We first met when we started working together at True Religion. I had started working there part time, and on my first day, I left my passport at the store while doing my new hire paperwork! Jayson, found it, and when he returned it to me, he noticed that we shared the same birthday! The coincidences didn’t end there, as we both realized we drove the same kind of car, a Ford Mustang. From there, a quick friendship developed. Jayson is a warm-hearted, and genuine person, so it was easy to grow our friendship and share hobbies like watching anime and eating out at sushi restaurants.

At this time, I had just graduated from Miami University and wasn’t sure what I wanted in life, so I decided to briefly move out west and see what opportunities there were for me. Even though he and I were thousands of miles apart, we remained close in our friendship. We spoke on the phone often, we watched anime over the phone together, and sent snap chats daily- our current streak is over 9 years and going. Shortly after leaving, I realized that I wanted to be back in Cincinnati and really wanted to focus on finding a place in life somewhere more familiar.

When I moved back, through the same mutual friend, Nikki, we started working at the same retail store, Guess, and we were able to step right back into being there for each other. At the time, we were both going through break-ups and weren’t sure what we wanted in life, or for the future. One thing was for sure, and that was that we loved being with each other. Slowly, as we healed from our past relationships, we opened up to each other and grew a foundation of trust, love, and acceptance. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in a relationship and building a life together.

From 2019-2021, we explored life as a couple. We grew together and really loved spending time talking walks/jogs on the trails near our apartments. We tried all different kinds of frozen pizzas and rated our favorites, and watched all kinds of trash tv from Tiger King to Love Island. We mourned the loss of Misty, who is very much loved and missed. We went through all sorts of ups and downs during this time and within it realized that we want to build a future together as partners, for the rest of our lives. In 2021, Jayson proposed in a romantic, private encounter at the Naples Zoo, and we have been counting down until our wedding ever since.

2021-2025 has been a lot of planning and laying the foundation for a married life together. Jayson has changed careers and I have changed careers. These decisions were scary and hard to make, but with each other’s support and with the support of our friends and family, we have been able to make these changes and live more fulfilling lives. In 2023, I lost my best friend and soul cat, Marbles, and I could not have weathered this storm without Jayson. He was my rock, and with his compassionate love and gentle care, I was able to pick myself back up and be a better person. We even added another cat to the family to complete the cat quartet.

We are so incredibly happy to be able to embark on this next chapter in life together. It will be full of so much joy, light, and life that I know we can weather any storms that come our way.

Jayson- you are the most wonderful person I know, and I am so incredibly lucky to share my life with you. I look forward to every new adventure with you, and I cannot wait to be by your side as you continue to fulfill your goals and achieve your dreams. I love you!