Our story started a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…

OK, it wasn’t that far away, it was Baton Rouge.

It’s a story of near misses and “almosts” until a “finally” that is certain to be a “meant-to-be”. A story with too many similarities and coincidences that it must have been written by Fate.

In the summer of 76, Jennifer moved into her neighborhood in Baton Rouge. It so happened that dashing young lad also moved into that same neighborhood, just a few blocks over, that very summer. Alas, it was just beyond the dividing line that delineated what elementary school one attended. The first near miss. But we were just around the corner from each other. So close that we later discovered her younger brother was at the same bus stop as David for a semester in middle school! It is also without question that David and Jen’s brother David (confusing, I know) frequented the same arcade in the early 80s. Once in High School, Jen and David actually rode the same bus (a fact we didn’t relearn until recently). Jennifer usually got a ride to school from her older brother so was rarely on the bus. Once again, so close but no connection. We went to the same High School and graduated in the same class. Four years and not one class together. David knew who Jennifer was, but Jennifer had no idea who David was (if you saw David in HS, you’d understand…).

After High School, each went their own way. David to Virginia and Jennifer to New Orleans. In most instances, that would be the end of the story. And indeed it was for 35 years.

Fast forward to just a couple of years ago and David was traveling through Mandeville (See the Chick-Fil-A story below). Unbeknownst to either of us, this would set off a string of events leading to where we are today.

After all those years and near misses, the attraction and chemistry was immediate. It was as if the universe had been waiting for this precise moment. There are rare occasions when destiny aligns. But ours is not a love confined by distance. Despite living miles apart, we refused to let geography dictate the course of their relationship. Over the span of two years, we embarked on a whirlwind of over 25 flights, traversing the skies to bridge the gap between them.

Our travels spanned from the mountains of Denver and streets of Boston to the historic neighborhoods of Richmond and the lush jungles of Costa Rica. We explored the gardens and beaches of Hawaii and the vibrant streets of Dallas, soaked in the Southern hospitality of Alabama, and marveled at the eclectic culture of Seattle. And of course, we made countless journeys between the two LAs, Louisiana and Los Angeles.

With each mile traveled, our bond grew stronger, fortified by shared adventures and hundreds of shared love songs on Spotify. A daily ritual of shared messages encoded in music.

Now with hearts full of hope and anticipation, we join forces and set our sights on a new beginning in Santa Clarita, California.

Now we pack our belongings and prepare for the journey ahead. Jennifer's dogs, Ollie and Lucy, wag their tails in eager anticipation. For them, it isn’t just a move—it is the beginning of a grand adventure, filled with open roads and endless possibilities.

J&D