It all started back in July of 2020 with a dating app called Bumble. I never used a dating app before so I thought I would give it a shot and see what was out there. I came across Derek's profile and thought that he was really cute and enjoyed many of the same things as me. So, I decided to swipe right which meant that I was interested and if he swiped right on me then we could start talking. I was in shock and luck that he indeed swiped right.

On this app you had premade questions that you could ask them which I chose to go that route as I had no clue how to conversation with someone I was interested in. We did this for a little bit until he started up a conversation with me. We were talking for quite sometime and had asked me out on our first date at Plaza Jalisco in Chehalis.

On our date we started off with dinner, then we went for a walk on the trail and ended with listening to music and talking. That first date lasted over 6 hours. That was on a Thursday and we went out again on Friday and Saturday.

On our second date I met most of his friends at a birthday party. Which was a great time and we all had a blast.

Over the course of the next several months we had many great adventures from going to Mt. Rainier, a beach trip, pumpkin patchs, and many friend dinners.

He was in the Military at the time and was working on taking classes to become a lineman and get out and eventually get moved to Missouri where is family and kids were.

He got a great opportunity to go to a lineman school down in Texas that would help get him a job as an apprentice once he finished. I was still in Washington as I was teaching 3rd grade during the pandemic. We were apart of 6 months during this time and we made the long distance relationship work.

He graduated from lineman school and got put to work for a company close to his home town. In August of 2021, I made the decision to leave my hometown of 28 years in Washington and move to be with him in Missouri.

We have now lived in our house together for almost 3 years together and have created a great life together so far. We both could not be anymore happier at where we are at and are looking forward to whats in store for our future.

When we knew that we wanted to be together was when we could talk to each other effortlessly and we couldn't believe that hours went by. It was so easy and simple and time always went by way to fast when we were together, which we knew was a good thing. We had the same interests, hobbies and we got along so well with each other and our family and friends. He showed me what love was suppose to be like and how someone should be treated.

Thursday April 4th, 2024, it was a normal day we both went to work and then after work we had the youngest son's baseball practice after school which he joined me for when he got off work. During the practice he mentioned that he had to run into town to ge+t a new tire for the trailer. I said "can you do it this weekend?" He said " I just want to get it done." I had mentioned if we could go with after and get dinner and he said no. I thought it was odd but after practice he left for town and I took the three kids home. He got home and I was working on homework with one of the kids and he got home and was getting ready to go check on a swarm of bees that we had caught. He said "you going to be awhile?" I said I wont be done until after 8 probably. He said " I could really use your help." I thought to myself that he usually does the swarm follow ups on his own. I decided to humor him and go out to the apiary with him. Once we got out there we checked on the swarm and then decided to do a quick inspection of the rest of the hives. I unfortunately got stung in my stomach before we finished. We finished with the bees and taking off our suits and I was getting ready to step over the hotwire when he asked where I was going about that same time a bee was dive bombing his head. So, we walked a little ways away and I was ahead of him and he said where you going. I stopped and waited and he got in front of me and pulled out a box from his pocket. I froze and said, "What are you doing?" He then proceeded to get down on one knee and asked me to marry him, of course I said yes! It was the most shocking and best surprise ever. I had no idea that it was going to happen anytime soon as we were taking it slow. I am so happy that we are taking the next steps together.

Derek and I both work on our little homestead known as Zebert Acres. We currently have four Holsteins, pasture raised chickens, laying chickens, pigs and bees.

Derek works as an apprentice lineman for PAR electric and he will be toping out as a Journeyman in January or February of next year. During the week he works and on the weekends we do lot of projects around the house. He likes to fish and use the smoker.

Shelby works as third grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Pierce City. She has worked their for 3 years now. She enjoys her cat Petunia when she gets home from work and putting jigsaw puzzles together.