Kirstie and I met by pure fate. No dating app. No set up date. We were just at the right place and right time.

I remember being at home on New Year’s Eve. I was doing the same thing I did every year, which was absolutely nothing. One of my friends was begging me to go out and I was refusing. I talked to my parents about it and they both told me “Just go and try to have fun. You never know what could happen!”. Little did I know, them convincing me to go out was going to change my life in the best way imaginable.

I went over to Paula’s house (Julie and Kirstie's mom) to meet up with them before going out. I remember seeing her walk into the kitchen and being in awe at how beautiful she was and at the same time thinking “I have zero chance.” We left and went to the store before going out; Kirstie and I walked in together and I thought to myself “heck yeah, this dude at the counter for sure thinks this is my girlfriend”.

Later that night, I remember Julie telling me “My sister thinks you’re cute you should talk to her” and I went up with the only thing I could think of... “You teach at Century, right?” (Shout out Julie, without her who knows if any of us would be where we are now!). We went out together that night and I gave her my jacket since she was cold (and I absolutely froze the whole entire walk to the bar… but I didn’t let her know that haha).

Right away I knew that there was something so special about Kirstie. I truly fell in love with her that first night. From how amazing she looked to her bubbly personality, everything about her was perfect. I’ve never been a super social person, and that night Kirstie got me to come out of my shell. The new year came around and that’s where Kirstie and I had our first kiss.

Now, Kirstie swears that I would blow her off, but in reality, I was just scared to get close to anyone. (I did kind of blow her off, but it was because of me and not her). Weeks later, I remember Kirstie texting me “If you keep blowing me off then I don’t think this was going to work.” Needless to say, from that point on I saw her every single chance I got without hesitation. From January to March, we hung out what felt like every other day.

On March 30th, 2019, we went to Bengie's, where I had the best plan ever to ask her to be my girlfriend… but I got nervous and chickened out (common theme right?). The next time we hung out was April 4th, 2019. We were watching a movie and I quietly and shyly said “Uh I have a question” (suave move, I know). Kirstie looked at me and said “yes?”. I got enough courage to say, “I really like you a lot and wanted to know if you would be my girlfriend?” Kirstie looks at me and instantly says “No".

"Just kidding, of course I do!”

From that moment on my life changed. I wasn’t always the best kid or person. When Kirstie and I got together all of that changed. She helped me to grow up and know what it truly meant to be a man. I became loyal, honest, and turned from selfish to selfless. It felt like every motion and step I took was now for a bigger purpose than just myself. She taught me what it meant to truly love and care for someone.

Jon-Jon

K&J