His story:

It all began in the most unexpected place: a volleyball game. The sun was setting over the court at Three Oaks park, casting a golden glow over the sand as we rallied back and forth. I had joined a group of friends for a pick up game to do something I loved again, but I never anticipated meeting her—Emily. She stood out not just because of her athleticism or the way her laugh seemed to echo in the air, but because she had this energy, this spark that made everything else fade away.

We were strangers at first, but we quickly fell into sync on the court, laughing and teasing each other between serves and spikes. When I we would say good game and high five each other, Emily would hold my hand a little longer than anyone else. She had this way of making even a clumsy moment feel like a new adventure, and from that point on, I couldn’t get her out of my head.

The days that followed were filled with spontaneous adventures—hiking, swimming in rivers, and finding cozy spots to watch the sun set together. It was as if we were meant to discover the world side by side. Every place we visited seemed more beautiful with her by my side—whether we were sipping coffee in Chicago, or exploring ancient ruins in Italy, Emily turned everything into a memory I’d never forget.

But it was in Italy, during a trip to the Amalfi Coast, that I knew without a doubt she was the one. We had spent the day wandering through the narrow streets of Forio, the sea breeze ruffling our hair, and the world around us seemed to disappear as we sat in thermal pools all day. We went back the hotel for dinner on the roof and to watch the sunset over the little white church in the distance. The sun was setting, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and as I looked at Emily, everything felt like it was falling perfectly into place.

It was there, amid the beauty of that moment, that I asked her to marry me. Her eyes filled with tears of surprise and joy as she said yes, and I knew our journey together had only just begun.

Now, as we prepare for our wedding on April 27, 2025, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest person alive. Our story is one of laughter, adventure, and deep, unshakable love. From volleyball games in the wild to travels across the globe, and now to the beginning of our forever, I wouldn’t want to share my life with anyone else but Emily.

Her Story:

So here's the thing... One day when I was playing pick up beach volleyball, I noticed there was a new guy that wanted to play with our group. There was something about him that just seemed familiar, and no, it wasn't because he looked exactly like McLovin. When starting the game, we were on opposite teams directly across the volleyball net from one another and I heard him say "You're going down." with a coy smile and I was hooked. Weeks passed and I looked forward to seeing him twice a week where we not only played a sport I loved, but also engaged in playful and excited trash talk. After becoming rather impatient with our prolonged lingering glances at the net I finally said, "Where's your phone? I know you've been wanting my number for a while".

And the rest is history.