On a random, cold January evening in Winona, Minnesota, A couple of Tarek's friends were heading out to Wellington’s Westgate Bowl for a fun night, but he did not want to go. After some convincing, Tarek decided to go.

A few lanes over, laughter echoed from a group of girls who had already began bowling. Jayla, a nursing major with a quick smile and an observant eye, noticed Tarek before he noticed her. There was something about him—kind, handsome, and randomly good at bowling. Before leaving, Jayla made the first move by asking the cute guy to take a picture of her and her friend; hoping that Tarek would get the hint to put his number or snapchat into her phone, unfortunately, being a guy, Tarek missed the hint!

So, remaining interested in this mystery guy, Jayla, after saying some prayers sent a Hail Mary pass on an anonymous college chat app asking for "the cute guy from lane 5's phone number." Tarek did not have this app, but through divine intervention, one of Tarek's friends from the bowling alley saw the message and gave her his number.

Minutes later, his phone buzzed. A text turned into conversation, conversation into a connection—and just like that, history began rolling forward, one frame at a time.

Who would have guessed that a small-town boy from Boscobel, Wisconsin would meet a city girl from Rochester, Minnesota.

Their story filled quickly with miles and memories—runs along the lake, hikes that turned into laughter-filled detours, and even the Hot Cider Hustle Half Marathon. Holidays blended, families intertwined, and a sweet symmetry emerged: his birthday on April 14th, hers on May 14th, and—soon—their wedding day on March 14th (their 3 year anniversary of being together)

In December 2024, Tarek decided it was time. With help from his parents and sisters, he planned a scavenger hunt through Rochester, guiding Jayla to places that held their love: Culver’s, Flapdoodles, the pickleball courts. Each clue pulled her closer to the final destination. That destination was at the beginning of Tarek and Jayla's favorite running bridge by the lake.

There, in the white snow. The words Marry Me rested perfectly in place as the song, “Take My Name,” played near the walking bridge. Tarek walked Jayla towards the letter, got down on one knee, Jayla said yes, and the rest is history.

Now they call Bloomington, Illinois home. Jayla works as an nurse on a medical-surgical floor working nights while Tarek spends long days training athletes as an assistant athletic performance coach in Strength and Conditioning while pursuing a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology at Illinois State University, ISU GO! Life is busy, but they make space—for date nights at the local Elroy's pub, Marvel movie marathons, and yes, even football days, thanks to Tarek, penciling it into the calendar.

Between working, wedding planning, and dreaming up a honeymoon, their days are full. All because one night God planned for them to meet.

J&T

Wedding Ceremony

Cocktails

Dinner