I met Jason on Valentine’s Day in 2015. He was visiting his friend (now Best (Wo)Man), Jenny Smith, and joined our close group of friends for a Valentine’s Dinner hosted in a dorm room. While that would be the logical place for a love story to begin, it’s not where our story began. We passed by each other with little conversation – only sharing a quick exchange confirming we both like country music. A few months later, I received a friend request via Facebook.

In the fall of 2015, he returned to visit Jenny at IU again. Our group of friends was gathered for a movie night when Jason & Jenny stopped in to say hello. An hour into watching the movie, I felt someone staring at me – turning to find Jason looking right at me. Luckily, he covered his tracks with a suave "Did you know you don't blink?".

For the rest of his visit, I found ways to run into him again. Picking Jason and Jenny up from a tailgate, joining them to play pool, and chatting him up as we drank “lemonade” all night. Our conversation was constant, and by the end of the weekend, he had definitely made an impression on me.

When Jason left to return to Northwestern, he sent me THREE messages about how "cool" and "funny" I was. After that, we started messaging regularly, and finally started dating on November 21. Our first date was at the Art Institute of Chicago, followed by dinner at a Chinese restaurant where I ordered Sweet & Sour Chicken with the sauce on the side (shamelessly).

Jason and I were long distance for a year and a half before I moved to Chicago for my first job out of college. Since then, we've collectively moved apartments 5 times, probably spent 500 hours driving back & forth on 65, and, most recently, become PAW-rents to our dog, Cooper.

We're so grateful for everyone who has played a role in our story, and can't wait to celebrate with each one of you on October 21, 2022.

Episode I

Outside of a brief encounter with Livi earlier in the year on Valentine's Day, I truly met Livi by chance when I was visiting my future-Best Woman, Jenny Smith, at IU. Livi caught me stealing glances (staring) at her, but I knew we were a match when I hurriedly said, "You never blink," and she bought it.

So we began our relationship long distance; Skype and I-65 quickly became familiar friends to both of us. But, we only ever made the drive by ourselves; 4 hours there of nervous energy paired with 4 hours back of wondering if the other would finally decide that we were too weird was typically how those hours were spent.

Episode II

Our long distance concluded when Livi took a chance and declined an Indy job in favor of a Chicago job that had not yet accepted her. After she accepted and I graduated, we officially went from 245 miles apart to a 7 minute walk apart. It wasn't until then, 18 months into our relationship, that we could finally meet up after a work/school day.

Episode III

Since then, we have discovered so many things that we never would have found without the other. Some examples:

- Livi: discovered she likes tomatoes and mushrooms

- Jason: discovered Mayan Palace, aka the best taco dinner

- Livi: discovered that having a dog is harder than it sounds

- Jason: also discovered that having a dog is harder than it sounds

But, most importantly, we each discovered a happiness with each other that we would not have otherwise found. Everyone here has had a profound impact on one/both of our lives, and we are extremely excited to celebrate with you all on our wedding day!

They were always together; they were together when they picked me up. It was a rough start because we drove for hours and I also got a weird procedure where I think they took something from me. I haven't really been the same since then.


My parents have grown quite a bit - they finally learned what toys I like and what route I like to walk on. I've really grown the most though. My parents are both still roughly the same size as they've always been, but I've tripled in size. I can say the same about my tennis ball collection.


I can't wait to meet you all on their wedding day! Just throw my ball when I ask you, please.

Also, follow me @shabootie