Believe it or not, our story began back in the Fall of 2006—long before we even knew it. I was just a spectator in the stands, and Jared was tending net at a junior hockey game. At the time, we were just two kids unknowingly skating through life, completely unaware that fate had already placed us in each other's lives.

Fast forward to 2019: I was scrolling Instagram when I came across a photo of a friend’s beer league hockey team. Right there in the center was their goalie—someone who looked oddly familiar… and, honestly, very attractive. Curiosity kicked in, and I did what any gal might do—I hit follow.

It didn’t take long before Jared slid into my DMs, and from there, the conversation started flowing. Over the next year, our paths crossed here and there, but it wasn’t until July 4th, 2020, that we had our first official date at Chelsea’s annual party and belly flop contest. (Spoiler: Jared didn’t win, but he definitely had my attention.)

From that point on, things just fell into place. In January 2023, we took a big step and moved in together—combining our spaces, our routines, and our two pups. That year was filled with new experiences: our first Thanksgiving as hosts, spending weekends with both sides of the family, and plenty of quiet moments that started to feel like home. Somewhere between cooking chicken cutlets and binge-watching The Sopranos (neither of us had seen it before!), we found ourselves dreaming about the future—and realizing we didn’t want it without each other.

On December 20, 2024—the night before my very first Penn State football game—Jared asked me to marry him. It was simple, sweet, and so perfectly us.

Now here we are, counting down the days, and so excited to celebrate this next chapter with all the people who’ve been part of our journey.

Jackie and I first crossed paths through mutual friends, and I actually remember meeting her a few times years ago—a red-headed hockey player isn’t someone you forget. Dating wasn’t exactly easy in 2020, but when she invited me to a 4th of July party, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to see her.

We started dating not long after that and by January 2023, she moved in with me and life started to feel a little more complete. I can't pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but I realized she made every moment better just by being herself, and I knew she was the one I wanted to marry.