Hey Hey, it's Jo here! So glad you stopped by! If you're here you're probably wondering how this all started, huh? Let me take ya back NINE years. **Cue the rewind moooosic!** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Remember those awkward middle school days? You know... the days where M.A.S.H depicted your future, sparkly lip gloss was in and Ocean Avenue was on repeat?? Who knew those were the days I'd meet my very best friend and husband-to-be!? I guess those were the match-making' days. :) I met Wayne back in the 8th grade. We had homeroom together the ENTIRE year and we didn't even notice each other until our end-of-the-year field trip to Charleston. Something about those dreamy Charleston streets, oak trees and golden light, ammmmirigght?! He was goofy, cute and had the shaggy hair look down pat. Bieber had nothing on him (and still doesn't). Shortly after the field trip, Wayne asked me to be his girlfriend and his date to the middle school formal. nbd. He wore a blue sports coat that night and I wore a sparkly blue dress and we danced the night away--arm length apart, of course!! Kanye West's "Stronger" and T.I's "Dead and Gone" blasted in the cafeteria and the whole grade sang along and busted out their best moves. After dancing' the night away, we shared our first kiss (just a peck, mom). I found out later that he asked all my friends to make sure it was okay for him to kiss me. WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL BOY DOES THAT!? ugh. He's been so different even from the beginning. and the rest is history. photo by: Kelsey Butcher // https://www.kelseybutcherphoto.com //

Here is a glimpse into my favorite day! Boone Hall was one of the places we visited in Charleston on our 8th-grade trip. Ever since then I have been mesmerized by the oak-lined road leading up to the home. If you know anything about me, you know that I am OBSESSED with oak trees. There’s something about their massive moss-draped branches and the way they glow and gleam when the sun hits them... all the heart eyes for this! We had just driven into beautiful South Carolina. We headed straight to our Airbnb to get dressed in our nicest clothes to take pictures among the oaks. The Sun was lowering behind the trees and the light was golden. Little did I know Wayne was about to ask me the easiest question. We set up my camera on a tripod in middle of the oak avenue switched it to video mode. We started walking together down the oak-lined road, hand-in-hand. He stopped and took both my hands and looked me in the eyes. He looked around us in awe and back at me and slowly said "this is perfect". The moment felt so genuine--our arms swinging and teeeeeef showing. When Wayne got down on one knee he took out a sweetheart candy that read "Marry Me"--a little piece of a day we spent dreaming about our future. He kept for years (3 to be exact). He handed it to me and my jaw dropped. I knew instantly what was coming!! He pulled out a little black box, looked at me with love and asked me to spend the rest of my days with him. To describe the feeling in my heart in those moments-- AHH. I could unpack it for days. I couldn't even believe this moment was happening! I was jumping up and down, my hands over my mouth, my smile big and eyes gleaming with joy. I did this for about 2 WHOLE minutes and realized I hadn't even said "YES" because my heart was overcome with so much joy! His smile was so big the whole time as he watched me respond to his question. It was the easiest "YES" that I ever did breathe! What a moment. I'll treasure it forever.

Jesus. Do ya know Him? He's pretty spectacular. Actually, the most spectacular being to ever walk this earth. ever. Our hope is found in Him. Our mission for our marriage is to reflect Jesus, and be a living picture of how Jesus loves His church. Our heart for our marriage is to have purpose and impact that outshines our earthy life. Thank you so much for cheering us on. Love you all. Jo & Wayne