Alexis and I met during the very first week of my second year of college at Central Michigan University. Through our shared experience of being in music school and being in the saxophone studio together, we quickly became friends. From the beginning, it felt easy to be around each other. The more we shared with each other, the more we discovered how we aligned on our interests, values, and perspectives on life, and before long, we became best friends.

After a few months of an inseparable friendship (during which everyone constantly asked why we weren’t dating yet because of how clearly we were in love), we finally made it official. Over the five and a half years we dated before getting engaged, we grew together in ways we never could have imagined. We helped shape each other’s journey from kids into young adults, learning how to communicate with one another and with the world around us, growing side by side as individuals and as a couple. What began as a friendship between two 18 year old college students blossomed into a partnership rooted in trust, patience, and unwavering support.

Together, we supported each other through countless changes; navigating our way through music school, finding our first real jobs together, moving across the country from Michigan to Texas, and discovering what adult life looks like together. Through every season of life and over the past 7 and a half years, we have always continued to grow together, and I am incredibly thankful for that.

I knew even before we started dating that Alexis was the one for me, and that feeling has never changed. I am so happy that we have built a life grounded in love, encouragement, and the certainty that no matter what comes next, we will face it together.

Wedding Party