It started at a concert neither of them were supposed to be at. Bella had said yes to this concert on a whim, the way she had been saying yes to everything that year to get herself out of the house. And Jason had been dragged there by a friend, still new to town and finding his footing. That friend, John Soteropulos, will be officiating their wedding!

When the two of them found each other that night, something clicked. Bella, a Southwest Florida native, saw this as an opportunity to show this sweet guy all the cool local spots.

Bella said, "Don't leave here without my number!" And the rest is history.

From the moment Bella got to know Jason, she was struck by something she had not encountered before. Here was a man who had accomplished so much and yet carried it all with grace. His genuineness and humility inspired her. And through every one of Bella's ideas, ventures and leaps of faith, Jason's belief in her remained steady and unconditional. This gave her something she didn't know she needed: room to grow. Since knowing him, Bella has continued to blossom. She is a firm believer that anyone who gets to know Jason will always walk away a better person.

And Bella gave Jason something in return: a feeling of home. He had come to Southwest Florida not knowing many people, navigating a new town between long stretches away for work. Bella showed him the good spots, the hidden gems, and the places worth going back to. Together they filled this corner of Florida with special memories they will cherish forever. But perhaps more than anything else, she gave him something to miss when he is away and a loving embrace to return to.

Together, they discovered the joy of birding. At this point, they are known as the "bird people" to anyone who knows them. Something about being outside and paying attention to the quiet nature around them suited them both perfectly. Now wherever they travel, they find a way to go looking for new birds.

ABOUT THE BRIDE

Bella is the kind of person who leads with her heart and always thinks of others before herself. Creative and driven by nature, she spends her days running her own business and volunteering at a local children's garden.

She is most at home in the sunshine tending to plants, exploring a new trail, or enjoying a Southwest Florida beach sunset (she claims everyone must experience it at least once). Bella has a deep love for the natural world around her and has a gift for finding beauty in the simplest moments.

She is passionate about wellness, wholesome living, and giving back to the community she grew up in. And, thanks to Jason, she is also now a baseball fan. (Go Red Sox!!!)

ABOUT THE GROOM

Jason approaches everything and everyone with steadiness and sincerity. Calm, grounded and sharper than he'll ever let on, he is the kind of person who makes those around him feel at ease simply by being himself.

He has spent the majority of his career as a baseball coach, and it suits him perfectly. Teaching, developing, and being a steady presence for the people around him is when Jason is truly in his element.

Jason has lived in every corner of the United States, following his passion for the game from city to city. He has golfed at some of the most remarkable courses in the world, and experienced more cities, cultures and time zones than most people see in a lifetime. For a long time, through all his travels, the word "home" had lost a lot of its meaning.

That is, until he met Bella.