David and Emma both worked at Under Armour in Woodburn. They had both worked there for a couple years before really noticing each other. This was largely because of Emma having to work full time at Leona's (her mother's Bakery & Café) and David's football schedule. But then, on Black Friday 2018, David got assigned to work with Emma. They had 6-ish hours of working directly together through the middle of the night. When Emma clocked off for the day, she opened up Instagram to see a message from David. From then on they were inseparable. David asked Emma out to a movie and ice cream on December 1st. They went to see the new Grinch movie, and then planned to go to ice cream, but that didn't happen. They ended up spending 5 hours sitting in the parking lot talking. They talked 3 more hours in Emma's driveway and then their 11 hour date ended. Then CURVEBALL, Emma was leaving for 3 months in Germany 2 weeks later. This abrupt departure actually turned out to be quite the blessing. David took Emma out a few more times, they met the families, and then Emma was off. It didn't take long after he dropped her off, before David was looking at plane tickets to visit Emma in Germany. Every morning (Germany time) David called and woke Emma up with a FaceTime, and just about every night (Oregon time) Emma would call David to say goodnight. In January, David was looking at plane tickets and decided to go for it! He expedited a passport and got on a plane in February bound for Emma. Emma was so excited she could hardly stand it. David met Emma's German family (they all liked him, good sign), explored some of Emma's favorite Tübingen spots, and ate amazing food. What an eventful first 3 months of their relationship!

Valentine's Day holds a special place in both of their hearts. For their first Valentine's Day together in 2019, since David was already in Germany, they boarded a train for Paris! They had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, toured the sights, and wandered the streets late into the night. They were only there for a little over 24 hours, but it was well worth it. It seemed like there was no way they could have topped their first Valentine's Day together, but David had other plans. David whisked Emma off to a beautiful vineyard in Hood River for the weekend. After an adventurous and snowy drive over Mt. Hood, they made it to the Airbnb. Soon after, David asked Emma to go on a walk and explore the vineyard, then under the veranda with an impeccable view of the Gorge he asked Emma to turn around for a photo like the one in Paris. Once Emma turned around, she could hear the Airbnb owners dogs jumping on David, and she knew. She turned around to see David down on one knee, and well, you know the rest of this story.

Here’s to all the 2020 couples! What a year that was for weddings, or rather the lack of traditional weddings. David and Emma wanted more than anything to be married and begin their life together, even if there was a global pandemic. With careful and sorrowful deliberation, the couple decided that it would not be safe or possible to be surrounded by everyone they love on the day that they exchanged vows, rings and their hearts. Emma’s grandmother, Virginia Yoder, has a large property in Yoder, OR near Molalla. On her property is a beautiful wooded area that her family often used for picnics, camping and playing. God made the way possible for the couple to be wedded in His beautiful creation and in such a special place. David and Emma had an absolutely amazing ceremony in the presence of the Holy Spirit, as they were united as one with Him. After the ceremony, the two families played some yard games and finished off with David and Emma’s favorite meal, Chick-Fil-A. Although the couple had a beautiful elopement ceremony, it still didn’t feel right to not get to celebrate their nuptials with you!