A Fairy Tale Love Story

I want to share with you a real life fairy tale love story.

When our son and his family moved to Northern Indiana in 2008, Jackson was entering the 8th grade.

He was immediately befriended by a group of three guys, Matt, Blake and Brad who all had sports in common.

2011 Blake, Jackson, Matt

2011  Jackson, Brad, Blake

This group of boys spent all their time together, often spending overnights together at each others homes.  The first time we met the boys was when they came over to play Christmas games with us when they were all in the 9th grade.  We knew they were keepers when they were willing to sing carols they really didn't know.  We fell in love with everyone of them on the spot.  We claimed ourselves to be their Louisiana grandparents.

2012

 Junior Year Football Banquet 2012

2013

Matt and Jackson

Naturally, the three families developed friendships, taking trips together and supporting each others children in all their endeavors.

Blake, Matt and Jackson with their siblings.

The boy's Senior Spring Break trip with all the families 2013

Brad played hockey so was not in the football pictures but he was his buddy's biggest fan.

Even mothers and sons enjoyed trips and outings together.

2014 road trip to watch Jackson play his first year of college football

Best friends together 2015

Families and friends 2016

Best friends even drive from Northern Indiana to Dallas, Texas to watch their buddy play in the Cotton Bowl - 2016

Best Friend reunion for one more overnight sleepover - 2018

Jackson, Matt and Blake all had younger sisters who were always on the scene and part of game nights and family gatherings.

Specifically, was Matt's little sister, McKenna.

In 2008, McKenna was 10 years old and in the 6th grade.

As her mother tells it, one night when all the boys were playing games down in the basement of their house, McKenna announced confidently to her family, that she was going to marry Jackson Day.  Needless to say, this secret was kept from Jackson.  To Jackson, she was always, Matt's little sister.

McKenna's mother told me that because of her long-lasting crush on Jackson, McKenna always wanted her picture taken with him at the football banquets.

McKenna and Savannah

Both Jackson and McKenna dated other people all through high school.  Once McKenna was in college, and knowing of her feelings for Jackson, Deana, McKenna's mother told her it was time that she follow her heart.  So her sophomore year in Nursing School at Indiana University, and Jackson a college senior at Western Michigan, McKenna knew "It's time!"

She invited Jackson to a sorority dance on December 1, 2017, and for the first time, they were together as a couple.

And a beautiful couple at that!

Evidently, this was a perfect evening for both of them and they spent a lot of time getting to know each other as individuals and not just as Matt's little sister, and Matt's best friend.

It didn't take Jackson long to know he wanted to spend more time with McKenna but was concerned about taking their friendship in a new and different direction with all the family dynamics.

So what did he do?  He called his friend Matt and expressed his desire to date McKenna but not without Matt's permission and blessing.  I understand that Jackson told Matt that he would not do anything that would adversely affect their special friendship.

Matt's response?  "We have been brothers since 8th grade Jackson, we may as well make it official.  I want you to date my sister and see where it goes with my blessing."

And that was the beginning of this sweet fairy tale love story.

Exactly two years later to the day, on a special traditional family Christmas tree trip, Jackson proposed to Matt's little sister.

We could not be more delighted with Jackson's selection of a life-time partner.

McKenna is a very bright, intelligent, driven, and strong young woman.  Needless to say, she is beautiful, energetic and loves the Lord.  She is the perfect fit for our grandson.

Dick's best Christmas present this year was being asked to perform the wedding ceremony of these two on October 10, 2020.

What a blessing that will be for this Da!

Part of what makes this a fairy tale is the fact that McKenna's mother, Deana married her brother's best friend, Mark Hummel, McKenna's father.  Also, the couple will be married on her grandparent's 61st wedding anniversary.

The Hummels are already like family, we just have to make it official.

Sweet, sweet story!