Well, do you want to know when we first SAW each other, or when we first connected? Okay - you’ll get both!


Joe and I swear we both noticed one another at the PRS Kanine Social 5k in February 2022. It was a pretty chilly race - not enough for Joe to be bundled in a long sleeve, tights, gloves, and a beanie in my opinion…but I digress. I brought George to race with me and we were at the starting line. I scanned the crowd to see who all was there, and all the dogs I knew George would beat. It was then that I saw this tall young bald guy and thought, “oh…he’s a cutie.” Then, the race started, George SPRINTED the first 3/4 mile at a 6:30 pace, and then was dragging the rest of the way. The morning passed, I didn’t see that guy again, and George and I continued to live our lives through the horrid dating world.


It was about two weeks before my 31st birthday. Just casually scrolling through the usual dating apps - Tinder, Bumble, Hinge. They would constantly tell me “there are no more matches in your area. Try to expand your search.” And my response, “Don’t tell me how to live my life!” On my birthday each year, I would move up my age range by one, I can’t be robbing the cradle after all. Then, I see Joe’s profile on Hinge. Shaved head, tall, blue eyes, and a dapper smile. Yeah, he was cute alright. With him just having his birthday, if it were two weeks later, he wouldn’t have been on my radar. He made it just in time.


So, who messaged who first? THIS GAL. We struck up a conversation, and it was so free flowing. Who gave who their phone number first? THIS GAL. I wanted to meet up in person - had to be a place that we could grab a drink and I could easily slip out if it wasn’t my jam. Who suggested a local brewery? THIS GAL.


We had our first date at Wicked Barley Brewing. Good beers, and even better conversation. We talked about a lot of things - interests, hobbies, goals, family, and more. I remember we spoke about running, and he was getting back into it after his cross country days. We shared that we were both at the Kanine Social run - I knew I saw him from somewhere! He said he noticed me…but I’m not so sure. I’m only 5’ tall, NO WAY he saw me in the crowd. I remember him telling me about the runs and paces he was running and I thought, “teehee…I can beat him.” Oh how the tables have turned since then.


At the end of the date, he walked me to my car like a perfect gentleman, and…he didn’t try to kiss me. Do you know what he did instead? Guess…you’ll never guess…he BOWED. That’s right. He placed his hands together in a prayer position and bowed down to me. I thought, “oh gosh…no way he likes me.” But, I enjoyed my time and asked him to another date the next day. We went to European Street Café and had another really meaningful conversation, talking through much deeper topics and listening to what each person had to say. This time I walked him to his car at the end of the date. He grabbed his keys, paused, and said, "I feel like this is the part where I kiss you..." to which I replied, “so, are you going to kiss me?” We shared a brief, special kiss and said our farewells.


Our wedding guests will be going to the very special place we had our third date. Blue Jay Listening Room means so much to us - it’s the place where we get to snuggle up on a couch, listen to music, and enjoy each other’s company. Want to know one of infinite ways just how special Joe is? I left my hat that night and was going out of town for a birthday trip to the North Carolina mountains. Joe went out of his way to contact Blue Jay, see if they had the hat, drive all the way out there to get it, and make sure he gave it back to me. Knowing Joe now, that is absolutely not out of character for him and he is truly remarkable.


He met George shortly after this and their chemistry was INSTANT. George clung to him, licking his face constantly and wiggling that booty whenever he walked into the room. I got George’s stamp of approval and so I was hooked.


Our first away trip together was at Amelia Island. We were out to dinner, having a conversation when he said, “yeah I hope it’s okay I tell people you’re my girlfriend.” And to my snarky reply, I say, “well you didn’t ask me.” So, he puts down his utensils, and calmly asks, “Will you be my girlfriend?” What do I say? “No. That’s not how you’re supposed to ask me.” Way to go, Katie. That’s the perfect way to keep the man…well, we let dinner go by, we walk down the street. I say, “ask me again." He looked perplexed, and said, "Uhh...ask you what?" I (likely) rolled my eyes, took a breathe, and said, "Ask me to be your girlfriend.” He does, and I say yes.


Our relationship is filled with adventures, love letters, life’s challenges, and above all - laughter and comfort. We support each other, help each other, and sit in the presence of each other. We don’t have fights - we have conversations. We share vulnerably and bravely our thoughts and feelings. We give patience and grace and forgiveness. We take ownership over our actions and demonstrate the ways we work better toward each other.


They say relationships can be hard, and yet this is the easiest commitment I have ever made. He’s my person. He is George’s person. He is Eloise’s person. I am so thankful we choose each other in every moment we have ever embarked on and every moment we anticipate in our forevermore.

