Closest to Venue
10-20 minute drive
Our Story
Aaron met Soryia in January of 2016 through mutual friends who had no idea they were quietly setting something permanent in motion. By February 5th, 2016, their connection was undeniable. Conversation flowed easily, humor came naturally, and what began as laughter quickly grew into a deep sense of understanding, honesty, and trust.
As the years unfolded, they stepped into adulthood together, learning early that growth often came through effort and patience. From 2017 through 2020, they spent countless hours playing disc golf, enjoying simple moments between classes, work, and responsibility. Those same years were filled with late nights studying, early mornings, and long days balancing school and life, quietly building discipline, resilience, and a partnership rooted in mutual support.
During this time, Soryia managed a fashion boutique in Rockford, blending her love for fashion with a growing appreciation for art. Through that role, Aaron and Soryia were introduced to a more intimate and often exclusive view of Rockford's creative spaces, including private showings, curated events, and local galleries that revealed a quieter beauty not always associated with the city. Together, they came to understand that art exists everywhere, not only in places known for it, but in communities where creativity is nurtured in unexpected ways. This perspective shaped how they experienced the world, teaching them to look for beauty wherever they landed.
In 2018, they traveled to New York City together, sharing the energy and inspiration of the city while deepening their love for exploration as a team. That same year marked a major milestone when Soryia graduated in December 2018 while working full time. Her achievement was built on determination, sacrifice, and countless exhausted evenings, all supported by Aaron's steady encouragement and belief in her.
Like much of the world, they faced uncertainty during the pandemic, navigating its challenges together while Soryia continued her boutique work and Aaron remained focused on long-term goals. Their bond only grew stronger. In 2021, they traveled to Florida together and soon after made the life-changing decision to move to Ohio in pursuit of better opportunities and a future they were building side by side. Throughout these transitions, their families stood behind them, welcoming each partner fully and allowing the other to become part of the family, support that further strengthened the foundation they shared.
In 2023, Aaron brought Soryia to Tennessee, a place filled with childhood memories and deep nostalgia for him. Sharing those meaningful landscapes allowed Soryia to better understand where he found his love for nature, while creating new memories that gently blended his past with their shared future.
The following year brought another defining achievement. In 2024, Aaron graduated while working full time, earning Dean's List honors after countless late nights, long workdays, and weekends spent studying. He soon began pursuing his master's degree, continuing the pattern of growth and ambition they had always supported in one another. In November 2024, after nearly nine years of shared effort, challenges, and love, Aaron asked Soryia to marry him, and with complete certainty, they chose forever.
Now engaged and looking ahead to their marriage on September 26, 2026, Aaron and Soryia continue to pursue their careers, travel when they can, and seek out art wherever opportunity allows, through shows, conventions, galleries, and moments of creativity discovered along the way. As they navigate adulthood hand in hand, they dream of the life and family they hope to build together, carrying with them the understanding that beauty, like home, is often found in places you least expect, especially when you are standing beside the right person.