We have a long story - nine years long, to be exact - and it all started with a simple hand squeeze in the English hallway of Clayton High School. A small moment, but one that would end up changing everything.

Madeline decided not to waste any time. She made the first move (twice!) by asking Jack on not just one, but two first dates. The first? Hitting on home plate at Busch Stadium. The second? A St. Louis Blues game. Safe to say, she set the bar high from the start.

From there, Jack returned the favor by taking her to his senior prom while she was still a junior. What began as young love quickly turned into something steady and meaningful.

After a year full of fun memories, they knew life was about to shift - Madeline had her big senior year ahead, and Jack was heading off to college. So, they made the brave decision to part ways for a season. They grew individually, discovered who they were becoming, and lived their lives, but somehow, their story wasn’t finished yet.

The following summer, fate (and two adorable puppies) brought them back together in Forest Park. Madeline and Jack met up with Bailey and Dex, now 9 years old and still part of the love story. Around that same time, Madeline had planned to head to Boulder… but at the very last minute decided to stay closer to home and attend Mizzou. Jack will confidently tell you that decision had everything to do with him.

College at Mizzou was full of unforgettable memories, late nights, laughter, and learning how to navigate life side by side. Through every high and every low, one thing became clear - they were always better together. A team in every sense of the word.

After graduation, life tested them again. Jack moved to Colorado with a friend, while Madeline stayed in St. Louis, working at McGurk’s Irish Pub and saving for her own move west. Plans shifted when Madeline’s father became ill, and she chose to stay close to help him through his recovery. Through distance, uncertainty, and life’s curveballs, their bond never wavered. They faced every obstacle the only way they knew how - together.

When Madeline finally made the move to Colorado, another unexpected challenge arose with a serious leg injury that once again meant months of long distance and perseverance. But if there’s one thing this story proves, it’s that nothing keeps these two apart for long.

After months of therapy and determination, Madeline made her way back to Colorado for good - and this time, they were finally able to begin the chapter they had worked so hard for.

Now living in Denver, they spend their days soaking up the outdoors, chasing adventures, and pushing each other to be the very best versions of themselves.

From a hallway hand squeeze to a lifetime commitment, their love story has always been about resilience, partnership, and choosing each other - again and again.

And the best part? This is only the beginning.

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M&J

Wedding Day