our story

I knew Jenn as the "running girl" for some time before we met. My uncle lived across the street, and let me know a girl had moved in to the house next to him. He had seen her running in the mornings, so "running girl" became my moniker for her.

Months went by and one day my uncle reached out asking for help to cut down some trees for a neighbor. That neighbor turned out to be "running girl". Not to say that I am not normally overjoyed to be helping my dear uncle, but I was especially excited for this particular job.

The day came and my uncle and I headed into her backyard to start working. She came out soon after and introduced herself. I was immediately stricken. Not only was she beautiful, but she was smart as a whip, dedicated, focused, passionate about her work, funny, and to top it off, kind. I learned about her job as a professor, the book she had been writing, her many trips abroad working for mission organizations and much more.

The daylight soon ran out and my uncle and I had not finished. For seemingly the first time, I was ecstatic a project wasn't finished and we would need to be back again soon. After the second day, much of what I learned the first day was re-affirmed. This girl was special and I needed to do something or I would always regret it. If you ask Jenn, she will claim she waited for me after this second day hoping I would hang around and talk more. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't, but my nervous excitement would of blinded me to either scenario. I was already planning how and when to ask her out.

A week passed and I was able to get her number through my aunt. (Thanks Carol!) Another week of courage building and I called on my way home from work that day, shaking like a leaf, knowing this girl was everything I had been looking for. I then asked the second best question I've ever asked, and was overjoyed to hear a yes. I'm sure I hung up quickly after that, feeling relief but also needing to scream with joy. I couldn't wait for our first date.

First date led to a second, and then a third. After a few weeks Jenn had only convinced me further I was pursuing the right person. After a little over a year of dating, I popped the question (best question I've ever asked) and she said yes!

Many happy memories later, here I am writing "our story" for a wedding website. But I like to think of this as a prologue. "Our story" has many more chapters to be written.

-Matt

We're getting married! If you would like to give to our wedding registry, we have set up two options. Our preferred option is a home renovation fund. The other is a traditional registry. Thank you, and we cannot wait to see you all soon! Love, Matt + Jenn