career changes, or just finding our rhythm in a new season of life.

What a whirlwind year for our marriage! In the midst of it all, Cody deployed to Egypt for 9 months, so most of our memories this year were made over FaceTime. Though being apart wasn’t easy, it wasn't the first time and we used all of the tricks we've learned over the years to thrive from it. Back home, Melissa kept pushing forward, juggling work while also passing all her teaching certification tests and acing student teaching. It was a big milestone, and she couldn’t have done it without the constant encouragement of those around her. Through the distance, we both made some amazing new friends—people who became like family and helped us through the tough days. And just as the year started to wrap up, Cody came home, right in time for Melissa’s college graduation! It was the perfect homecoming, and a moment we’ll never forget. We spent the summer traveling, soaking in new experiences, and celebrating all that we had accomplished. We ended the year with a bang, looking back on all the growth, challenges, and love that filled every moment of this crazy ride.

After all of these amazing years, we’ve finally reached this one—the year that feels like a culmination of everything we've worked toward, together. Both of us were carving out our paths and making it all work, one step at a time. And, of course, this year also marks the moment we finally get to celebrate us. After everything we’ve been through—navigating new states, careers, and life transitions—we’re beyond excited to finally have the wedding of our dreams. It’s not just a celebration of our love, but a tribute to the journey we’ve shared and the incredible people who have been there with us along the way. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with all of you and create even more memories to carry into the next chapter of our lives. Here’s to the best year yet—one filled with love, growth, and a little bit of magic.