Jillian and Ethan’s story began with a missed call on August 21, 2023. Jillian was living and working in Vernal, Utah and was looking for a new job, and fast. She had sent in her resume to a staffing company, not really knowing what would come out of it. On the day of the 21st, she was out performing wetland delineations in a remote location that didn’t have cell signal. When she got back to the truck and checked her voicemail, she was met with the thickest twang she had ever heard in her life.. “Hi, this is Ethan Sessums, your resume just came across my desk…”. She immediately called back, spoke to the man she assumed was in his late 50s, interviewed, accepted the job, and had 2 weeks to get to settled in to her new life in New Mexico. A few days before her start date, Ethan had called again, asking if she would be interested in attending a cookout prior to her start date, so she could meet everyone she would be working with. Upon arrival, she sees this handsome lookin guy start walking up to her truck. “Must be the neighbor kid or something” she distinctly remembers thinking. She gets out of the truck, and Ethan introduces himself. Much to Jillian’s surprise, Ethan was not an old man, but an attractive young one…

Work starts, months go by, and Ethan won’t even look Jillian in the eye, much less speak to her about anything non-work related. She just assumed that for some reason, Ethan must not like her very much. In January of 2024, they get put on a day long project together. They spent the day working, and catching up on conversations not had in previous months, and just really seemed to click. The next weekend, Ethan sent a message in the office groupchat asking if anyone wanted to go for a drink (conveniently, everyone else was out of town). Jillian agreed, and they spent the afternoon together talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. The next weekend, they did the same. One night, after a dinner at Ethan’s house with a few other coworkers, everyone had left and Jillian and Ethan were sitting on the barstools in the garage, and she noticed that he was acting a little off. Out of nowhere, Ethan professed “I’m interested in you romantically…”. Not really know what to say, Jillian just smiled and agreed to go on a date.

The first date felt more like a job interview, Jillian recalls. Just sitting there getting hammered with all types of questions, as Ethan thinks of everything he could possibly ever ask her. Jillian went home disappointed that evening, thinking that the date had flopped (spoiler alert, it was the opposite). After that, they saw each other every single day, but it had to be in secret, due to the complications at work. Ethan worried he would get fired, so jillian offered to look for a new job, as she had a feeling that Ethan would be in her life forever. Finally, Ethan confessed to management that they were in a relationship, and to their surprise, upper management was supportive. Finally, the relationship could be public.

From there, every second of everyday was spent together. An entire year of working together, evenings together, weekends together, everything. Then, in March of 2025, Jillian was offered a position at a new agency that she could not refuse, she accepted it, and started her new job in April of 2025. No more working together. She spent few days out of town for orientation and missed Ethan like she’d miss her right hand.

On April 6, 2025, the pair were winding down from a fun weekend of quality time, yard work, and entertaining dogs who seem to need the same amount of attention as a new born baby. They were watching a show where a Widower was listing all the reasons he loved his late wife. Jillian paused the TV, turned to Ethan, and asked “why do you love me”. They talked about their love, their relationship, and the future. Not long after, Ethan asked Jillian if she wanted something to drink, she said yes, and Ethan walked into the garage (Jillian unknowing that the ring was hidden in there). Ethan returned, got on one knee and said “I don’t see why I would wait anymore. I love you more than anything, will you marry me”. Jillian was hit with a flux of emotions. Tears, followed by laughter, followed by smiling until her face was sore.

We are so excited to celebrate this love with you at our wedding!