Jon and Amanda's love story began back in 2008. Jon was introduced to Amanda through a mutual friend. Amanda remembers him being quite shy at first, barely making any attempt at conversation. She didn't think he was initially interested, but after a few hangouts and rides in his silver Jetta, it was obvious they both liked each other.

Jon asked Amanda to be his girlfriend on November 1, 2008 (see bottom left photo). Jon remembers thinking- this is the best day of my life. Little did he know then that this was the girl he would be marrying one day.

Their relationship became serious pretty quickly. Amanda knew she was in love with him. She had never met someone like Jon before. They talked about their future together and their dreams. They were only 17 at the time, but they somehow knew they would be together forever.

When they went off to college, they struggled maintaining a long-distance relationship. Jon and Amanda both realized despite loving each other they needed time apart to find themselves and experience college life. They dated on and off again for years, never managing to sever ties completely. At the end of the day, they truly were great friends.

Throughout their 20s, they tried being just friends (which never worked) and then tried dating a few dozen times. It wasn't until 2022 that they reconnected (after a long hiatus), and they truly knew that they wanted to be together again (yes, again!). Jon and Amanda both had so many life experiences at this point. They grew up and became the best versions of themselves. They realized, and maybe they had always known, that they had found someone special all those years ago. They always found their way back to each other, time and time again.

After they started dating in the fall of 2022, their relationship blossomed. Jon moved into Amanda's condo in the spring of 2023, where they truly became a family with their two fur babies, Cooper and Vaca. Living together was everything they had hoped it would be. The next step was engagement. Amanda continuously dropped hints and pestered Jon about it. Meanwhile, Jon had a plan already in the works.

Jon surprised Amanda with the sweetest proposal on April 10, 2024. He decorated the gazebo in Lyon Park with hundreds of "Marry Me?" notes, flower petals, and customized Funko Pops (Cooper and Vaca included). Amanda realized something was happening when she heard their high school song "Freedom to Love" blasting through the park. Jon walked her up the stairs, got down on one knee, and pulled out a ring pop (in true Jon fashion). Moments later, he opened the actual ring box, which took Amanda's breath away. It was the easiest "YES" of her life.

And now, their story continues... they can't wait to start their next chapter in life together.

A&J

Our Wedding Day