Bridal shower

Wedding Day

Matilda's Event Barn

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

Faith and Eli met through a mutual friend who explained that he thought they were perfect for each other. They ended up exchanging contact information and hit it off very well. Faith and Eli had their first meeting at Skyzone trampoline park. It was the perfect place for a casual meetup to get things started. The moment Eli looked into Faith's eyes, he was head over heels for her. He was essentially speechless in regards to her beauty. It wasn't only her beauty that attracted him, but her strength and confidence in herself also. Despite Eli being petrified about speaking to a girl, Faith fell for his dreamy eyes. Through the awkwardness of silence and attempting to find conversation Faith and Eli managed to keep the spark alive as they went home. A few days later Faith went to Eli's house to meet the parents.

First Meeting

About a month into their relationship Faith attended the first of many wrestling meets. The meet was Academy Duals in Bloomington, Indiana. Upon entering Faith spotted Eli laying across two guys' laps. Little did she know what significance the one would hold as four years later he will be standing by Eli supporting him on the wedding day. Upon the first bout of the day Faith got a taste of the stress dating a wrestler would entail. The nerves, the bodies ending up in odd positions, and much more that comes with wrestling. Within a few hours it was over and Eli explained every match in depth and attempted to explain the rules again.

First Wrestling Meet

After the first wrestling season was coming to a close, one task was left at hand, Indiana Wrestling State Finals. Eli had worked hard to be named number 1 in the state. Friday night went off without a hitch with Eli winning. Saturday morning started off with Eli being flipped to his back giving everyone, including Faith, a major heart attack. He fought back and came out with a win. Next up was the semi finals. He had a competitor from Greenfield central, Eli fell just short in the last few seconds. In the end Eli placed 3rd but this gave him even more drive for the next season. One thing made this accomplishment sweeter than the rest, Faith was by his side.

State Tournament (Junior Year)

Just like any other senior, Eli was looking into his future, craving that first place title. Starting with sectionals, the state series began and before they knew it the state finals was upon them. Faiths anxiety rose with every second of every match. Eli was wrestling a wrestler from Cathedral in the semi finals. As the match went on Faith became more and more nervous because of  the reminder of last year where  Eli had fell just short of his goal. This year that title was Elis to win. The semis went by with the blink of an eye, Eli was going for first place. In between the wrestling sessions, Faith and Elis families went to Five guys and Faith ate one bite and about puked because her anxiety was so bad. As the finals began, Faith started counting matches left, 106, 113, 120... until Eli was up. Everyone from Mater Dei rose to their feet to cheer on Eli. First period, Eli was up but it was far from over. In the second period, there was a good gap in score with Eli winning. In the third period, Faith thought her heart was going to explode from her chest. BUZZ!!! Eli did it, he won. Faith began almost crying and hugging everyone. Right after awards, Faith patiently waited for Eli. As soon as Eli turned that corner Faith ran and jumped into his arms saying ,You did it. Elis response was, I actually did it. Both Eli and Faith feel there is nothing else that compares to that moment.

Senior Year State

As the end of senior year, Eli and Faith prepared for the fun end of year activities such as prom, senior events, and most importantly graduation. Around the time of spring break, a virus began spreading across the world. Before we knew it schools were closing and we would never have the senior year we had always dreamed of. We would never get to walk the halls of our highschools again, we would never get prom, never get to say goodbye to our favorite teachers, and never get graduation. We had to simply let go of our senior year and move on. As summer came near the virus was still a problem. Across America businesses went out of business and stores were online only. As Faith and Eli prepared to go to college, they had to prepare for online schooling. Nothing could prepare them for never meeting their professors, barley stepping foot onto a campus, and learning by watching short lectures online.

COVID-19

Eli had planned on proposing for quite some time before he finally did it. His plan was to propose on the riverfront in downtown Evansville that day. They were planning on going there with their friends Carly and Reece. That plan got ruined with some unexpected rain that was on its way. Eli had to resort to proposing in the front of Faith’s driveway. Even though the plan fell through, there was something special about getting engaged in front of Faith’s childhood home. After all the smiles, laughs, and exchanging of words, Eli and Faith spent the rest of the night with some of their best friends by going out to dinner and bowling. It was a night that they will truly never forget.

Engagement

Eli and Faith decided to start adding to their family early. Eli’s great aunt and uncle have a dog who was having a litter of puppies they were going to sell. They were not planning on getting one of the puppies but after visiting with all of the puppies a couple of different times they had their heart set on getting one. By the time they wanted to get one it was down to 2 puppies left. One of them was a black and tan puppy that they found so cute it seemed like a no brainer. After bringing her home to test her with Faith’s other dog, they decided to get her. Next for them was trying to figure out a name. After sitting in the living room stewing on possible options, Faith eventually brought up the name “Ruby” and they just knew that would be her name. Ruby has been a joy and a blessing for them ever since that day they got her.

Ruby

Our Story

Photos

Kristen Pate

Shawn Dickens

Eleanor Horst

Brandon Dickens

Carly Sabelhaus

Tim Fox

Jalen Masden

Josh Teninty

Baileigh Doninger

Kennedi Kissel

Mick Pate

Ryan Huff

Conner Smiljanich

Josh Embry

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

If using GPS please enter 13222 E County Rd 1025 N, Troy, IN 47588 directly into your GPS and it will take you right there! If not using GPS use the following steps from Interstate 641. Take exit 63 (it will be the holiday world exit)2. Turn right if coming from East bound, turn left if coming from west bound (if you drive past the taco bell or hotels you have turned the wrong way) you will follow this road for 2 miles3. Turn left on 62 east (this will be a 4 way stop with the Lincoln penny head sign) Follow for 0.9 miles4. Turn right on Co. Road 1010 E/N fuldn Shortcut Rd (will be at the Monkey Hollow Winery sign) follow for 4.3 miles5. Continue straight to follow to 545 south (it is a slight right a the Y stop sign just inside Fulda) continue for 6 miles6. Turn Right onto E. County Rd 1025 N (there is a big white sign that says Matilda's) **If you pass the solar field you have gone too far** If you can, we strongly encourage using the GPS, it works the best!

Directions

5 PM Guests may arrive and begin being seated in the ceremony area5:30 PM All guests must be seated at this time, anyone after this time will not be permitted up the hill. **Ceremony Time**5:50 PM Bubble exit (instead of an exit we will be exiting the ceremony as our exit, please ensure you grab the bubbles from the entrance and blow bubbles as soon as first kiss happens)6 PM guests begin heading into the barn area. Please find you seats quickly6:10 PM Entrance, first dance, Father-Daughter Dance, Mother Son Dance6:30 PM Food!6:45 PM Speeches7 PM Party Time!! (guests may dance, or play corn hole provided out on the deck)

Flow of The Day

Faith & Eli

Faith & Eli

Registry