The Acreage

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

If You Ask HerAugust 2023, almost a year after moving to Nebraska, I decided it was time to join one of my church's small groups. On my first night, James showed up late and sick after returning from Lollapalooza (A Chicago music festival) and I didn't think much of him. A few weeks later, Nebraska Volleyball was discussed at small group. I stated how I would love to go to a game. Later that week, I received a group text from James inviting a few of us to Volleyball Day at Memorial Stadium. I agreed. The group decided to eat dinner before the game but everyone was late, leaving me and James alone in the lobby of Granite City. I thought this would be awkward, but time flew by as we chatted for 30 minutes before everyone else arrived. That was the day my crush started. A week later, I missed small group because I hurt my back. James texted me that night saying he missed me at group and hoped I was okay. I thought that was sweet of him, but figured he was just being nice. We started texting and the next day he called me. He told me he had a great time at Volleyball Day and asked me out for dinner that weekend. If You Ask HimAs Jessica mentioned, I had just returned from Lollapalooza. I was tired and sick, yet committed to making it to small group. I arrived in athletic shorts and a t-shirt, clearly not expecting to impress anyone. Little did I know that an absolutely stunning *older* woman would show up for the first time. I was VERY interested to put it mildly. She seemed laid back, kind and smart. I hoped she was fun, too! I decided that a casual group hangout would be the best way to get to know this lovely lady. The topic of Nebraska Volleyball was brought up at small group. Jessica and a few others mentioned they’d love to go to a game. Two days earlier, I had purchased 6 tickets to the record breaking 92,003-person event (shoutout to Olivia Eno for suggesting this). My brain started turning as I plotted to make this hangout with Jessica a reality. I texted Jessica and the others an invite and crossed my fingers she would be interested. Jessica was, and the group agreed to eat dinner beforehand. Everyone was late besides the two of us. I enjoyed our conversation and knew I wanted to date her. She was fun! I could not have planned dinner any better.&nbsp; Fast forward a week, Jessica texted the small group that she had a lifting injury (GREEN FLAG - I’ve been looking for a gym partner since Paul moved to Utah) and wouldn’t make it that evening. I sent a text asking about her injury and telling her that her presence was missed.&nbsp; That night, I put a reminder in my calendar (“Jess”) to ask her out and finally mustered up the courage a day later. I gave her a call. No answer. I almost doubled dialed (Shout out sales people) but instead, sent a text referencing a previous conversation and asked for a call back. My phone buzzed as I was driving to my volleyball game. I was nervous but managed to spit out the question, and she quickly agreed to a dinner date on Saturday. I told her I would make reservations and let her know the time and place. I didn’t fill her in on the details until Saturday morning. :)

Chapter One - When We First Met

If You Ask HerJames was either dumb or REALLY liked me, because he picked the night before his triathlon for our first date. Saturday morning rolled around and I still didn’t know when or where this alleged date was happening. I convinced myself that he had forgotten. When he finally texted me later that morning, he told me his plan to pick me up and take me to an Italian Restaurant, Vincenzo’s.&nbsp; I met James outside my apartment and he opened my car door, so I assumed he REALLY liked me. During dinner, James grilled me with about 100 interview questions (Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you want children? Do you like to dance? – All the important questions) but again, the interrogation, I mean conversation, came easy and I approved. We had a lot in common. We drove the same model of car, grew up in the Methodist Church, and had the same favorite Ben &amp; Jerry's ice cream flavor (Half Baked). The more I learned about James, the more my crush grew. If You Ask HimI knew that a first date the night before my triathlon (5:30am wake up time) probably wasn’t the smartest decision, but it was the only free day in my schedule for a while. The night before, some friends recommended I avoid surface level small talk – What her parents did for work or questions about her childhood and friends. I needed to figure out if she was wifey material. I took their suggestions to heart and did everything in my power to ask the tough questions. I was pleasantly surprised the entire evening. We kept aligning on everything! Faith, family, travel, hiking, careers, and most importantly, our love for Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream.&nbsp; In case you were wondering… I shaved 20 minutes off my triathlon swim time. It might have been the pasta, but more than likely it was the good company at dinner.

