Our Story

A cliff notes version…

It all started five years ago on Discord, of all places. I was running a community for people interested in pre-physical therapy, and she joined, eager to connect with others who shared her dream of getting into PT school. What was meant to be a place to ask questions and get advice soon became the foundation of something neither of us saw coming.

From the very first conversation, we were drawn to each other’s sense of humor. The banter was effortless—playfully teasing and joking in a way that quickly turned into a daily exchange of memes, game sessions, and movie nights. We spent hours talking, and the connection between us grew with every passing day. It wasn’t just about advice anymore; we found something much deeper—a friendship that quickly evolved into something more.

Things began to feel real when she decided to fly out from Texas to Tennessee to meet me face to face. I remember the excitement (and the nerves) as we spent the day hiking Cummins Falls, talking about everything and nothing all at once. What was supposed to be a quick visit turned into something much more. She came back for another visit, and by the third time, she was moving in. It was all happening so quickly, but it felt so right.

While I was away visiting family in California, she was settling into my apartment. It was one of those moments where everything just fell into place without a grand plan. I had been nervous, but it felt like the natural next step.

The early days of living together weren’t without their challenges. I was finishing up PT school, studying for exams, and figuring out the future, while she was just beginning her journey in PT school, managing financial aid, and making travel plans for labs. There were plenty of sleepless nights and stressful moments, but we stuck together. And, of course, our two Australian Shepherds were there to provide comic relief and constant companionship, teaching us how to navigate the ups and downs of life together.

Through it all, one thing became clear: relationships take work. We learned quickly that it wasn’t always going to be easy, but we were both committed to making it work. We supported each other through late-night study sessions, financial worries, and disagreements—learning how to grow individually and together. And as we moved forward, we discovered something even more important: we were growing together and building something that mattered.

When it came time to propose, I knew I wanted to make it special. St. Augustine, Florida had become one of our favorite places, a city that had captured both of our hearts. For her, the history and the connection to her faith made it even more meaningful. I proposed on a stone bench just outside the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, a spot that felt so perfect for us—a place where we could begin the next chapter of our story.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for everything the future holds. We’ve been through so much already—learning, growing, and building a life together—and now, we’re ready for the next adventure. More than anything, we’re excited to share it all: the dreams, the challenges, and the joys of building a life and a family side by side.