Our Story Some love stories begin with a chance encounter. Ours began with God’s perfect timing. Starting with a promise in California, Tali’s friend Kellie jokingly declared that when she moved to North Dakota, she would find the perfect man for Tali by October. What began as a lighthearted bet turned into months of anticipation, laughter, and unexpected timing, as life quietly began aligning in ways none of us could have planned. After moving to North Dakota, Kellie began dating Drew, one of Zack’s close friends. Through their conversations, both Kellie and Drew became convinced that Zack and Tali would be a perfect match. They spoke often about each of us, yet somehow never exchanged our contact information. That all changed on New Year’s Eve. Tali hosted Kellie, Drew, and a friend for the evening, and the conversation eventually turned to the “mystery man” everyone kept mentioning. Jokingly, Tali pointed out that he must not even exist since she didn’t know his name. To finally settle it, they called Zack right then and there and made the introduction. After a few laughs and a memorable first introduction, Zack reached out the very next day. What started as a simple conversation quickly turned into something much deeper. From the beginning, talking to each other felt effortless. Hours would pass without us realizing it as we shared stories, dreams, faith, and laughter. Even with hundreds of miles between us, there was a comfort and familiarity that made the distance feel small. Soon, we both found ourselves looking forward to every message, every call, and every moment to know each other more. In February 2026, we met in person for the first time in North Dakota. There was a mix of nerves and excitement, but being together felt just as natural as everything we had shared before. On Valentine’s Day, Zack asked Tali to be his girlfriend, marking the beginning of a relationship built on faith, friendship, trust, and love. The months that followed were filled with flights, road trips, and countless hours on the phone. Long distance wasn’t always easy, but it taught us to be intentional and grateful for every moment together. Through every mile, our love grew stronger, and we became each other’s best friend, greatest support, and favorite person to do life with. One of the things Tali loves most about Zack is his unwavering kindness, his faith, and the joy he brings into every day. One of the things Zack loves most about Tali is her loving heart, her strength, and the warmth she carries into every room. Together, we discovered that the greatest blessing isn’t just finding someone to love, but finding someone who helps you grow into who God is calling you to be. In May 2026, Zack traveled to Virginia and asked Tali’s mother for her blessing. A few days later, in a beautiful garden surrounded by God’s creation, he got down on one knee and asked the question that would begin forever. In that moment, looking into each other’s eyes, the answer was simple. Yes. Today, we are filled with gratitude for the journey that brought us together and for the love God has so faithfully grown between us. We are beyond excited to begin this next chapter as husband and wife, and so thankful to celebrate it with the people we love most. "He has made everything beautiful in its time." — Ecclesiastes 3:11