It was a normal Wednesday in the fall of 2011, Wing Night at Mcsober's Saloon. There, Josh Leonard sat at a table in the corner when Jalyn Wine first walked in. As she passed, Josh leaned over to a friend and asked, “Who is that girl?” It was not long before Josh picked Jalyn up for their first date at Dairy Queen...driving a Honda Superhawk 996. At the sound of the engine, Jalyn’s mom walked outside, mortified. She looked Josh right in the eyes and said, “I’m trusting you with my most precious gift.” She must’ve had a good feeling about him because she never trusted “young men” interested in Jalyn. At Dairy Queen, Josh and Jalyn ordered a blue raspberry freeze and a strawberry cheesecake blizzard. The rest is history. They were perfect for each other. On October 11th of 2014, Josh got down on one knee and asked for Jalyn's hand in marriage. She, of course, said yes and the two were married on May 29, 2016.
Josh and Jalyn fell in love within the first four months of dating, especially after he gifted her a “promise ring” their first Valentine’s day together. It was not too early for either of them. It felt right. Just three years later, Josh proposed in the most romantic way imaginable.
In October 2014, Jalyn was a third year nursing student. Josh and a group of friends had invited her to a pumpkin patch, but she was busy practicing skills at the IV lab and prepping for an important exam the following week. Josh kept calling and asking when Jalyn could leave for the pumpkin patch. To finally coax an answer out of her, he claimed he “needed to schedule” a time for them to go on a hayride. Jalyn didn't question it at the time.
Once they arrived, they started walking towards the pumpkin patch to meet up with the rest of their friends, but Josh led Jalyn on a different path, one outlined with vases of flowers. As they continued to walk, Jalyn spotted all her friends and family hiding behind a big tree. That's when she knew. Josh painted white pumpkins with the words, “Jalyn, Will you marry me?” and got down on one knee and proposed.
Their first year engaged was spent apart. Jalyn was finishing up her fourth year of nursing school in Ohio, while Josh had just started his first year of optometry school in Illinois. Jalyn reminisced that long-distance relationships are challenging, but the best way to make them work is to always make time for each other.
Despite the distance, Jalyn and Josh started to plan their wedding. Preparations were long -- about a year and a half -- but Jalyn already had the most romantic venue in mind: So Serene Weddings in Ohio. She had attended a few of her friend's weddings there and thought it was perfect for crafting her love story as well.
Jalyn loved everything about her wedding ceremony. In particular, she was very touched that all three of her uncles, all pastors, played a part in the ceremony. Her favorite moment of the wedding was the “foot washing” ceremony. Both she and Josh are strong Christians, so they wanted to wash each other’s feet to demonstrate their servanthood – just as Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Jalyn reflected that it was very humbling and meaningful to her.
To commemorate the special date, Jalyn decided to gift Josh an engraved, wood watch with their wedding date -- the perfect groom's gift! The watch was a complete surprise. He casually mentioned that he wanted a Tree Hut watch about a year before their wedding...and Jalyn remembered this! She also purchased a matching watch for herself, as a keepsake to cherish and relive her wedding memories forever.
Jalyn requested the watches be engraved with a quote from Matthew 19:6, a biblical quote very near and dear to her heart. Both watches read: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate," also the verse that the officiant said before pronouncing them husband and wife.
What a fairytale wedding. We wish Jalyn and Josh a long and happy marriage. To love and be loved is the pinnacle of happiness and riches. May you never lose sight of this precious treasure in all your days together.
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