Welcome to our wedding website! We're so excited to share the details of our upcoming celebration and, more importantly, the story of us. It's a tale of chance encounters, shared laughter, and two paths merging into one. As we prepare to embark on our greatest adventure yet—marriage—we invite you to take a step back in time with us, to where it all began. Swipe Right! Richard & Maria met at the wake of the Covid Pandemic in April 2020. Their first date transpired from a bet that Maria won playing Richard in an iPhone game. The bet was that the pair would watch a movie at their homes while chatting back and forth as a "Covid date." Maria chose for the two of them to watch a classic movie, "Brown Sugar.” However, about 30 minutes into the movie they both discovered Richard was watching, "Love Jones!" The wrong movie! The two had a mutual laugh about the mishap. That moment was the icebreaker to Maria and Richard's blossoming friendship. With the world on shut down, the two decided to make the best of the situation and get creative with date ideas! Many dates included hiking throughout Kentucky and Indiana, picnics, long walks along the Louisville Waterfront, and cooking together. Maria & Richard discovered they are both vegetarians, love documentaries, museums, traveling, and all of the little things that make life worth living. They knew the friendship that was beginning to form was rare. There was an instant connection, a spark that couldn't be ignored. What started as a chance encounter grew into endless conversations, shared dreams, and adventures both big and small. Each day, they learned more about each other, and found love and companionship. The two fell in love over the course of their three year courtship. Richard asked for Maria's hand in marriage during a surprise birthday trip to Nashville, TN in November of 2023. As we prepare to turn the page to this new chapter in our lives, we are filled with gratitude and excitement. Our wedding is not just a celebration of love, but a tribute to every moment, every laugh, and every challenge that has brought us to where we are today. We invite you to celebrate the beginning of our lifelong adventure in marriage, surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends. #RowlandForever2024