Meghan and I went to church together in middle school at Woodridge before my family moved to the sister church in Delano, but somehow, neither of us remember each other at all. It wouldn't be for over another decade until we would cross paths again, as youth group leaders from those sister churches during a winter retreat. Our encounter was brief, but it left a lasting impression on me. I was struck by Meghan’s drive, commitment—who else trains for a marathon outside in February?—and her deep love for Jesus! It wasn’t until late August 2023 that I reconnected with Meghan. After I initially reached out, we spent several weeks intentionally getting to know each other, and then I took her on our first date (church and Peg's Countryside Cafe). We went on our second date the following week, and that's when I knew I wanted to marry Meghan. By October, our connection had deepened, and we began dating. We made it our aim to found our relationship on Christ, honesty, and intentionality. In March, we went on a cruise with my family that took an unexpected turn when the ship caught on fire in the middle of the ocean. As we faced the uncertainty of the situation, we realized that if we were to face any challenge together, we wanted it to be as a married couple. In May 2024, Meghan and I took two significant steps forward. I asked Meghan to marry me, and we closed on our first home together. These decisions were not made lightly but were guided by God’s grace, wisdom, and the invaluable counsel of the many loved ones who will join us at our wedding in December. We look forward to our life together as husband and wife, but first, we cannot wait to celebrate with you all on December 1st. Thank you for the prayers, the love, and and support you've provided in both of our lives!