[Her story]

It was fall, 2020. After living alone and being unemployed since the pandemic started, I was craving some community. Some folks I met at church invited me to go play volleyball at a local park. Those who know me will attest that I have NEVER been one to willingly participate in a sport, let alone with complete strangers, but something urged me to go that chilly November night.

After stifling some social anxiety, I approached the rag-tag group of church folk mixed with servers from a restaurant down the street, and that's when I met him - a slightly awkward, horribly competitive, curly-headed blonde boy who could not stop talking about movies. Over the course of the next month and a half, I spent time getting to know the people in this group, but I always found myself gravitating toward that blondie.

By January, I felt like he wasn't picking up on my hints and incessant flirting, so I took matters into my own hands. After asking for his number so he could "text me some movie recommendations," we began texting almost nonstop. In less than a week, my natural lack of patience became apparent, and I invited myself over. With the promise of frozen corndogs, true crime shows, and gin and tonics in hand, I made the 20 minute drive to his place for our first date.

From that night, on January 18, 2021, we have been inseparable. We have navigated health crises, new jobs, new friends, and changes in our day-to-day routines to accommodate one another; and though it is loud, messy, and so far from perfect, it has been the greatest start to a love story I could ever have imagined.

I can't wait for the next chapter - hopefully it includes something a bit better than frozen corndogs.

J&A

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception