Jerry and I originally met through our mutual friend, West. I knew West because he was my brother Travis's best friend since high school. Jerry met West when they were in college together. West throws annual barbeques and that's where we met for the first time. This picture isn't from the first time we met, but it is the first one I have "of" Jerry. Sorry, babe, but Stryker is way cuter.

West threw another party in September, 2019, which is where this story really begins. During the party, while playing games, Jerry and I were hitting it off, and I was showcasing some of my best flirting. He, of course, did not realize at all. Only later after he made sure I got home ok (I lived less than two miles down the road) did he ask me out. Jerry took me axe throwing on our first date. I was Team 1. No need to do the math, I totally won.

After the party and subsequent date, my mom (who I was still living with at this point) astutely observed that since I had met someone, it had to have been someone from the party. She incorrectly assumed, however, that it was Andy. I did not correct her. I brought Jerry home for the first time for Thanksgiving, which is luckily when my mom noticed he was not Andy.

This is when Jerry really became a part of the family. His first annual OSU vs. Michigan game. We won, of course. He really knew what he was getting into at that point.

We celebrated our first New Year's together. At the time, I prophetically captioned the picture, "We spent the New Year like we will spend the rest of the year: in pajamas at home." How true that was.

When Covid started and I was "temporarily" working from home, I "temporarily" moved into Jerry's place. This was five months after we started dating. Luckily for everyone, but mostly Jerry and myself, I do not have many pictures of that time. Here's a rainbow instead.

A few months later, in October, having never moved out of Jerry's apartment, we got one together in West Allis, Wisconsin. We loved that apartment. Here is another picture of Stryker (Will's dog) looking cute in our sparsely furnished new place.

Then we brought home this guy. This is our little hobbit, Pippin. After dating for two years, and me begging for one year and eleven months, Jerry finally caved. Honestly, I could fill the rest of this timeline with just pictures of Pippin. Some may even argue I should.

His first Christmas with us, being excessively cute.

Turning into a big handsome boy.

Around here is when I started planning this wedding. You will note that we were not yet engaged.

We bought a house. It was really scary, I don't recommend it. I picked one with way too many projects that will torture myself and Jerry for years to come, but it's ours, and we love it.

Venue tours for wedding planning. Again, not yet engaged.

Still working on all those house projects I mentioned. How come no one has ever mentioned how hard it is to own a house? I feel like someone should have said something...

And then the moment we all (but mostly me) were waiting for: the proposal. A weekend away at the lake, with all our friends, and a surprise that made me cry, like a lot. It was perfect and amazing and just the best day ever.

Pippin was excited about it, too, I swear.