Let me start at the beginning.

It all started when I boarded a train during my summer vacation in the Swiss Alps. It was a dreary day. The fog consumed our vehicle, obstructing the view of the lush green mountain bases. I sighed, turned away from the window, and opened my novel to the marked page in the center. I began reading, but glanced up briefly when I felt someone's eyes on me. Across the car, a man with dark hair had made a lingering glance in my direction. He turned away when my eyes met his. Wondering why I hadn't noticed him before, I refocused my eyes on the page. However, I peeked up again when I sensed movement in his direction. The man had stood up. Well, stood as well as he could in the small car. He was a giant. Cautiously, he walked in my direction. Crouching slightly, he was careful not to bump his head against the beams on the ceiling. Reaching my aisle he said, "Is that seat taken," nodding to the open leather seat beside me. Too surprised to answer verbally, I shook my head. He sat next to me. "Hi," he said in a deep voice. "My name is Jacob." I looked up into the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. "Hello" I said...

Just kidding guys.

Jacob and I met on a dating app.

And as boring and unromantic as that sounds, I wouldn't change a thing.

Our first date was Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Audobon's restaurant in Ste. Genevieve. The first moment I made eye contact with him, I felt something in my mind and body shift. I still can't completely describe the feeling, but I can say that I knew from the first moment I looked at him that he was unlike anyone I had met before. The date was wonderful. Before we had even stood up from the table, he had asked me on a second date.

By the next day, our planned second date became our third date because neither of us was willing to wait till the following weekend to see each other.

As we dated, we learned that we had grown up 40 minutes away from each other, been involved in similar social circles, and even church groups, somehow without ever running into each other.

I discovered how kind, patient, and hardworking he was. Never before had I met someone who's morals and values aligned so perfectly with mine. On top of that, I noticed how he made me a better person.

He was the man of my dreams.

With one exception.

In all my girlhood imaginings I never envisioned that he would be quite so tall, but that's okay. I'm learning to stand up straighter every day.

On September 29th, Jacob surprised me by proposing on the glade on his family farm. I said yes and the rest is history!

J&I

Wedding Day

2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Mass

5:00 PM–11:00 PM

Reception