During Aiden and Marisa's first few months of dating, they were out getting lunch when Aiden pulled out his wallet, and Marisa noticed a green Uno reverse card tucked inside. Marisa asked, “How long has that been in there?”

“I don’t know… for years,” he replied casually.

Now laughing, Marisa reached into her own wallet and pulled out a red Uno reverse card, its frayed edges proof that it too, had been carried around for years. They couldn’t believe it. If that doesn’t sum up how perfect they are for each other, they don’t know what does! Talk about the definition of meant to be.

Their story started in Denmark, where they met as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aiden had been out for 18 months when Marisa arrived, and they ended up assigned to the same area—Aalborg.

Their very first interaction? Aiden tried to get Marisa and her companions' attention by tossing a rock at their apartment window… and he totally shattered it. (He swears it was just a tiny pebble.)

Despite the special introduction, Marisa quickly noticed Aiden’s creativity and how supportive he was of any idea she wanted to try (and if you know her, you know they can be big). He was also incredibly thoughtful—bringing homemade soup (which was delectable, btw) when she and her companion were sick, and writing kind letters to them on especially tough days.

They became good friends fast! Aiden noticed Marisa’s kindness, her endless enthusiasm, and the creative spark they both shared. He also loved how she could lighten the mood in any room—whether it was with her (many) baked goods or the random fun facts she always had up her sleeve (usually about sharks).

After about four months of serving near each other, they were transferred to different cities and didn’t get to talk again until Aiden finished his mission in May 2023. That’s when their email era began. Every Monday, they'd write long emails, sprinkle in handwritten letters and postcards, and send each other little pieces of their worlds—songs to listen to, food recommendations (Aiden once went on a two-minute tangent in an audio clip about a Costco mango smoothie—ask Marisa for the full performance), weekly updates, and (their favorite) lists of random questions to answer the next week. Somehow, even with thousands of miles between them, they got to know each other better than most people ever do. Nine months of letters will do that!

Marisa got home to Las Vegas on February 12, 2024—and just four days later, Aiden made the five-hour drive to come see her (which basically says everything).

Their first date was simple but perfect: picking out snacks at Trader Joe’s (some of the many food recs we had dreamed about sharing), strolling around a pond feeding ducks at sunset, grabbing dinner, and exploring a bookstore. They were on the hunt for staple childhood books we could read to each other, which felt like a little piece of our pasts coming together. They ended the night under the Vegas lights. It was easy, it was fun, it felt like them. From that weekend on, they were pretty much inseparable.

The next weekend, they met in St. George, about halfway between Provo and Las Vegas, and after an amazing weekend together, they made their relationship official. Marisa took regular trips to Provo, where their days were filled with picnics, aquarium visits, butterfly biosphere adventures, and, of course, lots of cooking and baking.

By May, Marisa decided she couldn’t stay away any longer and moved to Provo for the summer. And those months? An absolute dream! They were spent hiking, hammocking, dancing in the living room, reading, swimming, and taking on some seriously ambitious projects together (like making 86 jars of lemon curd in one day). Their friends all knew that if they couldn’t get ahold of one of them, they could just call the other. They were always together.

When fall rolled around and school started at BYU, they figured out how to support each other through college’s ups and downs while still making time for fun. Even with all the schoolwork, life together was always an adventure. Because who says you can’t rent a frog-shaped bouncy house on a random Friday night? (Spoiler alert: they did.) That’s just the kind of excitement and spontaneity that defines them and their relationship!

While Marisa was still on her mission, Aiden sent her an email that said, "I do see things all the time that make me think of you. One big thing, quite literally, is the mountains. Right around sunset, they kinda glow orange/red, and I think you'd really like it."

Turns out, he was right, she did love them. Especially on January 22, 2025, when Aiden proposed right in front of those very same mountains, glowing just like he’d described. It was the easiest “yes” of Marisa’s life, and one of the happiest moments of theirs thus yet!

We couldn’t have made it to this point without the love, support, and encouragement of our incredible family and friends. From cheering us on during our missions, the long distance months, to showing up for us in all the big and small ways (like buying lemon curd from us)—you’ve been such a meaningful part of our journey, and we’re beyond grateful!

We’re so excited (and honestly still in awe) that we get to spend forever together. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, dancing in the kitchen, spontaneous adventures, and all the little moments that make life so sweet. Here’s to forever and lots of love!

With love and lemon curd,

Still feeding ducks and dancing in the kitchen,

Aiden & Marisa

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