Please join us for our wedding virtually at www.livestream.com/terraceballroom

We met when we were both in seventh grade, through the Hudsonville coed water polo program. We both stuck with water sports through the end of middle school and into high school, as well as working together as lifeguards and swim instructors. In the spring of 2013, Jacob’s grandmother passed away, and Hannah kindly offered to cover the shifts that he had scheduled until he could get back to work. She jokingly suggested that she accepted flowers and chocolate as payment; Jacob, not knowing she was joking, decided that he was going to surprise her. Hannah came to work the day that Jacob had returned to find him holding a Hershey’s Cookies and Cream chocolate bar (his favorite) with her name on it. From that moment on, our friendship only grew stronger, and at the end of the summer, we began dating. Since then, our love for each other has stood the test of time; six years together now, and an eternity ahead of us.

In December of 2017, we took a trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, during our winter break, to go see the snow-covered sculptures and spend some time in the beautiful outdoors. On the path through the Japanese Garden, a little wooden bridge crosses in front of a waterfall; when we stopped to marvel at the view and listen to the water, Jacob knew that this was the place he was going to propose. A year went by, and in December 2018, Jacob had the ring in hand and his plans were set; we went on another trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens, this time to see the Christmas Trees of the World exhibit they had going on. After walking through the exhibit, Jacob suggested a walk out towards the Japanese Garden, to try and relive the memories that were made the year prior. After making our way out to the bridge and taking a few photos together, Jacob asked Hannah to turn around and face the waterfall; as she turned, he got down on his knee, and asked her to turn again with a smile on his face and a tear in his eye. Neither of us remember what was said, but it was a moment that will stay in both of our minds for the rest of time.