We met at Restoration International's XY Conference for single young adults in San Antonio, TX on Sabbath, May 25, 2024. This is a photo of us doing the communication activity at the conference the next day.

The first visit after XY. After not missing a single day talking since XY, Julie surprised me with a visit on July 4th weekend.

Meeting Jacob's mom. Lunch at Olive Garden in Louisville, Kentucky.

Our first July 4th. Watched the fireworks on the Indiana side over the Ohio River.

Our first full day together. Took a day trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, two hours away from Louisville. It was the best road trip! Visited the Newport Aquarium and stopped at a very cute town in Indiana on the way back.

Our first Sabbath together and visited Jacob's church for the first time.

Our first Sabbath walk together at Mt. St. Francis Trailhead in Floyd County, Indiana. Wore our XY t-shirts. :)

Our first run together (5 miles) at Broad Run Park in Kentucky.

Jacob's first visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma and we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend :)

Meeting Julie's family and hiking in Turkey Mountain in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

First Sabbath as boyfriend and girlfriend. Attended Oklahoma camp meeting in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

Visiting Tulsa's Gathering Place.

Julie decided to reroute her trip home from a cyber conference in Las Vegas to Louisville, Kentucky instead for the weekend ;)

Peaceful Sabbath afternoon by the lake.

Meeting Jacob's dad.

Jacob visits Oklahoma again and meets Julie's "abuelita" (mom's side).

Spending quality time with Julie's brother. Enjoying a fun Sunday morning together!

One month official!

Attended a gorgeous wedding of a very dear friend in New Hampshire!

Beautiful 6-mile run on the river trails in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Another trip to Kentucky. :)

Downtown Doubler 15K/30K. Our first race together. Jacob ran 30K and I ran 15K. Jacob ran the 15K with me then had to turn around and run it again to complete the 30K. I waited for him at the finish line :)

Selfie after work before heading on a two-hour drive to Indiana Family Retreat. We love long drives together. They go by so fast because we have so much fun!

Our first family retreat!

Quality time at family retreat. We went on a beautiful 3-mile hike after lunch around the lake at Timber Ridge Camp. It was one of the best times.

Leading song service at Indiana Family Retreat.

Sabbath at INFR! The weather was perfect.

Day date to Indianapolis. Toured the Indianapolis Zoo botanical gardens, rode a gondola in the Indianapolis Canal, walked around the city, and had some pizza for lunch before heading back to Louisville.

Dinner with Julie's family in downtown Tulsa after Christmas Symphony rehearsals.

Enjoying a pumpkin patch.

Another trip to Oklahoma. Enjoying the rainy fall weather. Jacob ended up getting stranded in Oklahoma that day due to storms during his flights home. We did not complain and enjoyed the extra day together! :)

Visiting Jacob. Our last Sabbath morning as boyfriend and girlfriend! I had no idea!

The proposal! Jacob proposed at the very first park we hiked at back in July—Mt. St. Francis Trailhead in Floyd County, Indiana. It's a place that will forever hold a special meaning for us. We used to hike with friends on Sabbath afternoons, so I had no idea what was coming. When we arrived at the park, Jacob casually mentioned that we were "late" in meeting up with our friends. He took me on a hike, leading me through the trails, telling me we were trying to "find" them. Little did I know, they were actually hiding in the tall grass, and one of them had set up a camera at the top of the hill to capture the moment. I was completely unaware of what was going on, enjoying the hike, taking in the trees, birds, and scenery, and having a good time. I didn’t realize Jacob was trying to get me to the proposal spot. As we reached the center of the trail, which formed a ‘+,’ everything came together. And then, it happened! It took me a few seconds to process what was happening. Poor Jacob had to wait for my response! I was so shocked, but, of course, I said "yes!" Our friend captured the moment, and then his family came out from the tall grass to congratulate us. It was such a sweet surprise, and the day felt absolutely perfect in every way.

The happiest day!

FaceTime with Julie's family to tell them the good news!

Brunch with Jacob's parents/celebrating our engagement :)

Our first Thanksgiving. Spent it with Julie's family in Oklahoma.

Our engagement photoshoot! Our engagement photo gallery is in the "photos" tab.

Enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Enjoyed the weekend as a family in Hot Springs, Arkansas beginning wedding planning!

Jacob travels to Oklahoma for the Christmas Symphony! This was the first trip Jacob booked right after XY to see me again. Little did we know we would be engaged by then.

Owasso Christmas Symphony 2024!

Matching on the Sabbath before Christmas.

Our first Christmas together.

Our journey together began before May 2024, when our official timeline here starts. In fact, our first meeting happened on December 28, 2023, at the GYC in Portland, Oregon. We met at the XY booth, where our paths crossed in a way neither of us expected. Jacob had been standing with his friends, talking to my parents, but something inside him urged him to step away. Summoning the courage to leave his group, he walked over to talk to me. In that brief moment, he asked me how my experience at XY the year before had been. The conversation was very short, but Jacob was immediately attracted to me—he thought I was “the most gorgeous girl” he had ever seen. He felt drawn to me instantly and, although he hoped I would attend the next XY conference, he didn’t think I would go again. Fast forward one year later to GYC in Columbus, Ohio. This time, we were volunteering together at the XY booth, reminiscing about how we met and helping to promote the event to other young adults. It was a beautiful reminder of how one small interaction can lead to something much bigger, and we’re grateful for how far we’ve come since that first conversation.

Enjoying GYC together in Columbus, Ohio.

Starting the new year together! This will be the best year yet!

Dinner date and a candlelight concert the day before Valentine's Day. Enjoyed the view from this rooftop restaurant in downtown Tulsa.

Made our Valentine's Day lunch together.

Our first Valentine's Day!

Another Sabbath day together.

Back in KY. :)

Enjoying a gorgeous spring Sabbath in Oklahoma.

Love these two guys.

Our first National Family Retreat! :)