We were 13 going through confirmation at church. Jacob’s family had just moved (back) to Texas from Ohio.
On a mission trip to Illinois, Jacob, Hannah (Jacob’s sister), and Emilie quickly bonded. The three amigos went on to spend most Sundays after church at the Moenickheim house where they wrote, produced, acted, directed, and funded an art nouveau exploratory character study into a multi-vocational, allergen afflicted, erudite new-age thinker: Ron Bitsey.
In late 2021, we reconnected after years apart for college and graduate school. Our friendship quickly resumed and one thing slowly led to another. Jacob proposed May 25th, 2024 and we celebrated with one hell of a (consolidated) party with local friends and family.
November 28, 2024 — just 6 months after our proposal — we surprised our families at the Thanksgiving dinner table by having Peter (Jacob’s father) initiate a surprise wedding disguised as his regular holiday toast. Many (happy) tears were shed, many hugs were had, and many dollars were saved on insurance for the next year. And now we get to more formally celebrate with you all!! The ones we love the most!!