It was January. It was cold. It was 2018. Jesse had been playing monthly gigs in a band with Meg’s parents at a local church for a few months, and Meg had recently moved back home from New York and was joining the band. They never spoke to each other, but they certainly knew OF each other - you see, they had crossed paths a few times before. Jesse had played in pit orchestras for shows that Meghan was cast in, and he even ran into her after one performance and said “good job!” and got a cool “thanks, you too” response. It’s true that to Jesse, Meg was known as “Bryan’s cute blonde friend” (shout out BGR)... and embarrassingly to Jesse, Meg knew of him as “hot drummer Jesse” from a few productions they played together. Later on nearing the Summer of 2018, all it took was a little Instagram story Jesse posted on yet another watch-through of The Office featuring the Pretzel Day episode, and Meg slid RIGHT into those DMs. They talked the entire night and continued to talk for weeks before finally going on their first date at The Pour Yard where they made plans for their second date, a Hall & Oates concert the very next day.

The next year was full of firsts - the first time saying “I love you” to each other, the first “we should really look for an apartment to live in together”, the first “you’re my person, dude” type of conversations. 2019 rolled around and they had their first home together, got their additional family member in Ruby Ryan Stiglich, and really started their lives together. They went through a global pandemic, unemployment, self-employment, career changes, family losses, and so much more during the two years in their first home - but it certainly gave each of them a deeper love and respect for one another.

They bought a house and achieved their goal of living near the beach in 2021 - something they had always wanted since that first summer they spent together in 2018. They supported, and continue to support, each other in their own careers and business ventures, encouraging one another and helping each other however they can.

March 24, 2023 was quite the day. Jesse had snuck around for a few weeks and scoped out several engagement locations, asked Meg’s parents for permission (but misled them on when it would exactly happen - sorry guys!) and barely told anyone except a select few people about the plans. On that particular day, Meghan woke up exhausted after having terrible sleep all week and claimed there was no way she could go on the date they had planned for that night. Jesse went full duck mode - looking relaxed on top of the water, but moving frivolously underneath the surface - and finally conceived a way to get Meg to the exact spot he had decided on for the proposal. That night was one of the best nights either of them have ever had (they’ll tell you so themselves), as they went straight home after the proposal, popped all the champagne bottles, called family and friends, and had a multiple-hour dance party in the kitchen.

The love they share is immeasurable, and if the past 5 or so years is any indication, it will only keep growing as they move on to the many other phases life has to offer them. Jesse and Meghan can’t wait to celebrate with everyone on August 30, 2024 and they truly feel so lucky to have so many of you in their lives.