The story of M&J requires a prologue because it begins long before the couple knew each other existed…

As many of you know, Mallory was born and raised in the Adirondacks (ADKs), and Jim was born in NJ but grew up in OH. What’s truly unbelievable, yet true, is that Jim spent his childhood summers vacationing in the ADKs… a mere 14 miles from Mallory’s home.

That’s right! The DeMuth family lived in OH but owned a cottage in NY, on Upper Saranac Lake, where they happily spent summer vacations between the years 1979-2000.

M&J did NOT know this when they first met! However, they did make the connection pretty early on in their relationship. Now Jim likes to visit the old cottage whenever Mal brings him home to the ADKs on holidays, and they love sharing their histories there.

M&J first met in the Fall of 2014. Mal had just moved from NY to OH to begin her career in nursing, and Jim had just left OH for a new job in MI.

Thanks to mutual friends and family* (and the power of social media), Jim caught wind of the new girl in town and reached out to Mal… They went out, fell in love, and the rest is history! (see their photo timeline of memories and milestones below!)

*special shoutout to Mal’s cousin Ali, and Jim’s sister Jackie, who’ve been besties since college… If it weren’t for their friendship, M&J would’ve likely never met! So thank you both so much, the couple loves you endlessly!