It’s not every day that love starts with a game of Mortal Kombat, but for us, that’s where the magic began. As fate would have it, I walked into the wrong arcade bar, a perfect excuse to reschedule. But, my hair looked too good to go home. There was no way I was missing out on this date. “I’ll see you in 30,” I texted Jesse!


That evening, we immersed ourselves in hours of conversation, fits of laughter, and playful competitiveness. It felt like we had known each other for a lifetime and that evening went by so fast.


Our second date was another surprise. After a minor medical procedure, I had mentally prepared for a day of Netflix and sleep. But, Jesse, proving chivalry was very much alive, brought over ALL of the carbs and flowers to my apartment. In that moment, between bites of mozzarella sticks and crying from laughing so hard, I knew he was the guy for me.


However, like any gripping tale, ours had its challenges too. The world came to a standstill with the Covid pandemic. Jesse fell sick, and life threw us a curveball or two. But our bond only grew stronger over that month and a half of being quarantined. Thankfully, we were still able to continue getting together from a distance via FaceTime wine dates.


Fast forward six months! We made a life-changing decision to merge our households, blending our fur-baby families. This move was more than just sharing an address; it symbolized our commitment to each other, even in the face of weirddddd times.


Four-plus years have flown by, filled with endless discoveries about each other and personal growth. Every challenge presented and met with mutual respect and a determination to succeed together.


Then, on a beautiful evening in May, Jesse knelt down on one knee and asked if I’d be his forever girl, amongst the Tennessee mountains. After a few loud outbursts of excitement, I shouted “YES!!”


As we embark on our journey of sharing the rest of our lives together, I eagerly await every moment, every challenge, and every joy that life has in store for us. With Jesse by my side, I know we are destined for a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness! Here’s to growing old together, cherishing every win, and learning from every loss, in games and life!