I actually knew Peyton’s mom long before I ever met him. We all served together in Emmaus, and Mrs. Amanda would occasionally mention her son and how I needed to meet him. At first, I just brushed it off. About a year later, during another walk, she brought him up again while we were winding down for the night. My friend Anna Claire chimed in and hinted that he might be a good match for me. That time, I gave in and asked to see a picture. Of course, being the proud mom she is, Mrs. Amanda sent me one right away—and I told her to grab his Snapchat for me, too.

On October 11, 2024, I sent Peyton a picture of me with his mom to break the ice, and from that day on, we talked daily. After a few months, Peyton finally said he had “a question.” Naturally, I assumed it was something casual. Instead, he asked if I’d like to go bowling sometime soon. I was so excited (though I wasn’t sold on bowling for a first date!). I suggested a hockey game and ice cream instead, and we made plans for February 14, 2025—Valentine’s Day of all days. For two weeks, I stressed to my friends about the possibility of ending up on the kiss cam during our very first date.

When the big day came, I was so nervous driving to his house. I pulled up just as his parents were leaving—which I later found out was very much on purpose. It was raining when we arrived at the game, and Peyton offered me his jacket to cover myself with. At first, I declined, but as the rain poured harder, I happily accepted. The game had already started when we arrived, and though it wasn’t the most exciting one, I tried to fill Peyton's quietness with small talk. Peyton, being much more reserved than me, mostly nodded—later I learned he could barely hear me and didn’t want to keep saying “huh.” At halftime, I slipped away to the restroom… and found my friends waiting there for a quick “debrief.” After the game, we stopped for ice cream at Andy’s before he drove me back and walked me to my car. Thankfully, we did not end up on the kiss cam!

The following weekend, I was back at his house for a movie night with his parents, and not long after, Peyton asked me to officially be his girlfriend on February 26, 2025. Six wonderful months later, he asked me the easiest question I’ve ever answered—“Megan Elizabeth Donohue, will you marry me?”

We are so thankful for the Lord’s hand in our story and for Mrs. Amanda’s gentle persistence that brought us together. This journey has already been filled with so much joy, and we can’t wait to continue it as husband and wife.