Our families have been really good friends for as long as both of us can remember, but we are the perfect example of two people who knew of each other but didn't actually know each other. Although we reconnected to a degree through family get-togethers and serving in Royal Family Kids Camp, we still didn't really know each other until we began intentionally getting to know one another during the summer of 2023. Looking back, we began our relationship on a hilariously awkward note that pretty much sums up both of our personalities . . . But once we established that we were both hopelessly awkward people, our friendship grew in leaps and bounds as we met on Saturdays during the summer to go through a book on Biblical friendship together, finding that we had many things in common besides our social awkwardness.

One of Clay's favorite sayings is, "Being with you doing absolutely nothing means absolutely everything to me." This sums it up pretty well - we just enjoy doing things together. However, some activities we enjoy include Lord of the Rings marathons, movie nights, going through books together, going on drives or walks, hanging out with family, going to Noodle House, or anything that includes a cup of coffee ;)

Jade will graduate from Central Community College in December before the wedding with her Associate of Arts degree. She will be working as a para in Columbus while Clay is student teaching at Central City High School, finishing out the last semester of his Bachelor of Science, Skilled and Technical Sciences Education degree. During this time, we will be living in an apartment in Central City. After the summer is over, we are planning to move to Wayne so that Jade can finish her Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education degree.