Rasten-Thomas WEDDING

Mandy worked at a restaurant with her younger brother and Joey's younger sister and the two siblings became close. Mandy and Joey were both single and not really looking for relationships, but the siblings had a feeling they would get along. Mandy wanted nothing to do with "the brother." She was in her hot independent girl era and didn't need a man. One Saturday night Mandy was working behind the bar and the Thomas family came for dinner. At this point, Mandy had no idea what he looked like, but once she laid eyes on him, she quickly changed her mind and told his sister "you can tell him to ask for my number." Many, many, blue moon's later, Joey approached the bar, leaned on one arm and said "I've heard a lot about you." Mandy grinned, gave him her number and went back to work. Neither of them were expecting the immediate connection they had over text, and then, the first date 2 weeks later, solidified the connection… and so it began. They made it official November 27th, 2020. Mandy was finishing her last year of nursing school, and Joey was working on his prerequisites for nursing school. They stayed at their parents houses to save money while in school, thanks mom and dad, and finally got their first place in September 2024. Mandy came as a package deal with her cat Mellow, better known as "mamas." Joey, not a cat person, quickly fell in love and became the best cat dad. Both Joey and Mandy currently work as pediatric cardiac ICU nurses at the same hospital and love getting to work on the same unit together. They got engaged on July 1st, 2025 and can't wait to celebrate their relationship with their favorite people in April 2027.