If you asked us when we first met, we'd tell you different stories. I remember meeting Jason in May 2018, the first Sunday I visited Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. A group of young adults went out to lunch after the 11am service. I remember walking with Jason and my friend from PA school, Sandi, who was also visiting the church. The 3 of us walked about 5 blocks together casually chatting. He stood out to me though because he was wearing a Westminister Seminary t-shirt and Chacos to church. All the other men were wearing button downs and ties or at least a golf shirt. I remember wishing I could have pulled off that look at Tenth as well as he did. However, I don't remember talking to him again until March 2019...


Jason first remembers meeting me when I walked into the church building looking for a small group that was recommended to me. He was the only one from the study waiting in the common area. We made casual small talk while waiting for others to arrive. I pretended like I had never met him before because clearly he didn't remember meeting me before. Turns out he led that particular small group.


Jason's kindness, wisdom, and the way he humbly led was evident from the start. Honestly, he was a little intimidating because of all of his Biblical knowledge, not that he was flashy about it at all-- I was just impressed. Jason kind of took me under his wing a bit while helping me acclimate to the new small group and get more involved in the church. However, a month or so after I started attending, his job led him to be in NY every Wednesday night, so he stepped down as leader/attending the small group.


We saw each other at various young adult events at church, caught up some here and there, and hung out in groups. He told me about purchasing a power drill to make a contraption for the church tubing trip. When I moved to a new apartment in Philadelphia in early September, I needed to hang my curtains. I Facebook messaged Jason asking if I could borrow his drill. His response: sure I'll help you hang your curtains. The following Sunday, he came over, helped me hang my curtains, and we talked in my kitchen for hours. When he started to leave my apartment, I said See you Saturday since there was a church event that day. He replied How about Tuesday?. I said out loud...Ummm what's happening Tuesday?. Jason shrugged and denied there being a church event. After a couple awk seconds of my mind moving so slowly, I understood he was asking me out.


Our first date, he took me rock climbing and out to Tex Mex. With that combo, I basically knew he was the one (kinda kidding). But actually, that evening Jason asked me What is your ideal meal? I told him steak and asparagus on the grill. He leaned a little closer over the dinner table and said Marry me.


The rest is pretty much history. We made our relationship official October 8, 2019. I would say we fell in love late May during a pretty intense hike in the Adirondacks. It was 14 hours of hiking through some tough terrain, running out of water, and trying to beat the sun going down (the sun 100% won). Jason kept so cool, encouraging, and took care of the group. Of course I knew his character was outstanding, but my respect grew tremendously that day and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. Later when reflecting on that particular trip, Jason said he came to the same conclusion while hiking that day.


Engaged October 10, 2020 on the top of a mountain. And excited to spend the rest our lives adventuring, cooking steak on the grill, and following the Lord as a team.