In 2022 I accepted a job offer from Transition Link where I’d be placed in the Lee County Jail helping inmates with various needs pertaining to successful re-entry into the community. On my first day I remember walking into the jail and seeing this extremely handsome man sitting at the booking desk and telling myself that I could never have someone who was that attractive. Months go by and I’m slowly getting to know my new coworkers, and discovering that the man I seen on my first day is Steven. After a year or so I’m invited to go play bingo with them after work. I intentionally sit across from the empty chair at our table, knowing that Steven is running late and will have to sit across from me. When he arrives he goes up to get a drink, so I proceed to stamp his card for him and make sure he knows it when he comes back 😁 After bingo nobody in our group wanted to go out for drinks, but Steven said he’d go with me. From there on out we started meeting up for drinks “just as coworkers.” In July I invite Steven to the Lee County Fair with my friends and I and hangout at my house. The next morning I send him a snapchat of Casper chewing on his sock, and you would have thought that sock was his prized possession b/c he insisted on hanging out again so that he could get it back 😂 From there on out we become a couple and he introduces me to the sweetest little girl, his daughter Braelynn. Watching him be a father and loving that little girl the way that he does, on top of my family taking him in as their own really sold it for me. Also, he became Casper’s favorite so how could I say no? Fast forward 6 months later and Steven proposes, it was the easiest decision of my life. Not only do I get to marry the love of my life but also my best friend, and there’s nothing better than that.

Our story started at the Lee County Jail with a simple “good morning” as I sped walked by Jordyn’s office. I wanted her to notice me but I was shy and honestly intimidated by her. She had this look on her face that said don’t bother me but she was so beautiful. So every day that I worked I made sure to say good morning and then get the heck out of there. That went on for what seemed like forever. Fast forward, Jordyn started getting closer with my coworkers and they started inviting her to our family dinners. I remember the first one, I showed up late because I had to catch a pump so I looked my best. All the seats were taken around her so I had to sit at a different table. But plans were made for us all to go out to bingo and have some drinks. This was my chance to get to know her alittle better since I would have some liquid encouragement in me. I of course was late. When I finally got there and got to our table Jordyn was filling out my cards for me and the empty seat was by her. Excitement and nervousness filled me. The night was coming to an end but Jordyn and I weren’t done having drinks so she asked if anyone wanted to go to the Stumble Inn for more drinks. I was the only taker. That was the first of more than a few late nights as “just coworkers”. Fast forward to the Lee county fair week. Jordyn messaged me about coming to the band at the fair. I didn’t want to seem to eager so I first said I wasn’t going to go. I bounced the idea off a friend and he told me I should go. So I did. That night changed everything. After the concert we closed down the stumble. I took her home and got her door for her. She gave me a hug good bye and I planted a kiss on her. While driving home and feeling like the absolute man she texted me and told me to come back. I packed me a bag  and hurried back to her place. Maybe it was the booze or maybe it was the safe feeling and the feeling of being heard without being judged but I was able to open up to her and let her in like I’ve never done before. After that night I looked for every excuse to try to see her again so naturally when I left a sock there it became my favorite sock and I needed it back bad. We started hanging out more at my house first watching movies then having deck dates at hers. She became my peace. We would be watching a movie and I’d lay on her and instantly fall asleep. Snoring and drooling deep sleep. I caught strong feelings for her so one night I decide I’m going to tell her. So I say I think I love you. This woman looks at me and says “that’s nice.” That’s it! Talk about embarrassing. But the next day she tells me she loves me too. This woman quickly became my best friend and I couldn’t get enough of her so with her parent’s and Austin’s permission, I asked her to marry me right on her kitchen floor. She made me the luckiest man in the world. How many other people get to honestly marry their best friend and receive an amazing family. Not only did I gain Jordyn but I also gained a great family that treats me and my daughter as their own. It’s because of all these things I will love this woman forever plus a day