I wouldn’t say our story began with a “love at first sight” moment. In all honesty, we didn’t even really like each other or acknowledge each other‘s existence for about two years. As a freshman in college, I was sure of two things: people never change, and I would date and marry someone taller than myself. The Lord surely has a sense of humor. I am glad He does. When I first met JohnMark, he was a bit of a punk - long hair, beat up car, and a guy who walked around with an angry look on his face. Classic skater boy vibes. He was a bit rough around the edges and unpredictable. And if anyone knows me, I am big on predictability. I simply didn’t understand him, and he simply didn’t understand me. If you had told us we would later marry, we would have both laughed. Over the years, I saw JohnMark transform from a hard person into someone who was approachable and caring. Someone who has an unwavering love for his God and a deep understanding of what it means to love. By my senior year and his junior year, we had become best friends. This friendship only continued to grow stronger after I graduated, and he started his senior year. I still wasn’t looking for anything, as I was focused on work and completing my MBA. Through it all, JM continued to be a consistent encourager and listening ear. Then one day while we were returning from enjoying a sunset on Raccoon Mountain (totally something friends do), JohnMark looked at me while driving and confidently said, “Can I be honest with you? I like you!” JM, I am so glad you were honest with me that day. Thank you for all the sweet memories, beach trips, ski fails, longboard rides, and 5am workouts. I just simply wouldn't change a thing. I can’t wait to be your wife!

When I first met Rachel, I must admit, I was a punk. For the first time ever, I had grown my hair long (too long), exhibited a very short fuse, drove a black Grand Cherokee, and donned a barbed exterior. In the beginning, the majority of the time spent with Rachel was kicking shoddy corners into the box or aggressively resetting the ball to deliver again. Mostly, I felt guilty subjecting her to the "cringe" of my high school senior and college freshman years. To be honest, our relationship started from what appeared to be ashes. I first noticed Rachel “Slay“ Lemay as the powerhouse she is, as I watched her from the sidelines. I mean come on… she was a keeper! Her presence in the box, her knowledge of the game, her physical and spiritual sacrifice on and off the field, were all aspects of my attraction and respect for her over the years. As we grew closer, I could further see the work of the Lord in her life and longed for the opportunity to continue our relationship. As her assistant coach and coworker, Rachel and I were able to serve together side-by-side through her first year of coaching and my senior year of college. What a joy it was to join her each day on the same sideline from which I grew to admire her. It is no secret that her heart for the Lord is demonstrated through her hands and words. The only true secret was that I wanted to be part of it. My love for Rachel has spanned kidney stones while traveling to Raleigh, saltwater crocs in the waves of Costa Rica, daunting jigsaw puzzles and seasons of The Amazing Race amid the pandemic shut-down, countless attempts at the impossible game, crushing defeats and soaring victories on the soccer field, brutal games of Mexican train dominoes, and the most recent: jaw surgery and facial reconstruction. Honestly, I can hardly wait for all the future adventures to come alongside my best friend and wife.