We're getting married!

Our story begins before that Monday in August when I (Hillary) had recently graduated from grad school, was living at home in Springfield, IL and was job hunting. I messaged my two friends who lived in Columbia to let them know I applied for two occupational therapy jobs in Columbia and Jefferson City. From there, Becky let me know she already had my life planned for me, aka who I was going to marry. Well, I was already dating someone at the time and didn't pay much attention to this Jacob guy (however, I did look up his picture on Facebook out of curiosity). Fast forward to August when I accepted a job, had broken up with the previous boyfriend, moved to Columbia and was invited to meet some new people through a mutual friend (Thanks, Rachel!) Jacob and I talked a little, but neither one of us thought much of it. The next week at small group, as I got up to leave, Jacob made a point of talking to me and Rachel for awhile. I noticed he didn't have a toaster and thought that was the most bachelor thing I had ever seen. The next week (two weeks after the first meeting), I show up with a wrapped toaster as a present. After that, Jacob asked for my number, sent me a picture of toast later that night and asked me out for our first date. From our first date on, we were inseparable and we are so excited to get to spend the rest of our lives together!

After travel plans for spring break were cancelled due to COVID-19, Jacob's big plan to propose in Banff National Park was also cancelled. After months of planning, re-planning due to closures and limited group gatherings, Jacob finally had the perfect opportunity. I (Hillary) asked Jacob to go on a hike one Saturday as a way to get out of the house, but Jacob made me wait until 6 pm to go, which was confusing and honestly annoying. He blamed the humidity, but really he needed time to plan the location and to get a photographer friend in position (Thanks, Rachel!) After a perfect day watching Netflix, making BLT's and laughing a lot together, we headed to Rock Bridge State Park for a hike. What I thought was going to be a 4-mile hike turned out to be just 10 minutes to a beautiful overlook, Jacob on one knee, Rachel peeking out of the woods to capture the moment, and a beautiful ring in Jacob's hand asking me to spend my life with him. Of course I said yes!