Even though they grew up only 20 minutes away from one another, hung out at all the same places, and had similar hobbies, Maddie and Jonus had to go to college to find each other. They both headed to Grove City College in 2017. After bouncing around majors a few too many times, by sophomore year Maddie had settled on the major Jonus had been all along, music business. They were the only two studying in that major in their year. It’s almost like God had tried everything and finally put them in a place where they just had to meet! And they finally did.

The first class they had together was string methods in spring 2019. Jonus chose to learn the upright bass (because it was easy for him and it was a 1-credit class), and Maddie chose the same (because it was comically large compared to her). On the first day of learning bass, Jonus uttered the first thing he’d ever say to his future wife, “How are you going to play that thing?” as he laughed and gestured to the size difference between her and the instrument. Maddie replied with a snarky “ha-ha,” and even though it was said with good intentions to a guy she thought was pretty cool and good-looking, Jonus thought she was offended by the comment. They didn’t talk for weeks.

After some egging-on from her friends Caylah and Hannah, Maddie messaged Jonus on a whim. She couldn’t think of what to say, so she just asked him if he’d taken some random required class yet. That sparked a conversation on Facebook Messenger that has since never stopped. Later that week they attended a chapel service together and then decided to go hang out in a 24-hour rec room. They ended up talking for almost 6 hours; Jonus distinctly remembers the moment when he asked if Maddie was a dog or cat person, and finding out that Maddie was not only a dog person, but managed her dog’s social media accounts. That’s when he knew she was a good one. It was also at this time when they realized how much they had in common when it came to hobbies (they are both guitar hero gods), interests (music, obviously), and Pittsburgh-local hang out spots (can you believe they used to go to the same mall practically every weekend throughout high school but never met?).

Jonus introduced her to his twin brother (and roommate) Jarrett over a weekend-long Star Wars marathon in their dorm. Just a week later, Jonus invited Maddie to an open mic and a gig he was playing, where she met his parents. Before school was out, Maddie needed help carrying a couch she bought from another student, so Jonus met her dad over trying to fit a humongous couch through a tiny stairwell. The first weekend of the summer, after a lunch trip, Maddie was excited to introduce Jonus to Archie, her dog. He met her mom that day, too.

The pair saw each other at least once per week over the summer in the midst of Jonus working full time and Maddie being a full time student. When school kicked back up, you could find Jonus in Maddie and Caylah’s apartment every single day after class.

On September 25, 2019 (yes, 6 whole months since they’d become inseparable) after a Sheetz run, they were goofing off walking back from the car to Maddie’s apartment. Jonus asked her, “Would you maybe wanna go on a date with me sometime?” and Maddie giddily accepted, of course. Two days later, Jonus took her to Quaker Steak and Lube in Sharon, PA and they did the Triple Atomic Wing challenge... Why was that his idea for a first date? Jonus thought it would be memorable and a bonding experience, since they were suffering through the most painful meal of their lives together... and it was. They conquered the challenge and have t-shirts to prove it!

Over the next 4 years of dating, Jonus and Maddie grew together in every aspect of their lives; most importantly, they grew together in their faith. During this time, they also completed bachelor’s degrees together, traveled around the country, made tons of new friends, developed careers, and so much more.

On June 17, 2023, when they had gotten back from a fun night of bar-hopping, watching the Taylor Swift concert from the Point, and hanging out with family, they got back to the parking garage where they finally had some alone time. Jonus was rooting around “looking for his parking ticket” - but instead he pulled out the engagement ring and popped the question.

Maddie and Jonus have never been more excited for the future! The pair has some big life plans and goals, but those are a story for another time. They are thrilled for you to share one of the biggest and best days of their lives, and thank you for your endless love and support.