Joey and Emily began as classmates at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in 2008 when Joey’s family moved from Houston to Omaha. They attended different high schools but then both ended up in Lincoln for college. Over the years, their paths crossed many times, through mutual friends and random run ins.

In December of 2019, their paths crossed yet again while Emily was back in Omaha for Christmas break. And this time was different. They had an immediate connection. Despite the fact that Emily was still in dental school in Chapel Hill, they knew this was something special. They spent a few months texting and seeing where this whole thing might go. And then Covid hit. Emily moved back to Omaha while school was shut down, and the quarantine couple was born. They enjoyed several months dating in quarantine, with many late nights on Joey’s balcony talking about life. Eventually though, Emily had to return to Chapel Hill. But they were determined to stay together despite the 19 hour distance, because they knew it was worth it. Joey and Emily spent a year apart, facetiming every night and taking turns visiting each other for those magical 48 hour weekends.

Finally, Joey was blessed with a new job opportunity and was able to make his way to North Carolina for Emily’s last year of school. They enjoyed finally being together in the same place, and vowed to never take it for granted. After an unforgettable year in Chapel Hill, Joey and Emily made another move to Cincinnati. They are both starting out new careers and are happy to be exploring a new city and taking on this new stage of life with each other. They can’t wait to get married, buy a house, get a dog, have kids, and enjoy the rest of this wild ride together.