Derek and Addi first met online, while Addi was in Oklahoma City visiting family for Christmas. Their conversation quickly took off, and Derek asked Addi out on a date. On December 27th, they met for lunch halfway between Wichita and Oklahoma City. Their lunch date turned into a walk at the local botanical gardens, and then the next day they met for Mass.


They instantly connected on many levels, from their Catholic faith, their mutual admiration of C.S. Lewis, and their heart for serving others. The overwhelming sense that they both felt about one another was, peace.


Over the next two months, Addi returned to Texas to continue work at a pregnancy resource center and Derek went to Kenya, to serve on a medical missions trip. Over those two months, they had many long conversations, talking about their favorite books, thoughts on life, and sharing stories from their day, each conversation lasted for hours.


While Derek was in Kenya, Addi had a job opportunity open up in Wichita, a place she had been looking to relocate since before meeting Derek. After discerning all aspects of a potential move, and praying over it with Derek, Addi packed up her car and moved to Kansas!


Since their distance has come to a close, their discernment towards marriage only solidified. On March 6th, 2023 Derek got down on one knee and asked Addi to be his bride.


God has blessed us abundantly to have met each other, and made everything fall into place perfectly. We cannot wait to celebrate with our parents, family and friends!


Derek + Addi