It all began on a warm August day when fate (and Aunt Megan) decided to play matchmaker. She had arranged a fishing trip, quietly plotting for Peyton and Maryeah to meet. Much to everyone’s surprise, Peyton normally not the first to speak up was the one who broke the ice. Maryeah, more reserved that day, simply let him talk and talk. Little did they know, this was the very first chapter of their love story.

Two weeks later, they went on their very first date to see Christopher Robin. By September 3, 2018, they were officially dating—and from then on, they were nearly inseparable. Their days filled with little adventures: trips to Kansas City for shopping and sightseeing, long nature walks, cozy movie nights, cooking dinner together, and so much more. Bigger adventures came too—like their trip to Fort Leonard for Peyton’s spelunking class and their Omaha getaway to the zoo and College World Series with Uncle Don and Marie.

In the fall of 2019, Peyton moved into his first apartment. That quickly became a gathering spot for friends Logan and Dillon, but everyone knew the real draw was that Maryeah made everything more fun. Later that year, their little family grew when they adopted Ella, their sweet dog who quickly became more child than pet. From then on, the “party of two” became a trio, with Ella joining every adventure.

The summer of 2020 brought simple joys. Peyton discovered mulberry trees, and the two of them spent hours picking fruit while Maryeah turned it into homemade jelly. When they weren’t berry picking, they were at the river swimming and kayaking, soaking in every bit of sunshine together.

By 2021, life was full of milestones. Maryeah graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, and Peyton followed in December with his own Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Then came the spring of 2022, when Maryeah was accepted into the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. That summer, they packed up Peyton’s apartment and moved into their first house together. In September, Peyton began his job at Lange Research and Consulting, bringing home fresh farm food that sparked new hobbies canning, pickling, and of course, more jelly making. Their house quickly became a home, filled with family, friends, and plenty of doggie sleepovers with Aspen and Gaia. (Despite the “no dogs in the bed” rule, Peyton was known to cave in and let them snuggle during sleepovers.)

The years 2023 and 2024 were full and busy vet school for Maryeah and work for Peyton. But no matter how hectic life became, they always carved out time for adventures: road trips to Colorado, Branson, and cheering on the Tigers at Mizzou football tailgates.

Then came New Year’s Day 2025. Peyton got down on one knee and asked the question Maryeah had been waiting for. She didn’t hesitate her “yes” was immediate. Wedding planning began almost right away (despite her promise to give Peyton a month before asking his opinion, which lasted… all of two days). By September, they had celebrated seven years of dating.

And now, their story continues each new chapter filled with love, laughter, adventure, and the promise that the best is yet to come.

M&P

Reception