There are two versions to every story—Joel and Candice are no exception. The two share how they met, their proposal story, and how they stay sane during the pressures of wedding planning.
Joel says….
I first met Candice on a Wednesday night at a College aged Christian event called C2. I had recently gotten back from my first year of college and was talking to the leader of the group (and who was also a mutual friend of Candice) extended the invite to me. Little did I know by accepting his invitation my entire life was going to change. That night was the first night I met Candice. She had a laid back kind of attitude and a very outgoing personality. Once C2 was over we parted our ways, but not before I first got a hug goodbye. It was one of those hugs that lasted a little longer than a traditional hug, like the hugs of long lost friends, or of a reuniting family member.
Later that night I decided that I wasn’t going to miss the chance to at least take her out on a date. It took me a while to track her down (stalker alert!) on social media, but eventually I found her and started messaging her. By that Friday I had a date with her, again another event that would change my life. After going to see a movie we decided to grab dessert. After a wonderful time talking and laughing we once again departed ways. I had made it all the way home and into bed when I got a text from her that told me that she had an allergic reaction to something she ate and she was on her way to the hospital. Perhaps some of you know of the decisions or moments in life that you look back on and attribute everything to—the decision I made to go and see her in the hospital (at 1 a.m.) is the moment that started everything. We were officially dating that following Sunday.
Candice says….
I met Joel at a college to career church group called C2. I had gotten a message from the youth leader earlier in the day inviting me to come check it out. I actually had a feeling I would meet someone that night, and because of that feeling I tried on so many outfits. Unfortunately I could find anything cute! So I went with my Brad Paisley concert T-shirt. When I got there I got introduced to a couple guys. Joel was one of them. He seemed really nice and asked me a lot of questions. I was thinking to myself, he’s cute but I would never have a chance. C2 began and it was a lot of fun. I stayed for a few minutes after it was over and then left. As I was leaving he was right by the door so I said goodbye (he was showing a video to a group of guys).
I got home and as I’m getting ready for bed I get a friend request and a message from Joel. My first thought is how in the world did he find me? He only knew my first name. But deep down I was freaking out because he had messaged me. We talked a little bit on Facebook, and at one point we exchanged numbers. Then we started texting. His first text message to me was, “Hello, this is Spiderman.” I knew I had to come up with the best response ever because I wanted him to like me. I Googled Spiderman’s enemies and choose to respond: “Hello, this is Doctor Octopus.”
From there on out we talked all the time. Later in the week he had asked me out. We went to to the movie theaters and he let me pick the movie. I picked 22 Jump Street. I was so nervous for the date. I wanted it to go really well. We saw the movie and it was really funny. We were hungry afterwards so we decided to get dessert. I suggested this little strawberry dessert, and we both ended up having it. We left after we were done, and I was hoping to get another date. After I got home I started to feel sick, and I couldn’t really breathe. I later ended up in the hospital and messaged him about my reaction to the dessert, not sure if I was suppose to or if he even wanted to know. He later showed up and stayed the whole time. After that we were inseparable.
Give us the details! When? Where? How?
Joel planned a scavenger hunt around Liberty, MO that recreated their first date in reverse. Joel and his friends hung up cards and written inside each card was a brief memory of them at that particular spot, a reason that Joel loves Candice, as well as a hint as to where the next clue would be. Joel included the church they first met at and the movie theater from their first date. Their first date also included dinner, which resulted in Candice going to the emergency room for an allergic reaction, so he included the restaurant and the front desk of the ER in the scavenger hunt!
As Candice went around town she would pick up clues for the next stop as well as items such as a dress, earrings, etc. Before she got the last note she changed her clothes and then walked up stairs to a candle lit room where they had first met. The last note read “As one chapter ends, the next one begins.” Joel got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
Michelle Russell
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
Candice: Looking at dresses and venues has been a lot of fun. Also looking at rings for Joel and deciding on colors and flowers.
Joel: Watching her dream wedding become a reality.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
Joel: I purposely wanted to be engaged for a longer period of time. I’ve had too many friends rush into the planning process and become overwhelmed. I wanted to take it slow and she agreed to take it slow with me.
Candice: Knowing that this process gets me closer to marrying him.
Michelle Russell
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
Candice: I love that we can feature our story as well as some photos of our lives together.
Joel: I love that people can RSVP online and that it formats all the information together.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy should last forever. What does that mean to you?
Joel: We love watching One Tree Hill together. In the show Lucas says one line that I think sums up how I would describe Joy. At one point in time Peyton (one of the girls in the show) asks Lucas who he wants standing next to him in his happiest moment when all of his dreams come true. Later on in the show after winning the state championship, in a crowd full of people celebrating and chanting his name, he goes and finds her and the dialogue goes like this:
Lucas: Peyton! It’s you.
Peyton: What?
Lucas: When all my dreams come true, the one I want next to me. It’s you. It’s you Peyton.
Michelle Russell