Our story begins with a girl making the first move and starting a conversation with a boy. Like most stories these days, ours started with a dating app. Though we both attest to seeing each other at races around Jacksonville beforehand. I remember thinking our initial conversation was going far smoother than any other I'd had on a dating app before and being excited when we agreed on drinks at a local brewery. The big things I remember about our first date was the thought that Katie was stunning and she looked even better in person. My stomach was in knots and eating the appetizers we ordered was not easy. And wow could I have made that goodbye any more awkward? As I walked back to my car after bowing to my date...

Luckily, Katie thought it was funny and kinda cute (at least that's what she tells me) and agreed to going on another date.

We actually went on 3 dates the first 4 days we knew each other. I barely gathered the courage to ask Katie for a kiss after our second date (I've never been good at that sort of thing) and I took Katie to one of my favorite spots in town for our 3rd; Blue Jay Listening Room for Jazz Jam. Blue Jay would go on to be the venue for many of our wonderful dates throughout the years and is now where we will be getting married!

Most of you know a lot of our story. We go on as many adventures as we can, traveling to different cities, states, & events. We spend time together doing the things we're passionate about. We make every effort to express our love and gratitude to others. And most of all, we enjoy our lives with our fur babies and each other.

I think, to me, what's most important about our story is how evident it was early on that this was something different and much more special than anything I'd experienced before. I never felt the urge to fight for a relationship like I have for Katie.

We established a strong connection very quickly and it's only gotten stronger as we've experienced more together in life.

I'm so excited to begin the rest of our lives together and I'm glad to have each and every one of you to witness it!

Here's the long story...

Since the start of our relationships, Katie told Joe that she didn't think she would ever want to get married. She mentioned it so much that Joe recognized that he wouldn't bring it up unless Katie resurfaced the conversation or he got an inkling that she would change her mind.

One day while walking in a local Jacksonville park, Katie goes, "So, hypothetically speaking...if you got an engagement ring, what would you want?" Joe quickly picked up on the fact that it wasn't in fact hypothetical. However, Katie would later find out he had already begun plotting and planning months earlier. He was actively designing a custom engagement ring, he had already asked for blessings, he was planning what he wanted to say and how he wanted to ask this very important question.

While Joe was away doing Navy things for extended periods of time in Summer/Fall 2024, he continued to coordinate the engagement with the ring company and our dear friends helping to plot the proposal (shoutout to Josh and Jenn!). Meanwhile, Katie was left oblivious. One evening, she went to dinner with Josh and Jenn (and their three kids), and said, "If Joe and I were to get married, I think I would need to ask him...I think I'm going to propose." Katie thought they kept this secret, but little did she know...(it's okay, Katie forgives you!).

Joe tried to convince Katie to go on a weekend trip to Amelia Island, because he wanted to reenact the moment they made the relationship official. Katie, being the homebody she is, was adamant about staying with the puppies and working on our newly purchased home.

So, Joe had to come up with Plan B.

They had plans to go to Savannah, Georgia to see their favorite band, Time Sawyer, at the Isle of Hope Music Festival. Joe reached out to the band for a big favor (see initial email outreach below). He found out friends were going to meet us at the concert (shoutout to Kati, Kev, and Ollie!) and asked for them to capture the magic.

Meanwhile, Katie didn't tell a soul. Katie thought, "Well, the first person I would want to tell that I'd like to propose to Joe is Joe, so...I'll just have to wait to tell people." Katie did indeed reach out to the band (see screenshot below), but kept things fairly vague.

October 26, 2024. They head to the festival and enjoy the beautifully sunny afternoon. Time Sawyer comes on, Katie and Joe enjoy the band’s tunes and sing along. Then, Sam (lead singer), says, "We have some special friends in the audience from Jacksonville, Katie and Joe are with us...this song has always meant quite a bit to them and it means a lot to us. Appreciate y'all and glad you're here."

The band begins to play their song: Oak & Pine. Joe and Katie get up and dance - the only ones dancing, and they were totally okay with that. The song ends, Joe reached into his fanny pack (this is how Katie knew he was going to propose...he never wears a fanny pack), and asks Katie to marry him. She, without hesitation, says yes, and they celebrate with joy.

Before Time Sawyer moves on to the next song, Katie shouts, "Wait! Wait! Wait!" She rushes to the table they were at, grabs the ring box, gets down on one knee, and asks Joe to marry her. He, without hesitation, says yes, and they celebrate with more joy.

Sam says to the crowd, "I'm going to give you all a little context to this, because I'm aware now of what's happening. Both of them reached out to us unknowing the other reached out to us about this EXACT moment."

After their set, they connected with the band to express most sincere gratitude. One more time for the band - THANK YOU Court, Jordan, Nick, Sam, and Time Sawyer Management!

Check out the song that means so much to the couple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f48hjErzHu0

We encourage you to spend time soaking in the lyrics, melodies, and harmonies of Time Sawyer: https://www.timesawyer.com/

"It takes some time to know your leaves. But, you're the prize of all the trees."