Sam invited Daniel on Rocky Bluff Trail for a hike at sunset. Rocky Bluff Trail is one of their favorite trails in Southern Illinois. It's a long, hilly, and circular hike. It has all the best wildflowers. At the end, you're surprised by a waterfall that you unknowingly pass at the very beginning. This evening Daniel and their dog, Maybelle, met Sam at the trailhead after work. They went on their usual hike-passing over the top of the waterfall, winding through the woods, finding ferns and mushrooms along the way. Daniel kept stopping to gush over the mushrooms as Sam tried to hurry him along before it got dark. They finally reached a cove toward the end of the trail and Sam asked Daniel to trek back into it. Daniel led the way. He started to see lights and worried that there were people camping back in the cove. He wanted to turn back, but Sam persisted. Daniel saw a large handmade banner with a little skeleton next to it holding a rainbow bouquet. "Marry Me?" He reads the sign placed in the cove. Confused, he turned around and Sam was holding his grandfather's wedding ring. In a bit of shock, Daniel realized Sam's intentions and excitedly agreed to marry him on this evening in November.

A month after the proposal, Daniel and Sam got married on Indian Creek Trail in Giant City State Park. This trail is short, circular, and fairly flat with a small bluff halfway into the hike. They brought their dog, Maybelle, invited their parents- William & Christine Mattingly and Douglas & Beth Perry- and a friend- Tammy Gwaltney- as their officiant. On this crisp day in December, it started snowing and the small group hiked to the bluff. In a short and meaningful ceremony on the bluff, Daniel and Sam committed the rest of their lives to each other with their parents' blessings. However, they always wanted to share their love with the rest of their family and friends. Now that they have established their lives in Southern Illinois and the pandemic is over, they invite you to join them in celebrating this union at The Wedding Barn at Black Jack Vineyards on September 28th, 2024. Looking forward to seeing you there!