Our Story - Greg's Version

Maddie and I first met while working for the same hospitality company. She was bartending downstairs, and I was the barback manager upstairs. Even though we worked in different parts of the building, I always noticed her. There was something about her that caught my attention from the start. She was hard working, focused, and had this energy that made her stand out. I would see her around, and even though I wanted to talk to her, I never really got the chance until our yearly company party. That night, I finally had the nerve to walk up and say hello. From that moment on, her personality was like a magnet for me. She was funny, beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and incredibly spontaneous.

I knew early on that Maddie was different. As we grew closer, I found myself constantly realizing how special she is, in small and big ways. Whether we’re working, spending time at the gym, celebrating a date night, or just being together, everything she does comes from the bottom of her heart. She’s intentional in the way she loves, and she has this ability to bring out the best in me just by being herself.

Anyways, we quickly became close friends while navigating a crazy nightlife schedule, and even though I was falling for her, our priorities weren’t in the right place yet. We were both working nonstop, chasing success, and trying to figure out who we were in the middle of all the chaos. Maintaining a healthy relationship in the nightlife lifestyle became harder and harder, even though the love was there. Eventually, I moved into baseball coaching full-time, and Maddie started her first official business job after graduation. Things were busy, unpredictable, and honestly, a little chaotic. Looking back, it’s clear we weren’t prioritizing each other or God in the ways we truly wanted to.

And then something happened that I’ll never forget. One day, I got a notification on my phone saying Maddie had been in a car accident. I had no idea that I was still listed as her emergency contact, but when I saw that notification and the location drop, I immediately rushed to her. When I pulled up to see her, all I could think about was making sure she was okay. That moment, as scary as it was, became the start of everything. We started going to church every Sunday, got baptized together, and began to grow in our faith, our relationship, and our priorities. It’s amazing to look back and see how God used that moment to realign our paths and bring us together in a way only He could.

Over time, our love grew in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Maddie reminds me daily to be present, to trust in God, and to not stress over things I can’t control. She’s the glue that holds everything together, the one who keeps me grounded while pushing me to grow. When we started dating, she told me that pursuing Jesus was a non-negotiable—and I said, “Sign me up.” That decision changed my life. I give her so much credit for helping me take that step and grow in my faith and purpose.

When it came time to propose, I knew I wanted it to be something special. I had ‘the conversation’ with her dad at one of our regular Bob Evans breakfast dates, and he gave me his blessing. I then worked with her sister, Abby, to design the perfect ring, and then planned with her family to surprise her during our family beach vacation in Seaside, Florida. Everyone was in on it except Maddie. I even had her mom throw her off the scent so she wouldn’t expect it. On the day of the proposal, her brother helped set up the perfect spot, and I hid the ring box in my back pocket, praying she wouldn’t notice. When we started walking down the beach for what she thought were family pictures, I turned to her and said, “You know how much I love you, right?” and dropped to one knee. She, of course, says yes, and that moment will forever be one of the best of my life.

Looking forward, i’m so excited for what’s ahead. To build a home together, to lay down roots, to grow a family centered around God and love. I look forward to waking up every day beside my best friend, my teammate, and my future wife. Maddie makes me want to be a better man in every way, and I know that with her by my side, our future will be full of funny jokes, an occasional Borat quote, joy, and purpose. She is the woman of my dreams and I am so excited to marry her.

My prayer for Maddie:

I pray for her to be healthy, strong, and mentally and physically happy for the rest of her life. I pray that God will continue to put the right people into her life to help her reach the goals she’s chasing. I pray for a strong, loving marriage and for her to be the best wife and future mom she can possibly be. I pray that she always remembers how amazing she is and how much she means to me. I pray that God rewards her for her love, her sacrifice, and her hard work. Most of all, I pray for a long and loving life with my partner and best friend.

Our Story - Maddie's Version

I knew of Greg long before we ever officially met. From what I knew, he was extremely hard working, outgoing, and joyful all the time. We worked for the same hospitality group—I was bartending downstairs, and he was the barback manager upstairs. We both worked long hours, and I remember noticing how quickly he moved up within the company. In an industry where staff came and went constantly, his work ethic stood out. Honestly, that was the first thing I was attracted to.

We officially met at the company’s yearly party. That night, Greg came up to me, and we immediately hit it off. Later in the night, I’ll never forget the moment the owner got on the mic and started teasing him in front of everyone, yelling, “Look at Greg! He’s got no game!” I don’t even know what came over me, but since we were both very well known and well respected employees in the company, I decided to play along. I stepped over, and kissed him right there in front of everyone, and the whole room erupted “OOOO GREG’S GOT GAME!” It felt like a scene straight out of a movie, and we laughed about it for the rest of the night.

The months after that were full of transition for both of us. I had just graduated, was starting my first business job, and Greg was beginning his career as a baseball coach. We were both stepping out of the nightlife industry and into new chapters. Life took us in different directions for a while, but God had a plan. At the end of 2023, I was in a car accident, and what happened next still gives me chills. Greg was still listed as my emergency contact in my phone, and apparently, when that happens, they get a text with your location. Minutes after the accident, Greg pulled up in his Jeep, got out, and wrapped me in a hug. That was the beginning of everything. I always say it was the best accident in the history of car accidents, because it brought me my future husband. It’s such a testimony to how God can turn something terrifying into something beautiful.

From that moment on, my life changed dramatically. We began going to church every Sunday, got baptized together, and started growing in our faith and our relationship. There was something about Greg that I was in love with that I couldn’t explain. I remember telling my grandma at my graduation party, even before that accident, that if I didn’t marry him, I still wanted to marry someone exactly like him. I had never met someone who radiated joy the way he did, someone who made me laugh endlessly, who saw me fully and loved me exactly as I was.

Greg has taught me what it truly means to trust someone. I’ve always been a “do it myself” kind of girl, but he’s shown me that relying on someone doesn’t mean losing independence, it means sharing life with a partner who brings steadiness and peace to every season. Even through challenges, his calm presence always helps me find my way back to joy.

When Greg proposed, it was the most magical and unexpected moment. He had told me it would happen sometime in 2025, so I promised to keep my nails done all year, just in case. I thought it might be in the fall, but he completely surprised me on May 25th, during my family vacation in Seaside, Florida (my favorite place on earth). He remembered I’d always dreamed of being proposed to on the beach. My family told me we were taking family photos, and when we were walking on the beach with the photographer, Greg turned toward me and said, “You know how much I love you, right?” and I knew. It was the most perfect moment.

Looking ahead, I’m most excited to keep building a life with the man of my dreams. We have so many goals and dreams that already feel bigger than us, but when I look back at everything we’ve built so far, I know anything is possible. I can’t wait to build our home, our business, and eventually our family — to be the mother of Greg’s children and to continue walking hand in hand with him through all that God has in store for us.

My prayer for Greg:

My prayer for Greg is that he continues to grow into the man he wants to be and accomplish all of his dreams. I pray that God continues to bless him, his goals, and his heart, and that he always feels supported and loved in our life together. I pray that God remains at the center of our marriage and that Greg always feels His peace and presence. I pray that he becomes the father and husband he dreams of being and that I can do everything in my power to support him as a person, a professional, a business owner, and a man of God.