Our story is a testament to God's existence (as I'm sure that many of our loved ones would tell you--it might take a miracle for either of us to get married).

Steve, having been single for 27 years, clearly wasn't the most experienced in the "love" department. And Virginia found love in the last place she might think to look--the frozen tundra of Wheaton, Illinois.

It all began one fateful December night, when a Owen Feenstra (one of Steve's Wheaton Wrestling teammates) and his wife Abby happened to be hosting Virginia and her roommates for dinner. Despite his track record, Steve remained one of the most eligible bachelors in the greater Wheaton area. After balking at a few less-than-desirable photos of Steve from his college years, Virginia eventually agreed to a date.

She arrived at Brick's pizza a few weeks later to find herself face to face with a poorly dressed, bespectacled stranger. As they sat down, smalltalk eventually settled on the subject of college football. The lump in Steve's throat grew heavy as he cautiously admitted his fandom for Alabama football. The air hung heavy in the dining room, as Virginia's worst fears had been confirmed. She smiled in disbelief, and Steve knew that he had dug himself a formidable hole. He had his work cut out for him. Somehow, some shared laughs, pizza, and pasta turned into a mini-golf date the following weekend.

Steve was visibly nervous as he pulled up to the curb outside Virginia's home at the time. So much so, that he forgot to change the music during their drive into Chicago. In the background of their impassioned conversation about mountaineering and theology was Caamp's hit song "By and By," which must have played over 50 times that night. The two shared some drinks and traded putts. Steve learned about the Enneagram, lost the game of putt putt, and left the night knowing that Virginia was one-of-a-kind. He had never met someone like her before.

Over the weeks and months that followed, a deep friendship and affection for one another began to blossom as they grew in their appreciation and understanding of one another. They cooked together, went to a Chicago Bulls game, played basketball, shared lesson plans, ice cream, and binge-watched Netflix's "The Crown."

That summer, Virginia and Steve tested the metal of their relationship by visiting 26 states. The two road tripped to Omaha for the College World Series, enjoyed a beach vacation with Steve's family, some time in the mountains of Bryson City, NC with Virginia's family, visited Furman (Virginia's beloved alma mater - Go Dins), Anniston, Auburn, Salt Lake City, and finally--The Tetons.

As the leaves began to change and the days grew shorter, our couple traded the open road and rocky mountain faces of the American West for the ring of school bells. They traded lesson plans, attended countless soccer, basketball, and wrestling matches. Life was normal, but it was better for both of them when they were together.

Over the next year, they made it through two Iron Bowls (Praise God), attended their sibling's weddings, and Steve learned to ski (sort of. With lots of falling). This skill would prove to be handy, as he later proposed on the blistery ski slopes of Alta, Utah.

It's truly been a wild ride, but it couldn't have been scripted any better. We are both so excited that you're joining us for our wedding, and we cannot wait to see what the years ahead have in store.

V&S

Wedding Day