Gabriel & Jennifer
Gabriel & Jennifer
Our Story
Our Story
A story book romance started by a magic tinder!
Jennifer Anne Hickman and Gabriel Dean Winter met by chance while living in two far away places, Omaha, NE and Quimby, IA. As it turns out, a small town military granola boy, who has traveled the world, and an ex military brat city girl ,who didn't know much about the farm or camping, really mesh very well.
The story goes that both Jenn and Gabe were introduced to the Tinder phone app by friends. And somehow, even though they lived 2 and a half hours apart, they were still deemed "a match." Late one night in September, they exchanged their first hellos. But luckily, they didn't let it stop there. Nerdily, they sent large paragraph messages for the next several weeks and finally Gabe decided it was time for them to meet. He showed up on her doorstep the day after his birthday, November 15th.
As it turns out, Jenn is a great planner and she put her skills to work that first weekend together. Knowing Gabe's knack for brewing beer, she started their night with a brewery tour at "The Lucky Bucket" and had his heart in the palm of her hands. They talked and laughed as if they were old friends and almost missed the play that Jenn had lined up, even after they had already talked right through dinner!
From that first night at the play and through the many more adventures that followed, Gabe started to think of the great story that they could create together.... Jennifer being the super hero she is, out mending children's hearts, and Gabriel there to mend hers through love and support. One year after they met, in a different state, down a gravel road, in front of a quiet winery, and with a little gold ring, Gabe asked Jenn to always be his partner in all the adventures to come.
This storybook is one that will make you smile. Since they've met, Gabe has introduced Jenn to flying by seat of her pants and Jenn has made Gabe realize that planning also has its place. They find a way to share laughter, heal tears, and compromise when its most important. The love in their hearts grows ever stronger as they frame each day with "I Love You" when they wake in the morning and at night just as they fall asleep in bed. Their adventures just continue to grow!
Gabriel and Jennifer, a true storybook love!
A Special Thanks from Gabe
A love for friends who have become family over the years!
Over the years I've known the importance of friendship and what it means to be a good friend and I've met some great ones along the way. Marcus Moulds from the days of him, D and I sharing a bus seat and then being roommates in Des Moines with Foster and Jake. Jake being a great friend and brother through our days in high school and DMACC in Boone. Jake, D, Jon, and Haywood shared many road trips and I think we all learned a lot from those experiences. Meeting Jason Cowell in the military after 9/11 when we were activated for airport security and sharing some of the scariest times of deployment with our fellow brothren in arms. Lee Gebhardt, who had my back in Afghanistan and whose served even more after my term ended. Manuel Barraza, who shared basic training with me and my crazy travels through California and gave me the great experience of a full blown Mexican wedding in Mexicali where I became Gabriel Barraza. My amazing California friends Tom, Sean, Mike, Ashley, Jen, Leanna, Danno, Maggie, and Sierra among others brought my California dream to life with all the support in the world! My friends from my reggae family Hiedi, Josh, Natalie, Chelcea, and the many others have shown me what it really is to love like a family should without expecting anything in return. My Costa Rica friends that showed me Pura Vida and adventure go hand in hand and my good friend Aaron Scuito who has shown me how great it is to put smiles on the faces of others.
As you can see, it would have been a very large wedding party!
With that said, I'm excited to embark on this great new adventure now in Omaha! Where we've already made some amazing friends. A place I can truly call home as a base to raise a family and be proud to grow some roots with my loving Jennifer. She truly does make my world go round!
Of course, last but not least, we thank our parents for everything because without them, none of this would be possible and we would not be where we are today! They are our foundations and have always been there when we need them! Love you!