Lancaster Community Center

Rehearsal Dinner

Willow Creek

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

How We Met:Sometime in mid 2015Matt Sosebee comes up to me (Katie) and says "You know who is an awesome, single man who also loves God?... John Franklin." And immediately walks away. For me (John), this Sosebee suggestion was something that was happening from January 2016 on, and went about the same... "You know whose so cute and loves the Lord and you should pursue? Katie Bristo." Levi was involved as well and would just walk by saying "KB."May 2016John and I met while attending Vertical Church's volunteer banquet. When I first walked in, I was handed two tickets, one that I was supposed to hold onto in case the number on the ticket was called and I was told to hand the other one to whoever was taking up the tickets . Well I walk through the doors and John is standing there taking up the tickets. I hand him mine and start to walk off and he says, "I'm going to keep this." I was so confused. "I'm going to keep this so you can't win anything." I was super confused since we had never talked before. I just played along, laughed, and told him that he better not because I really wanted to win. Actually, I (John) wasn't even supposed to be taking tickets. I was simply keeping Chris Gallas company while he took tickets. I saw this opportunity to start seeing what Katie Bristo was all about, and that first interaction told me she could keep up with good banter. What went wrong here was that I intended to give her other ticket to the ticket-caller to ensure she would win... I can't remember if I forgot to do that, or if they just told me no. :)We continued to see each other at church and church events. We quickly exchanged phone numbers and hung out EVERY chance we could- but it would always be with a group of people.

When we first met

Bonfire Realization Katie and I had been hanging out a bit, but never solo. June 5th there was a collective bonfire, and we had been talking about how we couldn't wait for it. However, I was still slightly unsure about the whole prospect of this relationship. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment we had spent together up until that point, and I even kept a meticulous record of those events. I was simply unsure of how things would work with her going off to school again. I knew by the end of this night that I couldn't dismiss my feelings for her. As soon as Katie arrived, I was already there playing a game and my excitement skyrocketed when I knew she was on the scene, and I couldn't wait for her to come talk to me. The whole time we sat with each other, and laughed together... there we moments that night it was like we were the only ones there. After she left, I spent some time spilling my guts to Chris Turturro, who with wise counsel helped me realize I just wasn't trusting God with this situation. The next day, I was to leave with the youth for camp, but I was able to invite Katie to have lunch with me before we left. Our first time together alone!

When I decided to go for it!

First "Real" DateWe finally had our first date June 10th at Buffalo Wild Wings. On the outside, this date probably seemed like any ordinary date, but I feel like it is important to mention because John said something during that date that I will never forget. When John and I first started talking, I was very hesitant because I knew that I was about to start grad school and I knew I 1) didn't want a long distance relationship and 2) I didn't want a boyfriend while in my first year at Tarleton. During this first date, I immediately mentioned those concerns to John and he replied with "Well I don't know, but I do know that God's timing is perfect." God's timing definitely is perfect and that has been evident in every aspect of our relationship. It wasn't long after that date that I knew I loved him and it wasn't long after that that I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

when i knew i loved him

December 22, 2016I woke up super excited because this was the day I had been thinking about for a long time- a double date with my best friend Emily…(little did I know, this was actually the day I had been excited about my whole life). Emily and I had always talked about how we couldn't wait to both be dating someone at the same time so we could go on a double date. And with our track record with guys, we had kind of given up on the idea. A week before, Emily called me and we set up this double date day, we were going to get our nails done, get dressed up, and go out to eat with our boyfriends. Everything was going according to plan- Emily and I got our nails done, we got coffee, and were back at her place getting ready with Riley (Emily's boyfriend at the time… now fiancé:)). Then all of a sudden Riley got a call from his grandparents (actually John) saying that their new dog was throwing up and they needed to leave now to take their dog to the vet. (This was all part of John's elaborate plan.) I headed to John's house, super bummed that our double date wasn't happening. I walked in and see John on one knee… messing with the TV (he was foreshadowing to the rest of the night.. only he would think to do that :)). We decided to just go ahead and make a date night out of it since the two of us were already dressed up. We went out to eat and then he "randomly" decided that it would be cool to go to Klyde Warren Park and look at the Christmas tree and the lights. We walked around and talked for a little bit and then he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a Christmas present for me. It was wrapped in brown paper and John had decorated the outside of it. I unwrapped it and it was a Bible with "Katie Nicole Franklin" inscribed on the front. And that is when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! Best day ever.

when i said yes

Our Story

Details

Cody is my cousin, so I've known him for a lot of years. He also is one of my best friends. We've got memories for 2 decades, and can usually read each other without even talking. He's lived with me for the past year and a half, and we've been around for each other while experiencing God do some great things for each of us. Very glad to have him stand next to me when I join lives with Katie!

