There are 2 sides to every story. We shall endeavor to provide you with both. Mark: I remember meeting Serena on Oct 30th, 2021, at Community Presbyterian Church's Harvest Feast. I had visited the church a handful of times before, but to my recollection, our paths hadn't crossed. I noticed Serena talking to another friend and decided to join them. While engaging in conversation on several subjects, ranging from vintage clothing to what else I can't recall, my curiosity was aroused. I was struck by the depth of knowledge and taste I've seldom encountered. When I had to leave, I asked for her contact information, ostensibly to invite her to my church's Yuletide Ball in December, though the thoughts of continued communication were on my mind. Unfortunately she was not able to make it, but we had sporadic correspondence until around May of 2022, when she came to a living history timeline event in Cincinnati, and we enjoyed several long conversations again on a variety of topics. In those discussions she had managed to meet several of my mental checkboxes, and I decided that this was worth pursuing on a larger scale. After a few more intentional visits down to Louisville, we started a weekly phone call. The rest has brought us to this, at times, surreal moment. Serena: The first time I heard of Mark I was working several states away and my mother sent me a picture of "someone I just had to meet" at church. It was Mark and one of his good friends who were visiting CPC, both wearing vintage suits. Thus began the theme of every church friend who had met both of us saying "you two should get together!" Upon finally meeting Mark at the aforementioned Harvest Feast I was thrilled to discover the tales of his sartorial splendor had not been exaggerated. After talking with him I was impressed with his historical knowledge base, down-to-earth perspective, servant's heart, and, of course, taste in fashion! Seldom had I met someone whose sensibilities and values so closely matched mine. Obviously, my interest was piqued. Over the next six months, while we didn't talk often, we both made an effort to go to the same social events where we could learn more and spend time together among friends. Among other things I learned Mark could dance, talk at length about various fiber-related techniques, and loved P.G. Wodehouse. The rest, as they say, is history.

Mark: The proposal wasn't quite how either of us expected. I had great hopes of an unconventional proposal in which I would simply hand her the ring during the announcement portion of the church service. Unfortunately, the ring was not complete, and both of us were anxious to begin realistically planning for the wedding and our life after. I also had not had an opportunity to ask for her father's blessing and, under great restraint, resisted the temptation to pop the question. I made the decision to not wait any longer, and arranged to meet with Ted and ask for his blessing. We went to a coffee shop after church, under the guise of running an errand, and he asked several questions, to which I must have given him satisfactory answers, for the blessing was forthcoming. We then went back to their home, took the requisite Sunday afternoon naps and waited for other family members to arrive. Later, Serena was describing to her sister our reasons for needing a larger living space after we got married. We both want children, and would rather live in one location for multiple years. I then saw my chance, and piped up, "Speaking of which, will you marry me?". Serena proceeded to stutter and make noises of indecision, as if going back and forth between asking herself "yes, but figuratively or literally?". After some hesitation she replied, "Yes, but wait are we really doing this right now"? To which I responded, "Yeah, right now." Serena's sister then proceeded to add her boisterous exclamations to the tumult that followed, scolding me that I would not be getting off that easily. I was instructed by the Marine Corps drill Sargeant to get down on one knee and ask properly. So then with cameras out recording, and the 3D render of the ring displaying on my phone screen, I formally asked Serena to do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage.