Like any good meet-cute, the timing was all wrong: we met in Illinois while Nathan was starting his doctoral studies and Jacob was ending his. Nevertheless, the natural chemistry between us turned our spark of romance into a flame. We spent the next year falling in love -- and most importantly, we got to see Lizzo live for $8 while doing it.

A year into our relationship, the COVID-19 outbreak went full pandemic and locked the world down with it. Obviously quarantine separately was out of the question, so Nathan moved into 1211 E. Michigan Ave with Jacob, Olive, and Liberty. By summer, restrictions began to lift, Jacob successfully defended his dissertation, and we spent the rest of our sunny midwestern days floating down the Vermillion River.

When Jacob needed to move to Fayetteville, AR for a job, it wasn't a question of IF we would stay together but HOW. Well, here's how: bimonthly 8-hour drives through Misery (our cute nickname for Missouri). But we did it, and the commute allowed us to stay close with our Champaign family and enjoy the charming views of Fayetteville from Mount Sequoyah. Over these two years, we also deepened our bonds with our families -- making many trips to Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas.

Jacob got down on one knee and asked Nathan to marry him. It was all very romantic. You should have been there. Some Champaign family even helped us celebrate that night with spontaneous bottles of Pride -themed bubbly. We were also very fortunate to have our family and friends support our intention to marry at engagement parties in Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

We cannot wait to continue sharing our journey with you at our wedding ceremony and reception. The wedding will be a celebration of not only our love for one another but also for all of those who help us nourish it -- that includes YOU!