Long story short, we were Highschool sweethearts… just not in the conventional sense.

We both worked at the same school for a couple of years and would have conversations from time to time, but were just kinda coworkers. Then Jennifer decided to go on a three year long trip to another school in the district. We remained sorta-kinda in touch during that time and generally talked about the crazy nonsense that happened at school (like that one time where we all had to wear masks and have daily google meets). After 3 years Jennifer came to her senses and came back to the promised land and we resumed talking, but like face to face. Then out of nowhere, She did the craziest thing… She invited me to go see a sad clown sing sad songs along with a magician who thought he was a dragon. Even though she had also invited another friend to go with us, I KNEW SHE WAS MAKING MOVES! On the ride back, Jennifer mentioned how she was about to buy a house and needed help getting moved… so I put two and two together, I said I would help (you know, to let her know I was interested). The day of the move comes, and everything goes smoothly until I am about to get back into my car. Jennifer asks me “What the hell are we doing?!” to which I reply, thoroughly confused after the clown show and helping her move into a house, “ are we dating?”. Turns out, going and seeing a clown, a dragon, and helping someone move into a house does not constitute dating, as none of that was a “date”. So I asked her on a date-date and now anytime Jennifer asks me “what the hell are we doing?” I can confidently say “getting married!”

Zach and I both had the joy of trying to find love on dating apps. We are so old that we both started using the app before you told anyone you were using the apps. The first time I saw him, I panicked. My worst fear had come true and a coworker had seen me on the apps! I swiped right and told him that we would never speak of this and not tell anyone. We both agreed. Fast forward and over the next 5 years we would periodically see each other on the app. However, each time we would start talking a bit more and even started talking more in real life.

On the last time we matched, I realized he was cute and enjoyed talking to him. Only about a week later did I find some army men in my mailbox at school. We had a random conversation about them on the app so I was sure he was interested! So at work, I tried to give him my number. He rejected it and said he would just email me instead. So I gave up and stopped messaging him. I was quite ticked he didn’t want my phone number.

Fast forward a month and he messaged me on the app. I replied with my number and he started texting me, but still no date. I had an extra ticket to a show at the Buddy Holly Theater. My roommate told me to give it another shot, but I was still ticked about my phone number rejection. She ended up taking my phone (with my permission) and inviting Zach to the show. To my shock, he agreed to come with! Then he even agreed to help me move!

On moving day, he showed up with a tool kit that he had thoughtfully put together for my new house. After we were done moving, I literally cornered Zach and asked him what the hell we were doing! He replied dating, to which I audibly laughed at and then shrieked in horror I had laughed out loud. I told him he had to ask me out on a real date to be dating. Which he finally did!

And the rest is history!

Thankfully, I did not have to ask Zach when we were getting married - he planned and proposed all by himself :)!