After serving in the Air Force 6 years, Jon went back to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to finish his undergrad in chemical engineering. Upon graduating in 2016, Jon applied to multiple jobs across the country that he was all well qualified for, only to be offered a single job in Milwaukee, WI. Confused as to why it was the only job he was offered, he trusted God and made the move to Milwaukee, finding an apartment north of the city in Germantown.

A family friend that heard he was moving to the area recommended Jon check out Victory of the Lamb Lutheran Church in Franklin. Though it was nearly an hour from his place in Germantown, and there were many churches closer, Jon felt drawn to the church and continued to make the drive every Sunday. He soon became a member and began volunteering in the kids ministry program run by a woman named Liz.

Meanwhile, Liz's daughter Naomi was across the country working on an internship in Nashville TN, and battling whether or not to return to Milwaukee. While still in Nashville, Liz texted Naomi "I just met your future husband."

She told her a handsome and incredibly nice guy named Jon had just begun volunteering for the kids program and she was certain Naomi would like him. After unsuccessfully looking him up on every social media outlet and knowing he was 9 years older, Naomi assumed it would never work and shrugged off the idea.

At the end of the summer Naomi reluctantly made the decision to come back to Milwaukee and finish her degree. Short weeks after returning to Victory of the Lamb, she noticed the cute guy her mom had told her about. Since Liz was in charge of scheduling the volunteers, Naomi asked her mom to put her and Jon in the same room for a couple of weeks so she could have an excuse to meet him.

The two continued to share little moments and brief conversations together for the following two months, but Naomi was certain they didn't mean anything romantic since Jon was so friendly, kind, and helpful to everyone he met. Jon thought the same thing about Naomi as she would offer to sit by him at church.

Towards the end of November Naomi was selling prints of her artwork in their church lobby which prompted more conversation between her and Jon. Between two Sundays, Jon had purchased over $100 worth of Naomi's artwork before he finally got up the nerve to ask if she "would mind" if he took her out to dinner sometime. Trying not to smile too big or let her face become too red, Naomi quickly said yes and they planned a date for that Friday.

Initially planning to only get dinner for their first date, the night extended into multiple walks through Christmas lights, drinks, talking, and laughter. Neither of them wanted the night to end. Jon could tell right away that he was falling in love with Naomi and made every effort to see her. Initially worried that Jon was too good to be true, Naomi continued to see Jon nearly every day since their first date, simultaneously growing in their relationship with God and certainty in each other.

After just 5 months, Jon picked out an engagement ring he knew Naomi would love. He couldn't hold onto it for even a day before asking Naomi to marry him at her favorite park in Milwaukee overlooking the lake.

Jon and Naomi love looking back to see the way God was weaving their stories together in their deepest moments of confusion and seemingly small decisions. His timing truly is perfect.

After the wedding Naomi will join Jon in his new home in Cudahy to complete her design degree at UW-Milwaukee while Jon continues his career in chemical engineering at Brady Corporation.

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Food

Breakfast for Dinner