As told by Mo...

It all started at a wedding—but not our wedding (yet). At my friend’s wedding in Ohio in December, 2023 I met someone who had previously been living in Denver. He insisted I needed to join an organization called Twelve Step Recreation Association (TSRA) - saying it was the place to meet the coolest people in Denver. Naturally, I was intrigued. A place to meet great people and play sports? Count me in.

When I returned to Denver, I found the TSRA Volleyball Facebook group. I reached out, and who responded? None other than the volleyball commissioner himself. (Very official. Very impressive.)

He added me to his volleyball team, and that same night I showed up for TSRA pickleball. And there he was again. The moment he saw me, he immediately ditched his partner (sorry Tom) and came over to play with me. And honestly? I knew in that moment—just from the way he looked at me—that he was smitten (He’ll deny it, but I stand by it.)

From then on, we played on the same volleyball team, played pickleball together constantly, and he kept coming up with creative excuses to text me. Then one day he asked me on a date… a full month in advance. Bold. I said yes.

But we didn’t make it a month. We met up sooner for ice cream at Sweet Cow, and what was supposed to be a quick scoop turned into hours of talking and laughing like we’d known each other forever. That night, something shifted. No courts, no competition - just something really real.

After ice cream, he dropped me off, and instead of going in for the typical first-date kiss, he looked at me, smiled, and said: “Thank you for having ice cream with me but you were the real treat.” And then he drove off.

I walked up to my apartment, laughed out loud, and thought - This guy is different. In the best way.

Beyond the humor and the games, I discovered someone who shares my values, sees the world like I do, and lives with purpose and integrity. I saw the way he shows up for people, the way he listens, and the way he’s an incredible dad—loving, patient, and playful in all the best ways. My friends and family adore him. And when I’m with him, I feel safe. Seen. At peace. Like I’ve finally found my home.

So yes—it started with sports and sarcasm. But it turned into the most beautiful, real love story I could’ve imagined.

And now? We’re getting married. Game on.

As told by John...

It all started with a message on the TSRA volleyball page. She was looking for a team, and although I never respond to those posts... this time, I did. I not only replied, even more randomness ensued. I asked her to join my team. That same night, she happened to show up for pickleball.

The moment I saw her standing there, right in front of me, I tried to play it cool... but I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor. We ended up playing pickleball all evening. She was incredible to be around. She was different. And the best part? She was officially on my volleyball team, which meant I'd get to see her every Monday.

The volleyball season started, and she would come to pickleball some weeks - but that wasn't enough. So, I’d come up with excuses to keep our text thread alive, to make sure I was crossing her mind once in a while. Hoping to build some interest in me.

Eventually, I worked up the nerve to ask her out. A hockey game. A whole month in advance. And I made sure she knew—it was a date-date, not just a friendly hangout. And then I panicked: “Oh no… now what? How do I not be awkward until then?”

So, I did the only logical thing, I asked her to get ice cream. You know, really ease into a real date. What I imagined would be maybe an hour-long thing turned into hours of talking and laughing. She had me talking most of the time - that never happens. Everything just felt… easy. Natural. Right. I knew I was in trouble, right then. I remember texting my sister and saying that I met this girl and I have to find a way for her to fall in love with me.

What seemed at first as a bit of random coincidence, turned out to be much more than that. We were placed in each other's way. Was it Fate? Destiny? God? Yes, all of it. To be on each other's team, forever. WINNING AT LIFE.