I am JP and I will be playing the groom in this wedding. My beautiful fiancé asked that I tell our story. So, I will tell it the only way I know how. Hope you enjoy. The date was December 31st, 2012 and the scene was Logan Wilhide’s lake house. Logan had decided one day to invite every person he has ever met over to the lake house to celebrate the coming of the new year. If you ask Logan’s parents about that “get together,” to this day they will respond with “we don’t talk about that party.” Safe to say it was one for the books. I was in the living room catching up with fraternity brothers and enjoying everyone’s company. Sitting on the couch closest to the back door I saw Sarah Cecilia Huether. She looked just as stunning as she does today. You could tell she was loved (and protected) by her friends. She was warm to anyone that spoke to her and showed a kindness that is rare in this world. This might be the part of most people’s story where they look at their buddy and say, “Hey man, I’m gonna marry that girl”. My story was a little different. I looked to whoever I was talking to at the time and said “I’m going to go kiss that girl!” Now, back in college I had this bit (joke) that I would walk up to a girl and say, “I would love to give you a kiss right now.” This joke served as an avenue to exude confidence and open to the door to conversation. And trust me, this joke was widely unsuccessful at Texas State. After mustering up enough courage (and Keystone Light) I walked over to Sarah who was chatting with two friends on the aforementioned couch (spoiler alert: one of these girls next to Sarah is the maid of honor Reba Rodriguez). I looked at Sarah and said, “I would love to kiss you right now.” Sarah’s reply was “Do it.” Now let me pause for a second here. As I mentioned, this bit was just to start a conversation, not to kiss the girl. I have never gotten this far into the dialogue to yield an actual kiss. But Sarah was different.

In my head the story goes that I confidently leaned in and gave her the kiss of her life. I am sure the factual truth is that I didn’t say a word and quickly gave her a peck on the lips. Most of you think this was the starting point of our relationship. Not quite the case. I can’t speak for Sarah, but I know something special happened that night. This was just the first of many times that Sarah stopped my heartbeat right in its tracks. We continued to see each other through mutual friends and I can promise you (ask any of the mutual friends) I never stopped chasing Sarah.

Flash forward to April of 2016. I am living in Dallas, Texas working at my current job and I am still thinking about Sarah. I found out that she had moved to Dallas around the same time I had. I re-downloaded my Facebook and sent her a couple of messages with my number in hopes that she would return my communication. Luckily for me, she responded. Just like the lake house I mustered up enough courage (and craft beer) to ask her on a date. We went with a group of friends to see the Turnpike Troubadours (She was born in the morning, late October San Antone). This was our first official date and there were many to follow. So, in short, that is how we met and how we got here today. I hope that if you’re reading this (and invited) that you will attend our celebration. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but if you show up on time and wearing a smile you will get to see me pull off my famous move. The only difference is, it will be our wedding day. Love you all, Jp