The story begins as the benediction ended, at a church service in late July.

One pew apart, Nathaniel had somehow already made quite the impression.

Kristen, who had just started attending this church, asked if Nathaniel and his friend Eric were attending the church lunch following the service.

“Yeah perhaps we will see you there.” They in fact did not end up going that day.

Yet, these two would see each other from time to time as the months wound on and the seasons blended in their usual array. Impressions deepening, interest awakening.

By early spring, it was time.

In the church parking lot, the question was posed. With only some further ado, the two embarked upon a sequence of dates that ranged from pizza and wine, to home cooking, to mountain top hikes, to the typical delights of a relationship in early bud.

A relationship that only moved so fast because it felt so natural. Every new question minting a fresh point of connection between the two. Any conflict, opportunity for new growth.

Though talk of marriage had expected an autumn engagement, little did Kristen know that Nathaniel had already bought a ring to bring with on the Schalk family trip to the Outer Banks as the summer came to a close.

Despite the storms of Hurricane Debby, plus the tact and timing required to pose such a question, Nathaniel was able to propose to Kristen on their final day of the trip by the lighthouse on Bodie Island. A shock to Kristen indeed, though she did accept.

And now the path forward is clear, a marriage knit between two who are at the same time both very different and yet very similar.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate this knot, together.