We met as Peace Corps Volunteers in Rwanda in 2015. Shortly after arriving in Rwanda, Nicole texted her best friend, Mary Elizabeth, to say that she thought she had met her future husband. She was right! Our first year together as a couple consisted of traveling across the country to visit whenever possible, and bonding over the unique experiences of living as a foreigner in a village in Rwanda.

Dating in Rwanda was a little different than back home, and it took a couple of months before we were able to go out together. We went on our first official date in November of 2016 at a beautiful garden restaurant in Kigali.

Jack prepared a lovely picnic for us to share in downtown Naperville. We rode our bikes to a park by the river, picked a spot between two trees, settled in, and Jack pulled out the ring right away. It was an easy yes :)

We have been through a lot and have grown so much over the last six years. From our first days together in Rwanda to graduate school, demanding jobs, and most recently losing Nicole's dad, Art, in February, we have found comfort, support, and love through and with one another. We are looking forward to sharing a lifetime of memories together and officially becoming husband and wife as part of that journey.