Malia & Joshua

Malia & Joshua

September 7, 2024 • Carmel, IN
Malia & Joshua

Malia & Joshua

September 7, 2024 • Carmel, IN

Our Story

How we met:

Joshua and I went to the same high school, even though it was a fairly small school, we never really knew of each other. Until the basketball season of Joshua’s senior year. This was my third-year cheering for our high school and Joshua’s mom spotted me from the stands and immediately told Joshua that he had to date me. I found out later from my cheer coach that his mom was asking about me. A few games later when Joshua was crowned Homecoming King, I got the nerve to go up to him and ask to have a picture with him. That night when I got home, I sent him the picture of the two of us, we then began chatting via text. Then unfortunately COVID hit, school shut down, and we stopped chatting back and forth.

A few months later:

Fast forward to the end of summer of 2020, Joshua has now graduated (COVID Style), and the parents of the high school held a prom. This was Joshua’s senior prom and my junior prom. To my delight, I spotted Joshua Thacker and was even more surprised when he came over to ask me to dance. That was the most awkward first dance ever! After that night, we both went our separate ways, and of course I was never expecting to have our first date a month later.

A year later:

We both talked about getting married early on in our relationship and we both knew we wanted to marry each other. We always said we are dating to marry, to build with and grow with each other. Shortly after that is when Joshua picked out a ring, and it is a beauty.

The proposal:

Let me back up, our very first date was at the Indianapolis Zoo. Therefore, Joshua decided early on that this would be the perfect spot for “the proposal.” Let’s fast-forward, we have been dating for over a year, Joshua now has the ring, only thing left is the surprise proposal. Now, trying to get two large families in one location is like herding cats. Somehow, Joshua was able to get 24 people to agree to participate in the proposal by coming to Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo. Yes, I was little surprised to see both families there, however I have seen crazier things. Without my knowledge, the family was secretively plotting the spot and setting into motion the “popping of the question”. As we are walking through the zoo, randomly everyone starts to throw rose petals at me and Joshua, then suddenly, Joshua goes down on one knee, pulls out the ring box, and asks for my hand in marriage. And of course, the rest is history….