Gallery

After getting together on November 8, 2018, we attended the WJU Christmas party. We did a lot of events together as we both worked with the Campus Activities Board.

The first picture of us together - we met while both attending Wheeling Jesuit University in WV. Our friend, Karly, snapped this while Christine had a crush on Justin, and Christine was mortified.

Christine is dubbed "the Queen of Halloween" in her family, and she takes it very seriously. Justin happily partakes in a new couples' costume each year (the first being from "Beauty and the Beast").

Our first anniversary was in Cleveland, OH. When we get married, we will have already celebrated 5 years together!

We both had to transfer when WJU declared financial exigency in 2019. Christine transferred to John Carroll University (pictured) and Justin to the University of Akron.

After three months apart and daily FaceTimes during COVID-19, we were happy to see each other in-person again in June 2020.

We loved getting to dress up for Michele and Corey's wedding in 2022! This is the only picture we have together from the day.

Marrying a Mellick means helping with a variety of projects at the family's dance studio, Janet Hays and Company.

The biggest, most fun, most exhausting is always the year-end Recital. :)

For our third Christmas together in 2020, Justin's sister posed us for a photo shoot, which is where we got this and our save-the-date picture.

Our 2020 Halloween costumes are from "My Hero Academia" - a show Justin introduced to Christine and that we still watch together each Saturday when a new episode airs.

Our third Halloween was from "Avatar: the Last Airbender," one of Christine's favorite shows growing up that she introduced to Justin in 2021.

Our fourth Halloween costume was from Disney's "Atlantis: The Lost Empire." Michele thinks that Justin makes a great Milo Thatch. :)

We got engaged at on May 29, 2022, in front of the waterfall at Christine's parents' lake. :)

Several months out of the year, we attend an antique muzzleloader competition with Grandma and Grandpa Stropky. We only trash talk a little bit.

Ricky and Christine adopted litter-mate puppies in April of 2022 (Nova and Miri). Justin has become a full-on dog dad, and our favorite thing to do is love Mini Miri.

The day we got engaged was amazing and full of surprises. First, Justin proposed to Christine, then, Christine proposed to Justin immediately after saying, "Yes!"

Thank you Maggie for our beautiful engagement pictures, and thank you Almost, Almost Heaven for the beautiful backdrop! @MaggieAnnPhoto & Waterfall-Weddings.com

Christine graduated from John Carroll University in 2021 with her B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies and again in 2022 with her M.A. in TRS. Justin was (and still is) her biggest supporter.

After transferring to Kent State Tuscarawas, Justin graduated with his A.S. in Dec. 2022. He graduates again with his B.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Dec. 2023. (It's a busy month!)

Now, we both live in Dayton, OH. Justin is working full-time at Dupont as an Electrical Designer through KBR, and Christine is working toward her PhD in Theology at the University of Dayton.

We can't wait to celebrate with you! :)