Who would’ve thought that two people could grow up in such close proximity without really knowing each other? It must have been meant to be. Jesse and I would meet years later, in the remote, small college town of Athens, OH (that has our heart) three hours away from our hometown.

Our story began the first weekend of December in the year 2017. The rest is history! Snow gently fell from the sky, but wasn’t quite sticking to the ground. A kaleidoscope of fluorescent Christmas lights illuminated the brick streets and reflected iridescent beams in the puddles of the part of town well known as Court Street.

It was night time, and I had been debating whether I should grab a drink as finals would quickly approach in the following weeks. After receiving a text from Abby Bower that said, “You have to come meet up with me! It’s my last Santa Fest!” I knew my fate was set in stone.

I threw on my XXL Christmas tee shirt with an alien on it, put on the ornament earrings my friend lent me for the weekend, and began my journey from Crawford to Court. If you know, you know.

I stood near the bar as I waited to embark on a night with the girls, glancing at the front door of Stephen’s each time it would open. “This has to be them,” going through my mind each time I felt the crisp, cool breeze. The door opened, and in a crowded bar was a familiar 6’4” man with jet black, long hair that curled on the ends. He was wearing a dark green sweater with white and red selburose accents.

Saving me from a dry conversation with a stranger, he approached. “Hey! How’s your night going? Are you waiting for Abby?” Before I could answer he’d interrupt, “Woah. Nice shirt!” and I looked down feeling slightly mortified internally, despite his tone being genuine. “Thanks, yeah, they should be here any minute,” I’d respond. He’d say, “Yeah, I’m waiting to meet up with my friends, too… I’m going to get a drink. Do you want one?”

For those of you reading this that live under a rock– the number one rule of college is always say yes to a free drink.

Conversation flowed naturally, and I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t shocked that he stood there talking to me for as long as he did. Somehow the conversation would eventually evolve into him finding out that I was single. What would one do in this situation? In true Aquarius fashion, he would say, “Well, let’s fix you up right here tonight!” and go on to ask, “So, what’re you looking for in your next relationship?” I would respond, “Well, he must have a thick German Accent and wear pink socks.”

Jesse proceeded walking around the bar, asking random men all over the room, “Hey man, do you have a German accent?” and “Let me see your socks!”

The entire night was engulfed with laughter. Looking back, I don’t remember if we even met up with our friends. At the end of the night, Jesse would walk me back home. When it was time to say goodbye, warm butterflies filled my stomach and thoughts would stream anxiously through my mind, “How do I say goodbye? Do I hug him? Is that weird?”

When we approached the stairs leading up to my place, I nervously skipped up a few stairs to avoid an inevitably awkward goodbye and giving him the impression that I was weird. (As if the shirt didn’t give that away already.) “Thanks for walking me home! Have a good night!” I would continue to run up the rest of the stairs and into the lobby, and then all the way up to my room.

A few days later, I knew I had made an impression. “Jesse Rogers wants to be your friend!” a notification from Snapchat would say.

From then on, at his own pace, Jesse would ask me to meet up. Despite Jesse not having pink socks nor a thick German accent… Eventually meeting up would lead us to take our first date at the movies, where I would almost get us into a car accident. (But that’s a story for another time.) And this would eventually lead into a night where we would share our first kiss, then an afternoon where I’d meet his mom for the first time, and other moments I both cherish and remember vividly.

After almost two years of unofficially dating, we would decide to make things official when Jesse got back from his internship in Chicago, IL. We’ve been together ever since.

We’ve had the privilege of experiencing so many abundant moments together. From first dates to 5th anniversaries, graduations to becoming young professionals, moving into our first apartment and then into our first home, and so many more. It only felt right to take the leap from partners to making a commitment in front of those we love the most, to spend the rest of our lives together.

It’s difficult to find the words to express the thrill of anticipating the next chapter to come. It’s exciting to think about all of the “next chapters” of our life for that matter, but for now– we’re doing what Jesse and I do best… Experiencing these precious moments as they come, both presently and filled with all of the emotions that come with them.

10.12.24 – we would be graciously elated with your presence.

Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center