It all started in the summer of 2017 when two 17-year-old lifeguards met at Bow Creek Recreation Center. Jacob was the new guy on the stand with his “Justin Bieber” hair, and Kiara was already part of the team. They became fast friends, and it didn’t take long before they were totally inseparable. Even though they went to different high schools, and later, different colleges (Jacob at ODU, Kiara at William &; Mary); they stuck it out through long-distance calls, weekend visits, and all the ups and downs in between.

After graduation, they both moved back home for a bit, worked hard, saved up, and finally moved into their first apartment together in Marion, Virginia, in May 2023. Kiara started attending PA school, and Jacob joined the police academy. That’s where their little family really started to grow. They fostered two kittens, Jess and Logan, and immediately failed as fosters (in the best way) and adopted them. Sadly, Jess passed away in October 2023, but his tiny paw-prints will always be on their hearts. In March 2024, they adopted their sassy little cat Lilly, and by that summer, they upgraded to their first rental home. Then came Hazel, their playful pup, who joined the crew in October 2024 .Finally, they took the next step in June 2025, and became engaged.

Today, Jacob and Kiara live in Lynchburg, Virginia, where together they are working hard to build their careers side by side. From lifeguard whistles to wedding bells, these two have been through it all and have grown up together and now they’re diving into forever, side by side.