Our Story

Even though I (Joey) could not tell you the first time I met Kaitlyn, I can tell you that the beginning of our story started roughly in November of 2019 (officially on December 29th), and ended on July 6th, 2020, when I moved into Akron for my freshman year. This was an interesting time. The beginning of the second semester of my senior year of high school, the exact time every senior boy should be looking to start a relationship with a girl in the grade below him before he goes to college. Nevertheless, we clicked easily, finding more commonalities than not, and enjoyed each other’s company. COVID ended my senior year and we spent quite a bit of time in quarantine together. Getting to know each other’s families was one huge positive to come out of this time frame, as we are blessed with amazing parents, brothers, sisters, and in-laws. As I left for Akron, the middle of our story started.

July 6th, 2020 to April 4th, 2026 could be considered the middle of our story as it makes up the bulk of our relationship. There were 2,098 days between these two dates. Of those 2,098 days, I have estimated that Katie and I spent about 1,883 of those apart, or 90%. As I settled in at Akron for my first year and Katie went through her also-COVID-ruined senior year, we were able to see each other fairly frequently. Her move to Rochester to pursue a Physician’s Assistant degree and play basketball began 4.5 years of long distance. I will not say this time period was easy. Nor will I say it was fun. And I definitely would not want do it again. However, I will say this period was incredibly important for both of us, as we grew individually in our respective lives while also fostering our relationship together. It was during this time that I slowly started looking at my life not just as my own, but mine and Katie’s. This mindset persisted as I finished up school and started work and Katie completed her clinical rotations. We enjoyed some time in North Royalton together, but I decided I wasn’t quite done with the long distance, so I shipped off to Peoria, IL (just kidding I kind of didn’t have a choice if I wanted a job). I decided I was going to ask her to be my wife in November of 2025, ordered the ring, received Mr. Bockelman’s blessing, and got the ring the day before I left for Peoria. (The ring may or may not have been 2 sizes too big, but that’s neither here nor there). The middle of our story ended on April 4th, 2026, when I proposed to Katie in Berea, OH, and celebrated with our loving families and many friends.

As we get to the end, it’s been some more of the same, long distance. Katie got a job as a Cardiology PA here in Peoria. As we look towards May 15th, 2027, I can’t help but be blessed and grateful that it is anything but the end of our story. By the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we will exchange our vows and be joined together as one flesh. We are looking forward to having you all witness these vows and celebrate this day with us as we begin to write new chapters in our story.