Believe it or not, our story began almost 15 years ago, when our paths first crossed through mutual friends and the adventures of being teenagers. We went to different high schools, but somehow always found ourselves in the same places at the same times driving aimlessly down backroads, laughing late into the night, or walking along the lake with our group of friends.

When college came around, life pulled us in different directions, but our friendship never faded. We’d see each other from time to time, unknowingly building the foundation for the most important relationship either of us would ever have.

That foundation became even stronger when Jessy transferred to SUNY Brockport, the same school Chris was attending, and by chance ended up living just down the street. Jessy’s house was crowded with six other girls, so one day she texted Chris to see if she could escape for a little peace and quiet. She probably should’ve guessed a boys’ house wouldn’t be all that quiet, but instead she found something better: the first of many football Sundays together.

From then on, we were inseparable. At first, we were just “best friends”, or at least that’s what we told ourselves. Everyone else could see what was happening long before we did (Jessy’s mom even called it early on). Eventually, though, we caught up to what the rest of the world already knew. One winter night, Chris finally said it out loud, and Jessy realized she had felt the same all along.

The next year was filled with love, laughter, and big decisions.

After finishing school, a few trips south convinced us that upstate New York wasn’t where we wanted to build our future. So, in true adventurous fashion, we packed up and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina which quickly became home.

Over the past seven years here, we’ve built a life we love: buying our first home, growing our careers, surrounding ourselves with amazing friends and family, and adopting two perfect cats, Shakira and Janelle.

Through every twist and turn, we’ve been each other’s constant.

It may have taken us eight years to make it official, but the truth is, we’ve known for a long time that we were meant to be each other’s forever.