Our story actually starts about 5 years ago. Nate was substitute teaching in Beach Park. I (Jenny) was teaching 4th grade in Beach Park and on my 3rd year teaching. Nate and I met through a mutual work friend at a Christmas party. While Nate and I were wearing ridiculous Christmas onesies we caught each-other’s eye but didn’t say much, but something about that moment stuck with us both. Several days passed and we saw each other again at another small gathering. This time it was a party with all girls who were making and putting on facials. Nate offered to leave to get some beverages and I agreed to go with. It was then that we had our first moments alone together, and what started as an easy conversation quickly felt like the beginning of something special. About a month later after a bunch of texting back and forth and more fun parties, I asked Nate on April 1st 2022 to be my boyfriend and he said yes! From that moment on, life just felt a little more right.

For the next two years, we both saved money to eventually get a house together and got to know each other’s families and friends, slowly blending our lives into one. Nate made a career change to start doing technology at the school district and I went back to school for my Masters degree in teaching. Through every long day, big decision, and growing pain, we learned how to support each other and celebrate every win, big or small.

Fast forward to March 20th 2024 Nate and I bought our first home together in Kenosha Wisconsin and moved in with our four animals, two dogs and two cats, who made our house feel like home almost instantly. In May of 2024 I finally got my masters degree and Nate was supporting me every step of the way while I had the privilege of graduating in Arizona. It was a season full of pride, growth, and gratitude for the life we were building side by side.

In December of 2024 Nate got down on one knee in downtown Chicago Illinois at the Christkindl market. He asked me to marry him in a crowd of over 500 people. Of course I said “yes”, and Nate put my beautiful ring on my finger and it fit perfectly, just like us.

Shortly after our engagement, our lives took on a new kind of adventure when we unexpectedly began raising stray kittens together. What started as a simple act of compassion quickly turned into late nights, early mornings, and learning how to care for tiny lives that needed us. In that season, we saw each other at our most tired, most patient, and most selfless. Those kittens became a sweet reminder that our love shows up in the everyday moments, choosing teamwork, kindness, and care, even when things get messy.

Our journey has not always been the easiest and some could argue it has gotten messy at times. We took risks and put a lot of faith in each other and the unknown future, learning that love isn’t about perfection, but commitment. But it’s our journey, and it has led us to choose each other, again and again, and decide on forever.

Forever and always,
Nate and Jenny