We're getting married!

"Our romance started like many modern couples, online. Although Jennifer lived two and a half hours north, she checked so many boxes I was looking for. I decided it was worth taking a chance despite the distance. When we began talking, I was struck by how beautiful she was. She was also very comfortable to talk to, and I could tell how genuine and kind she was. As a park ranger, of course I planned our first in person date at Henry Cowell State Park where we got to know each other by the light of a camp fire. We did not have everything in common: she came from a family with all girls and was living in the busy Bay Area, and I came from a family with all boys and lived on the sleepy Central Coast. However, our foundational values and dreams for the future were very much aligned. I left our first date very excited and we began talking daily and spending every weekend together. Early on it was clear that our shared faith in Jesus was important to both of us and we wanted to build our relationship on Him. Our weekends have been filled attending each others churches, visiting Jen's favorite place (the beach), cooking together, spending time with family/friends, and going on adventures. We have learned about each other and from each other as we've grown closer. Jen has enlisted me as her special sous-chef while creating holiday treat bags for our entire ranger staff! She has accompanied me on adventures to Yosemite and Zion including ice skating with Half Dome in the backdrop. We have learned to trust and lean on each other through the ups and downs we have experienced together so far. I fell in love with Jennifer's beautiful heart seeing and experiencing how sweet and giving she is. I can't wait to start married life with Jennifer. I know we are so much better together."