Cody Franklin

I have known Emily since my Sophomore year of high school. We went through high school together, then college together, and now we are going through engaged life together. She has been my most faithful friend and I am so excited to have her stand by me as I marry the love of my life. I also cannot wait to stand by her on her big day. (Technically she will be my MATRON of honor by the time I get married) :) 

Emily Burton

Trey and I were friends way back in elementary school, and met again during college (both times at DBU). We really grew close after I had graduated, and we spent too many late nights on video and board games. Trey lives with Cody and I, and we all love to keep each other on our toes.

Trey Bowling

Megan was one of my very first friends at UMHB. Meg is one of the funniest people I have ever met. She has such a heart for people (and dogs) and I am beyond blessed by her friendship. Living with her and Ash are some of the best (and funniest) memories I will ever have. Oh, and she is also engaged! :)

Megan Purswell

David and I met at DBU in choir, where he appropriately assumed me to be a hunter based on my footwear (boots). We spent a ton of time laughing, and I think that could be one of the strongest facets of our friendship. Specifically, laughing when we ought not to! I've been privileged to see him become a marine, a husband and a father. Honored to have him with me as I join with Katie. 

David Mills

Ashley and I have been friends ever since my sophomore year at UMHB when I was assigned to be the trainer of the women's soccer team. She is a very loyal friend and we have had SO many good times in the 211. She's an amazing soccer player... oh, and she is ALSO engaged. :)

Ashley Teague

Robbie and I met my freshman year of college. Apparently we looked exactly the same, and someone kept getting us confused for each other. We have been through a lot together. However, if we disagree on something, everybody watch out, but don't worry we still love each other. I stood with him at his wedding, and I'm glad to have him with me for mine. 

Robbie Walters

Hannah is one of my favorite people ever. We have known each other even before I can remember. We used to dress up and wear the exact. same. outfit. Hannah is such a great encourager and I know I will always be able to count on her.

Hannah Oakes

Tori has been my longest friend. There's a picture of her sitting beside me with me being just a few weeks old! We have been through so much together and separate and I am so happy for her to be standing beside me. She has been such a huge help with this whole wedding planning process. 

Tori Holford

Matt and I became friends when I volunteered with the youth group at Vertical. He was an early proponent for Katie and I. He's been an great friend to provide encouragement and point to Christ whenever needed. His family treats me as one of them, and I'm glad to have Matt with me at the wedding.

Matthew Sosebee

Chris and I met when I started playing with the Vertical band. He's a good friend that will never turn his nose up at somebody, but the volume of his drumming will always be high! Chris and his wife Jamie helped me plot some hang time with Katie very early on by inviting people over to watch a basketball game (really they only invited Katie and I).

Chris Gallas

Kaitlin and I went to OCS together and have stayed in touch since then. I can't tell you the number of times she drove 2 hours and showed up at  UMHB sporting events just to cheer me on as I was athletic training. I'm so thankful that we have stayed in touch after high school  and she will always be my first singing partner. :)

Kaitlin King

Lily is our niece! She is John's sister Jenny's youngest daughter. She's very excited to get a new dress and jewelry for the wedding, and we're so glad she's one of our flower girls! After meeting Katie for the first time she asked Jenny if we were married, and Jenny said no. Lily then said "well they should be."

Lily Hale

I got to meet Chris through both the youth group and our small group. Chris is a great friend. I believe I can go to him for any help or with anything, and if ever I forget that he is quick to remind me. The Knigge's also treat me like family, and support en encourage Katie and I. Chris has gone to great lengths to be at the wedding, and I'm so glad he's going to be standing with me. 

Chris Knigge

Last but certainly not least is Katie's brother Jeremy. My first few interactions with Jeremy were all on Facebook because Katie and I started dating  while he was deployed. When we went to pick him up at the airport for Christmas, Jeremy was already in the loop and supportive of all the engagement plans. I'm so happy to have Jeremy with us as we join families.

Jeremy Bristo

Katie is our friends Matt and Dana's youngest daughter. She gets so excited to see us and usually greets us with a big hug. This isn't exclusive though, she has hugs and excitement for lots of people. We are so glad she's going to be one of our flower girls.

Katy Sosebee

Wedding Party

Engagement Pictures

Registry

Q + A

We have reserved a block of rooms at this location. Please reference the Bristo- Franklin wedding for a special group rate!

Katie & John

Katie & John

Engagement Pictures