Chapter Two - Our First Date

If You Ask HerEvery year, James’ family goes to Colorado for the 4th of July and they invited me to join. I was looking forward to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. We had talked about hiking to Chasm Lake, as this was James' favorite, a hike near and dear to my parents, and one I had never done (In hindsight, it seems obvious this was the proposal spot). We didn't decide which day we were going to Chasm Lake until after we had arrived in Colorado. The night before, I didn’t even know who was joining us, so a proposal was not on my mind. When I woke up that morning, these were my thoughts:1. It’s 3:30am.2. I hope I don’t die.&nbsp;(This 8-mile hike was the longest I'd ever attempted.) By 6am, James and I, his mom and two sisters arrived at the trailhead and began the ascent to the lake. We made it to the top by 10:30am and James immediately declared it was time to eat the lunches we had packed. I wasn’t hungry, but we had been hiking for over 4 hours, so I wasn't going to argue. After lunch, his sisters started taking pictures on top of a large rock and I asked James if we could do the same. He said, "Of course." This rock was a giant boulder the size of my apartment living room, so James gave me a boost up. He "forgot his hat" and ran back to our backpacks to grab it before climbing up himself (I KNOW. Don’t say it). His sisters began taking photos of us. He twirled me around and then pointed and proclaimed there was a pika down below (Google “pika” and you'll understand why I was excited). And I was EXCITED, because the pika I briefly saw while eating "lunch" ran away from me, never to be found again. Soon after looking for this pika though, I realized there wasn't one. Why? Well, James told me it was by the red rock. There were no red rocks. When I had finally accepted there was no pika, I turned around to find James on one knee (knee braces and all) holding my sparkling ring out in front of him. He looked at me smiling, not saying anything, so I said "WELL?" and then he said "WELL?" paused, and then proceeded to say a bunch of sweet things I have since forgotten (sorry James). The part I do remember was James not asking if I would marry him, technically he only asked if I'd be his wife. I still said yes!&nbsp; I now realized why my mom had texted us earlier and seemed more excited for this hike than I had been. *See below*

Chapter Three - The Proposal

For everyone still thinking "how could she not have known," look at our proposal pictures. I had pigtail buns and no makeup. PIGTAIL BUNS. I rest my case.Verdict - Best. Hike. Ever. If You Ask HimI ordered the ring in April and had a few months to plan the proposal before the ring was ready. The jeweler suggested I figure out how I’d propose sooner rather than later, because the moment I had the ring in my possession, I’d want to give it to her. She was right. Luckily, my family had a trip to Colorado planned for the next week, so I only had the ring a mere 4 days before proposing. I grew up visiting the mountains and a love for hiking and nature is something Jessica and I share. I didn’t stress about when I was going to propose (remember our first date) but decided the top of Chasm Lake would be the spot - she would have to earn it.&nbsp; After calling Jessica’s dad the day before, I filled my parents in on the plan. I didn’t tell my sisters until mid hike, when I typed out a quick message on my notes app asking Vanessa to take photos and Olivia to take a video of the big moment.&nbsp; At the top, I spoke the most beautiful poetry known to mankind. Shakespeare would be proud. It is a shame that Jessica doesn’t remember any of it! In spite of this, she said yes and now I get to marry the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.&nbsp; Consistent with my life’s priorities, the second best part of the day was my mom and dad taking us out for ribs in Estes Park, something we’ve never been allowed to do before. Woohoo!&nbsp;Best. Day. Ever.

Our Story

Photos

Bridesmaids

The baking and DIY expert. Often mistaken for Jessica's sister, Maruša and Jessica  became fast friends back in 2018 after moving to Lincoln the first time. Maruša is the one who taught Jessica how to decorate sugar cookies. You can often find them scheming about food or a home  DIY project. 

Maruša Jonas

The beauty expert. Hannah is Jessica's cousin. They grew up spending countless hours on the family farm chasing cats, doing each other's hair while watching Princess Diaries and camping together in MN. They've come along way since the round brush hair incident of '06. 

Hannah Arey

The lover of all things Corgi and Ticketmaster Queen. Jordan and Jessica go all the way back to high school where they met in track, played in the wind ensemble and attended their first Taylor Swift concert (Speak Now) together after Jessica's mom purchased tickets for them while in band class. They have had tickets to every single Taylor concert since thanks to Jordan. 

Jordan Benish

The best roommate and coloring Queen. Katja and Jessica met in college while mentoring at a local church and became roommates shortly after for their last two years of college. They spent many evenings together crafting, coloring, watching Netflix and do not speak of the 2011 puff paint explosion.


Katja Klok

The soon to be sister-in-law and person responsible for James and Jessica's first social outing. Oliva is the one who encouraged James to purchase tickets for Volleyball Day in 2023 (see our story) where Jessica met her and hung out with James for the first time.

Olivia Eno

The other soon to be sister-in-law and engagement photographer. Vanessa took the iconic and stunning proposal shot (see our story) after finding out about 
her role a mere 2 hours (halfway up the hike) beforehand. Vanessa frequently plays volleyball with James and is waiting for the creation of the "Eno" volleyball team once Jessica steps up her game (and name). 

Vanessa Eno

Groomsmen

Paul Tindall

Austin Gerber

Regan Monhollon

Matthew Kramer

Atticus Eno

TJ Arey

Wedding Party

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When

Where

Food

RSVP

Registry

Dress Code

Additional

If you plan to Uber, due to the location, there most likely will not be Uber's close by. We recommend scheduling your Uber in advance!

If you have additional questions, please reach out to James at 402-650-1392.

Q + A

Travel

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lincoln Southeast

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln South, an IHG Hotel

AmericInn by Wyndham Lincoln South

If you have additional questions or recommendations on areas to stay, please reach out to James at 402-650-1392.

James & Jessica

James & Jessica

Q + A

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Where

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Food

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RSVP

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Registry

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Dress Code

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Additional

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