Ethan and Mollie’s story began in a rather unexpected way on Easter of 2019, when Mollie joined her best friend — Ethan’s sister — for dinner at his mom’s house. They didn’t speak much that day, but fate had other plans. A few weeks later, at Ethan’s mom’s birthday party in late May, they ended up going for a walk together — and the connection was instant. By August of that year, they officially started dating, and their adventures as a couple began.

Their first date, a late-night walk around St. Louis on May 29, 2019, set the tone for their relationship: filled with laughter, exploration, and genuine connection. Since then, they’ve shared countless adventures – traveling together, float trips, hiking (including the Incline in Manitou), and riding the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. They’ve also shared plenty of fun nights out — catching live shows and comedians, visiting speakeasies, going to pumpkin patches (sometimes just for the cider), admiring Christmas lights, and cheering at countless Cardinals games.

Throughout the years, they’ve celebrated many major milestones — moving to Colorado Springs and back to Missouri, supporting each other through school and work, and joining in family celebrations. Together they’ve built a life filled with meaningful traditions and spontaneous adventures - whether it’s participating in 5Ks, attending the St. Patrick’s Day parade in St. Louis, or taking a last-minute road trip to Illinois just to grab Giordano’s (we can all guess whose idea that was).

Ethan’s proposal perfectly reflected the blend of fun and romance that defines their relationship. He secretly planned a weekend trip to Denver, eased Mollie’s fear of flying with a few tequila shots, and whisked her off for what she thought was a casual evening. After a quick outfit change and a small Bird scooter mishap (that’s what they get for squeezing two people onto a one-person scooter), Ethan led her to a park clearing glowing with candles — a setup Mollie initially thought was for someone else and did not want to interrupt! It turned out to be the moment Ethan proposed, beautifully captured by his friend Carsell in Civic Center Park. The night ended with a celebratory dinner at Maggiano’s and a very surprised (but very happy) bride-to-be.

Since the beginning, Ethan and Mollie have continued to build a life full of laughter, adventure, and love — Whether exploring new places, attending concerts, or celebrating holidays in their own quirky ways, they cherish every moment together. Now, they are thrilled to celebrate the next chapter of their story surrounded by their friends and family who have been a part of it all.