Mackie and Zach’s story started in a place that felt familiar from the very beginning, a Sunday afternoon at Plaza Mexico, just down the street from Mackie's first childhood home. What began as a simple first date quickly turned into something more, and after a month of getting to know each other, they made it official. At the time, Zach was coaching at Southwest Baptist, and Mackie was running her coffee shop and working in marketing. Life was already full, and Nolan had just turned two but somehow, it all fit together in a way that felt easy and natural for both of them. Not long after they started dating, Mackie invited Zach on a cross-country trip to Disneyland. It was meant to be part work trip, part vacation but it turned into something much more meaningful. Just before they left, Nolan broke his leg, and what could have been a stressful experience became a defining moment. Together, they navigated the unexpected, with Zach making sure Nolan still had the best time possible and supporting Mackie through it all. It was during that trip that they both saw just how strong their partnership could be. Over the next year, their relationship continued to grow as they navigated life side by side talking through future plans, coaching opportunities, and what it would look like to build a life as a family. In February 2025, that future shifted quickly when Zach accepted a coaching opportunity at Illinois State, and just like that, they became Redbirds. The last year and a half as a Redbird family has been full in every sense of the word — full of memories, challenges, and growth. Together, they’ve stretched into new roles and routines: new jobs, Nolan starting preschool, and the excitement of Zach’s team making a run to the national championship. To wrap up the wild year they've had, Zach planned a simple picnic at the park, where he proposed. It was a quiet, meaningful moment, made even more memorable when Nolan’s immediate response was, “Can we just go dino hunting now?” In the in-between moments, their life is made up of the things they love most, taking neighborhood walks, playing with Nolan, chasing dinosaurs, and keeping up with their dogs, Maximus and Bambi. You can usually find them at any sporting event, cheering on the Redbirds, or simply enjoying time together as a family, watching movies and filling the room with all the “Nolan laughs.” Through each season; the transitions, the celebrations, and everything in between- one thing has remained constant. From the very beginning, the love Zach has shown Nolan has been unconditional and unwavering. It is a steady, selfless kind of love that has shaped their family in the best way. Alongside that, Mackie’s resilience, and endless love (for the boys and also a color coded scheduled) have been the heartbeat holding it all together- creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, faith, and unwavering support through every chapter they’ve faced together. They are endlessly grateful for the way their lives came together, at just the right time. The love they have built is one rooted in support, growth, and choosing each other every day. More than anything, it’s the kind of love they hope to continue building for Nolan (and his future siblings, God-willing) strong, present, and full of care and faith. They are also deeply grateful for their family, near and far, who have supported them through every transition over the past few years- the job changes, and all the moments in between. Now, as they look ahead to the next chapter, they are so excited to gather with the people who have been part of their journey and celebrate the life they are building together. Surrounded by soft summer air and the timeless elegance of their porcelain-inspired details, they will say “I do” at The Venue at Sawyers Landing in Fredericktown, Missouri, over Fourth of July weekend in 2027 — a weekend filled with love, laughter, and the beginning of everything still to come.