Payton

Three years ago, I was passing through Denver to visit my best friend, Maggie (Matron of Honor). At the time, I was living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, preparing to move to Wilmington, North Carolina, the next month. Maggie, convinced that I needed to find love and move closer, set up a dating profile for me. Jacob immediately caught my attention, and when I saw he went to the University of Arkansas, I agreed to grab lunch before I left town. By the end of the date, I realized the unfortunate but exciting thing: I had to see him again.

Jacob

Payton let me know that she was only in Denver to visit a friend and was about to head back home to Arkansas. She was beautiful, kind, funny, intelligent, and a Razorback. I knew that I did not want to miss this opportunity. I planned a trip to Fayetteville before she moved. During that trip, while sitting by the creek on the greenway, I realized that I was starting to fall in love with Payton. I wanted to pursue a relationship regardless of how hard the distance might be.

Payton

Little did we know that would be the first of many trips to see each other. After our time together in Fayetteville, I knew I did not want to spend any more of my days without Jacob. For the next two years, we waited eagerly to visit each other once a month. I was grateful for the ways Jacob pursued our relationship every day, even when we were not together. The Lord continued to be faithful and bless our relationship. If I had to describe Jacob in one word, it would be authentic.

Jacob

We spent countless hours talking on the phone and planning trips to see each other. Distance was not easy, but it made our time together that much more special. When Payton had her surfing accident, I began to understand how much she really meant to me. I knew at this moment that I did not see my life without her in it. If I had to describe Payton in one word, it would be depth. She cares deeply, she feels deeply, she loves deeply.

Payton

I finally moved to Denver in September of 2025. Being together in the same city only solidified that Jacob was the person I was supposed to be with. We have been able to experience life together in a way we had not before. I have learned not to take any of our time together for granted.

Jacob

When Payton moved to Denver, I continued to pray about our future and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. We planned another trip to Fayetteville, and I proposed to her in the same spot where we fell in love. I am so blessed to have Payton in my life, and I can't wait to celebrate our relationship with all of our friends and family.