Our story began around 8 years ago. We met during our Sophomore year at UCF (GKCO) at a tailgate. We were both friends of friends and this led to the beginning of what would be a friendship and turn into the best relationship I could have ever prayed for.

Some weeks passed from tailgates and I found myself really getting to know this girl I would eventually be lucky enough to call my wife. I always remember a specific tailgate I could not make because I was studying for an exam (figures) and I noticed she asked me “Where were you at tailgate today?” Sure enough that tailgate happened to fall on her birthday, we went to the game and then a big group of friends were going to dinner to celebrate the birthday girl! It was that night I think my emotions started becoming real because I saw how loved she was by friends and we were able to have conversations that were a bit deeper.

Olivia’s birthday came and went and I found myself asking her friend about “Olivia’s situation” because I knew I was interested at this point. Some weeks of more serious conversations started to happen and more frequent texting and then Olivia had invited me on a grab a date which she still denies to this day. At the event we begin to have conversations about religion and faith and if you know me you know how important that is. Some days later I began to ask about availability because I want to take her on a date, it was during December so finals were coming up but we set a date after we finished our exams to go on our first date. The night before our first date we decided to hang out for a bit and watch How to lose a guy in 10 days; we talked so much that night and continued to develop a deeper relationship.

The next day was our date, I was in between cars at the time so I borrowed one of my residents cars so I could take her to Disney Springs. We got to Disney springs and I am scrambling to think of where we should go to dinner (lack of planning per usual). I end up settling on Rainforest Cafe and from the time we sat I don’t think we stopped talking, even after the dinner we just walked around Disney springs and I did the ever so corny throw a coin into the fountain. Although it was only first date just by how easy it was to talk I knew that this was someone special.

Those next few years of undergraduate was like a blink of an eye, we both would continue down our respective career paths with our professional goals in mind and before we knew it the time for graduation had come. During this time we both were preparing for our masters as Olivia pursued her career as an SLP and I pursued my MBA prior to starting medical school. The years of our respective masters programs came and went pretty smoothly, we found ourselves falling deeper in love and preparing for the next chapter of our lives, long distance.

Luckily for us we had already been dating for what had been nearly 4 years, we knew the next years would be a challenge and they certainly were nothing short of that! The long stints of 4 months without seeing each other in person was hard, figuring out some balance and time to chat on the phone was something that no one can prepare you for. We definitely made it work and arguably came out much stronger because of it! We learned how to be so much more intentional with our time together, making a meal together, praying together, and just making sure to focus on the most important things in life.

I knew for a long time that Olivia would be my fiancé and wife, it was just the timing that I wanted to make sure was right. I came home for a summer in between terms of school and I knew that this was likely the time I would be proposing to Olivia. I wanted nothing more than propose to this girl that I knew would make the best wife and an even better mother!

As we embark on this new chapter of our lives, we are filled with joy and anticipation for the journey ahead. Together, we look forward to beginning our life as husband and wife, surrounded by the love and support of our cherished family and friends.

O&J

Wedding Day

3:00 PM–4:00 PM

Ceremony

4:30 PM–10:00 PM

Reception