On August 9th, 2020 we officially said "I do" in front of a small group of local family and friends. Like everyone else, COVID kept us from being able to celebrate with those we love like we really wanted. Now that things are on the road back to normal, we are planning to have a "do-over". On Sunday, January 16th we will be saying "I do" again and celebrating with everyone- complete with ceremony, food, drinks and dancing! We cannot wait to celebrate with each and everyone of you.

It all started with Honduras, bears and an app called Hinge. We were both looking for someone to share the love of Jesus, adventures around the world and laughter. From our first six hour long date to now, we have been inseparable. God knew what He was doing when he dropped us into each other's lives. We are so excited to see what He has in store for us and to share His love with the world.

After our first date, we saw each other five more times that week. Having lunch over Thai food (where one of us spilled a little bit more than the other), we both talked about how we were looking for a partner to walk through life with, sharing both joys and sorrows. We invited each other to start meeting each other's families within that first month, and somehow that didn't scare either of us away (even though our families are both objectively pretty crazy.) Shared holidays, road trips, hikes and exploring nature, many hours in the car, and a missions trip to Guatemala later, there was no doubt left in either of our minds: "This is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with..."

After talking with Megan's parents and receiving their blessing (as well as Megan's great-grandmother's engagement ring that was then overnighted to me from Idaho), I (Ben) was ready. With ring in hand (set using the stone from Megan's great-grandmother's ring), I casually asked Megan if she wanted to go on a picnic up the coast on Leap Year Day (Feb. 29th) after her softball game. She enthusiastically said "Yes!" After a morning spent cheering on her stunt softball team, we packed into the car and drove up PCH towards Leo Carillo State Beach. The afternoon flew by with conversation, silliness, laughter, walks down the beach, climbs on the rocks, and me jumping in the water - Megan was the sane one and decided not to jump in the Pacific in February. As the sun set, I asked Megan to walk with me one more time down the beach, telling her that the last six months have been the best in my life because of her presence. With that, I got down on one knee, a huge grin on my face, pulled out the ring, and asked Megan if she would spend the rest of her life with me as my wife. She restrained herself from answering until I had finished, fell on her knees, and embraced me. After a minute of laughter and giggles, she gently reminded me "Haven't you forgotten something?" I quickly remembered the ring, stopped embracing her, and placed the ring on her finger. And then I got up, yelled "Wa-hoo!", and did a cartwheel... She said "Yes!"

Who knows! Adventure, laughter, and love! (But first we say "I do.") Come and join us as we celebrate each other and the gift that is love, the good God who dropped us into each other's lives, and the family and friends who love us so dearly. We can't wait to celebrate with you.