we can't wait to celebrate with you

In September of 2017, Nate and Jack matched on Tinder and began messaging, getting to know one another, and quickly learned they lived a very short distance apart. They arranged the first date and decided a nearby Starbucks was the perfect neutral location. Nate was the first to show up. He had taken time to thoughtfully consider what he would wear and arrived early to wait for Jack in his car patiently. Jack soon arrived at the coffee shop. He ordered his coffee and sat down at a corner table. Nate had spotted Jack arriving, and although Jack matched his pictures, he did not share Nate’s thoughtful consideration of what to wear on a first date. In contrast, Nate wore nice dress jeans, a pressed shirt, and dress shoes. Jack arrived in old Birkenstocks, an old worn-out soccer jersey, and stained sweatpants. Since first impressions matter, Nate had thought about leaving for a quick moment but decided to be vulnerable. Nate apprehensively went into the coffee shop, ordered his coffee, and found Jack at the corner table. The conversation was slow at first, but soon it began to flow openly. They talked about everything, their families, their rescue pups, work; there wasn’t a topic off-limits. Their coffee date went so well they decided Jemma and Tebow needed to meet. They both went their separate ways and met at the dog park later. Tebow and Jemma played in the park, chasing each other, while Nate and Jack picked right up where the conversation left off. Things continued to go so well at the park that they decided to meet at a bar later that night for a drink and karaoke. Since that first date, they have learned to never judge a book by its cover or a person by their stained sweatpants. Since then, the two have shared countless memories with friends and family. In October 2020, they purchased their first home together, and the old Birkenstocks, soccer jerseys, and stained sweatpants have been laid to rest.

On a sunset tiki cruise in Destin, FL, Nate proposed to Jack with a few friends and family in attendance. Once the tiki cruise had made its way to crab island and anchored, Nate pretended to take a picture with Jack as the sun slowly sank into the ocean. The Captain played Jason Mraz's song "I won't give up." A song that has special meaning to both Nate and Jack and was the first song that Jack sang to Nate. At the perfect moment, when the sun began to sink into the ocean, Nate took out the ring from his pocket. He got down to one knee and attempted to recite his prepared speech. However, all he got out was, "Will you marry me?". Unfortunately, Jack did not hear it and asked, "What was that?" to which Nate responded, "Do you want to do this thing?" It was an emotional proposal filled with lots of laughter and love.