- - - Celebrating Forever - - - Our Journey to ‘I Do’ Starts Here!

After a long day of work in November 2021, while traveling for business, we found ourselves at the lounge of the Marriott Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The atmosphere was relaxed, with a soft buzz of conversation and the clink of glasses in the background. It was there that Darryl met Jon and his ‘work wife’, Jordyn. The three of us quickly struck up a casual conversation, sharing laughter and stories about our travels and the day’s events. As we chatted about architecture, business, construction, and healthcare, it became clear that we shared more than just professional interests; a deeper connection was forming, one that would prove to be lasting. As one would expect, our fast-paced lives continued, yet we stayed connected over social media and text messages, as we all planned to reconnect on one of our future business trips in Tulsa. It was only a few weeks after Jon’s life was unimaginably turned upside down when Jeff, his loving husband of ten years, was suddenly diagnosed with stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer. As if this wasn’t enough, a couple of weeks after Jeffs diagnosis, their newly renovated home suddenly caught fire. Jon, Jeff, and Norman (the infamous pup) barely escaped the nearly destroyed house. With a feeling of hopelessness, Darryl reached out every day to check in and let them know he was thinking of them and, of course, to give Jon a shoulder to lean on during the most challenging time of his life. Shortly after the fire, they had found a temporary home to where Jon provided hospice care for Jeff as his health continued to decline until he succumbed to his illness in early March, only sixty-eight days after diagnosis. Understandably, as Jon grieved, our daily messages became few and far between. This resonated with Darryl as our paths crossed for a reason: to offer support through an unimaginably tough time, cementing the power of compassion and friendship. Life is an unpredictable journey. A few months later, Jon reached out to Darryl, to apologize for the distance and to express his appreciation for the compassion that Darryl showed during what he admitted was the most difficult time he had ever experienced. In true Darryl fashion, he offered more than just help to rebuild Jon's home, he offered unwavering support and a shoulder to lean on, using his incredible architectural and design skills to bring comfort and beauty to Jon's life. What began as a professional exchange soon blossomed into something much more profound: a loyal friendship built with a deep bond with compassion, shared interests, and mutual respect that grew stronger daily. It soon became evident that meeting one another was no accident, and our instant friendship unexpectedly developed into a soulful love so deep we struggle to find words to describe. Our love, born from friendship and nurtured through adversity, is a testament to the power of human connection. F. Scott Fitzgerald said it best: “There are many kinds of love in the world, but no two are ever the same.” Through it all, we will never forget Jon and Jeff's love. Not only has Darryl strived to support Jon through the roughest times in life, but he also loves to spoil Norman with endless love, kisses, and, of course, lots of treats! Our story highlights that life is a beautiful tragedy, and in the end, all that truly matters is connection. As we prepare to celebrate our wedding on April 26, 2025, our hearts are full, knowing that our journey has solidified an unbreakable bond and represents the incredible power of love. We are excited to step into this next chapter with each of you, filled with the care and support that has been the foundation of our path forward.