P & K

After lengthy conversations on "Hinge" about family, outdoor activities, and debating who is the faster skier/snowboarder, we finally met in person at a coffee shop in downtown Grand Rapids. On a Sunday afternoon, we chatted over coffee and played a game of cribbage (Kate obviously won) before agreeing to meet again for drinks later that week. Since our first date at Lantern Coffee Shop, we have made time for a date night every single week over the last 1.5 years. We've shared countless meals, drinks, cups of coffee, deep talks, prayer, and games of cribbage together (Peter now winning every once in a while) and look forward to the many years of dating ahead of us - especially as a married couple.

Through many meals, trips, games, prayers, and long conversations, we determined engagement/marriage was the next step for us and were excited to start planning for our future together. We elected to design a ring together at a local small business in Grand Rapids, which left Peter with the task of finding a way to make the proposal a surprise. After having a second ring made in secret - which is engraved with our initials and our engagement date - we went up north for Peter's 29th birthday weekend with friends, where Peter proposed on the beach in the shadow of Sleeping Bear Dunes on a perfect summer day. Kate's parents were gracious enough to travel down to complete the surprise by waiting for us when we arrived back at Peter's parent's home. It was a beautiful weekend full of good times, family, friends, and happiness, the perfect way to kick off our engagement and life together. Kate claims she knew the proposal was coming and was not surprised (hindsight is 20/20 of course), but feel free to give her a hard time, because she most definitely was :)

As we prepare for this new season of life together, we ask for prayer over our present and future relationship, our growth with God & each other, and the many activities involved as we plan our wedding day. We hope to find peace, encouragement, and faithful growth in a commonly stressful time. It's incredibly important that we spend our wedding day with God, our families, and our friends as we would not be here without these elements.