Ok with that response…maybe not! This WAS however the start of their conversations again. Steve making random comments on Jackie’s posts, Jackie wondering what this guy is doing, you know, the normal stuff.

The casual comments and conversations went on for a few months until one fine evening where Steve was planning on going out on a date with another girl, and got stood up! He just happened to be talking to Jackie when this happened so the first thing she said was “Why don’t you come out here and hang out with me?”. Keep in mind, this was a purely platonic thing, she was just trying to give Steve an option from the day to day of taking care of the kids and being at the house. He already had a sitter planned, so he figured why not!

He headed out to Castro Valley to the bowling alley where Virginia (Jackie’s Mom) normally bowls on Friday nights. It just happened to be their end of the season dinner, so right when Steve got there he was lucky enough to be told he had to wait for her. It’s a good thing Nation’s Burgers was right down the street or who knows what could have happened. Once both dinners were finished, Jackie and Steve enjoyed a fun night of mini-golf and catching up. Friendly relaxing time, perfect for what occasion.

Meanwhile Steve’s date was rescheduled for Saturday, so plans were once again made. Around 5 that evening what happens, you guessed it, Steve was stood up again! He messaged Jackie just to have a laugh, and of course she invited him out again. This time she was chillin at a bar in San Jose with her friend Hilda, reasonably close to where he lives. It took a little bit for him to get backup babysitter plans and once he did, he was off! Only Jackie had ninja’ed out of San Jose already and was back up in Hayward. Not a problem! Steve was determined to get out as there weren’t many opportunities for it lately.

One slight issue, Steve showed up to the bar where Jackie said she was, only she had left again! Tuning into an interesting game of cat and mouse here isn’t it? Well luckily this time she was only down the street at another bar, Buffalo Bills. A couple of drinks, some good conversations and a few caught smiles rounded out the evening. Was THIS now the spark?? Maybe not after a short drop off to Jackie’s car and quick good-bye hug.

Turns out, these two crazy kids were just a bit too oblivious to their own feelings. Hilda was telling Jackie “I think he likes you, I saw it in him” and Steve was sitting there thinking “oh she was just being nice, she doesn’t like me like that”. Well, as you’re reading this now, guess who was right?

Steve and Jackie have spent the last 7+ years enjoying all those special moments together, making memories together with their children. Lots of fun, cabin trips, food and laughs, and plenty of pictures of Jackie falling asleep the second a movie is turned on. They had a similar upbringing, liked a lot of the same things, and overall couldn’t get enough of each other. As crazy as it is in this world, they are a perfect balance. So rather than bore you with all the lovey dovey stuff, let’s move along to the ring ceremony of our presentation.

Things to Do

Mercer Caverns

Big Trees State Park