Justin and Amanda or Jake and Mandy as some may know them met their senior year at Kent State University through mutual friends. Spending the last few months of college creating life long memories with friends, the two met when they least expected it. On a spring break trip to Dayton Beach, Justin and his friends decided to come down a day early. It was with their luck that mutual friends allowed for them to meet that day. As the trip started on a high note, it created an opportunity for Justin and Amanda to get to know each other better. Unfortunately, or fortunately, in that first conversation Amanda was adamant that Justin’s first name was Jake. With Justin finding this cute, the name play of Jake and Mandy began.

Shortly after returning back to Kent, Justin asked Amanda out on their first day. At the thought of keeping it casual they decided to try a New Mexican restaurant, La Terraza. The two spent the night talking away, so much so that after four hours the manager had to let them know that the place closed 20 minutes ago. The two looked around shocked to see that all the chairs had been put up on the tables, and couldn’t believe where the time had gone.

The two graduated from Kent State University in May 2017. Justin began graduate school at Mercyhurst University and Amanda accepted a job in Cleveland working full time as teacher in the special education department. Thus began their long distance relationship.

In 2019 Justin completed his Masters Degree as an Athletic Trainer and accepted a job at The PT Center in Akron. By the end of the summer, Amanda began her graduate program in Occupational Therapy at Walsh University. The two were together once again.

On October 23rd, at the place where their story began, surrounding by their family and friends, Justin got down on one knee and asked the easiest question Amanda could answer, “ Will you marry me?” With a new dress hanging on the back of the bedroom door, shoes pulled out and a gazebo decorated from top to bottom, Justin had it all planned. In the front campus of Kent State University, on a beautiful fall day, true love took its’ next step.

We are counting down the days and enjoying our journeys through life, work and wedding planning. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and look forward to the best day ever!