The Short and Sweet Version

We met in 2021 and instantly formed a connection that neither of us could ignore. What began with simple dates and long drives quickly turned into a love built on faith, growth, and everyday adventures together. From sharing life at UNO to traveling, decorating our home for every holiday, and learning how to balance an extrovert and an introvert, we’ve discovered what it truly means to be a team. On May 1, 2025, Joshua got down on one knee by the lake and asked Cassidy to be his forever, and now we’re preparing for a lifetime side by side.

The Full Story

We like to tell people that we met through “mutual friends,” but the real story began online, and faster than either of us ever expected. Joshua had only had the app for three days, Cassidy for just two, and somehow we became each other’s very first real conversation. Our first date was simple… maybe even a little awkward: a Target run followed by hours of driving aimlessly through backroads. Still, there was an undeniable spark. Cassidy went from quiet and cautious to asking if Joshua was free for the next three nights in a row. From that point on, we were inseparable.

Our beginning was sweet, messy, and full of unforgettable moments. On one early outing, Joshua accidentally backed his dad’s truck into Cassidy’s car, and shortly after, he managed to get pulled over right in front of her dad’s house. Not exactly the best impression. But somehow, somewhere along the way, both of our families grew to love the other person, and our bond only deepened.

When Cassidy’s dad moved to Texas, Joshua’s parents opened their home to her. What was meant to be a structured and careful living arrangement instead became an opportunity for us to grow closer, learn responsibility, and truly understand what partnership meant. We began building a foundation rooted in communication, compromise, and faith. It was during this time that we discovered just how deeply God was weaving our lives together.

Over the years, we’ve made countless memories. We’ve traveled to New York, Texas, Minnesota, Chicago, Indianapolis, Florida, and Arkansas. We’ve attended sporting events, concerts, Broadway shows, pumpkin patches, zoos, and , of course, more Target trips than we can count. We’ve carefully decorated our apartment for every holiday imaginable, a tradition we both love and proudly invest in. Our little home has become a reflection of who we are together: cozy, joyful, and full of love.

We’ve also grown side-by-side in our individual journeys. Cassidy pushed herself into her university’s Fast Track program, taking graduate-level classes while working full-time. Joshua earned his degree, began his master’s program, works two jobs, and has become the steady, compassionate leader of our home (at least Cassidy lets him believe that). Along the way, we’ve learned patience, teamwork, communication, and the beauty of showing up for one another in both big and small ways.

Now, we both attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha — a unique experience that allows us to share school life as well as home life. Cassidy often stops by Joshua’s office for lunch, and Joshua is always happy to chauffeur her around campus. Being able to support each other daily, academically and personally, is a rare gift we don’t take for granted.

Of course, we’re not identical. Joshua is the extrovert who loves traveling, being social, and dreaming of life in the suburbs. Cassidy is the introvert who imagines a quiet life on a little piece of land just outside the city, raising lots of children (she votes for five… Joshua says three is the limit). While we don’t always agree, we’ve learned how to compromise, laugh, and meet in the middle. That balance is one of the strongest parts of our relationship.

On May 1, 2025, just days before our four-year anniversary on May 14, after months of secret planning, ring resizing, and one very nervous pre-proposal bathroom break, Joshua got down on one knee by the lake at Heartland of America and asked Cassidy to be his forever. Completely surprised, with happy tears in her eyes, she said yes.

Our story has been filled with unexpected beginnings, a few disasters, a lot of laughter, countless miles driven together, and a love that has grown deeper with every season. We have truly grown together, and now we can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives as husband and wife — guided by faith, rooted in love, and excited for all that’s ahead.

J&C

Ceremony