Our story started through the good ole instagram.


Our paths crossed when one day I got a DM through instagram from none other than Jimmy, we followed each other on social media but we had never talked before this, so I was surprised when I got a DM from him.


Jimmy was serving in the Marines at the time and I was finishing my second year at St. Norbert's about to attend nursing school at Bellin College. At this point in both of our lives we weren't really looking for anything at that moment, he was focused on his duties and I was focused on graduating college, but this was the kind of situation one would say the best things come to you when you least expect it and that is exactly what happened.


A few months go by and the next thing we know it is the summer of 2019. I am working at Fred and Fuzzy's up in Door County for the summer and Jimmy is still in California serving in the Marines. This was the first time where I was making money and living on my own, that's the sweet sound of FREEDOM to me, because I was on my own living in Door County with no parents to tell me no, I decided to fly out to California for the week to go and see Jimmy where we would meet for the first time! Prior to meeting in person, we would be on the phone for HOURS on end everyday for the last 7 months all that was left was to finally meet each other


We were both so nervous to meet each other, but when he finally picked me up from the airport it had felt like we had known each other for years, and no awkward phase?? what a bonus.


We got to our hotel in Oceanside called the Holiday Inn where we stayed almost every time I went and visited him and checked in! It was our first date night ever, and we had reservations at the Vigilucci's right on the water in Carlsbad also another one of our places to go in California. When Jimmy & I first met his style was a bit all over the place, picture a 5 star restaurant on the water (aka the one we went to) and Jimmy is wearing a pink striped shirt, tan khaki shorts, these ugly black air jordan shoes that go past the ankle, and nike HIGH SOCKS, safe to say that we got a lot of looks walking into that restaurant. Ever since that night we retired those black shoes and the long socks LOL.


Jimmy finally asked me to be his girlfriend on the drive home from dinner, we were just passing under the Carlsbad sign, I believe he said something along the lines of I knew you were waiting for me all day to ask you, so had to keep you on your toes... super romantic??? LOL


The rest is history.


I took every moment/break I had from nursing school to go fly out and visit Jimmy. It was heartbreaking everytime we had to leave each other knowing it could be months before we saw each other again. We always had our next trip planned when I was gonna go out there before I left making it easier to be apart knowing what we had to look forward to.


Distance truly makes the heart grow fonder.


Then comes April of 2021, the biggest test of our relationship. Jimmy going on deployment for 8 months. The month that we dreaded, we had many many conversations before he left trying to prepare, because in all honesty how could you ever prepare for a deployment and being away from someone you love for months at a time especially in this situation.


8 months of minimal communication, 8 months of having the thoughts of what if due to being in a war zone, 8 months of terror, 8 months of yearning for his touch, 8 months of constantly checking my phone everytime it buzzed, every emotion you can name we both felt it. I had such a hard time, and I could only imagine what he felt. No one truly ever understands the pain unless you have bee in that situation before, but it made us stronger than ever. 8 long months later and we Jimmy was finally home. Never felt so much relief to see him walk through those airport doors in Green Bay, hes home and he's safe.


We were coming to an end of his time in the military, he got out in May of 2023, I graduated nursing school May of 2023, passed my NCLEX and became an RN. Jimmy came home and went right to work & started school back up.


We moved into out first place together a 2 bed 2 bath apartment in Hobart, our first place together. It was so fun, he was finally home and we could build out roots down back in Green Bay.


The comes June and July 2023. I was on a girls trip and I randomly check Jimmy's location, he was at my parents then 5 minutes later his location was off.,.. I thought that's weird. I asked him why he turned his location off at my parents house and he had some excuse that I bought.. little did I know he bought a ring and was asking my parents, I always say I wish I could have been a fly on the wall because I know he was so nervous


July 14th comes around, I have a feeling that I am getting engaged because Jimmy never plans anything more than a few days in advance, but this was planned for two weeks. We were having dinner at Wissota Chop House in De Pere. It was a lovely dinner, and he randomly says we should go to your parents for a fire so I said okay I have to change, to which he says you have clothes there when I indeed didn't. We start driving to my parents and he's pretty silent the car ride. Once we get down the main street he starts playing the song, Big Big Plans and that's when I knew.


We walked into the backyard where rose petals laid with the words will you marry me? After that I blacked out for like 8 minutes, he got down on one knee and did this whole speech, seriously was 5 minutes and thank god I had a video to listen back because I had such tunnel vision I barely remember what he was saying.


It was perfect and Jimmy had the vision and his family & mine came together and made it happen for us, it was so magical. Our closest friends were there as well making it so special!


Fast Forward to May of 2024, we took the next big step in our lives and became homeowners. We bought our first home in Pulaski, WI seconds down the road from where my mom grew up, and from our wedding venue where we will be getting married, it was perfect.


We also got our pride and joy fur baby, Willow May Geniesse a girl golden retriever. She is the best bundle of joy and we just love her so much.


We can't thank you all enough for the support through our relationship together and we can't wait to celebrate our love with you on our wedding day.