Most of you know that we went to high school together but didn't formally meet until we were both in college. This is the very first photo that we have together and at this point, we hadn't even had a conversation! I'm (Sam) on the very far left wearing a plaid button up and Jared is on the far right, sitting down wearing a werewolf mask! I have to admit...I had the biggest crush on Jared in high school and I still do!

This was taken the day we started dating! Jared wrote me a note asking me to check 'yes' or 'no' and asked me to be his girlfriend - and of course I said yes! I even have the note still!

One of our first trips together! We stayed at a beach house in Sandbridge, VA and got very, very, very sunburnt.....well, I did. Jared? Golden tan...as always.

We moved into our first apartment together! Jared also cut his long curly hair!

We became cat parents! Jared spotted Hemmy sleeping under a chair at the Norfolk SPCA and we instantly fell in love with him. Hemmy had three other adoption applications in so we left with the thought he would be adopted. A week later, I begged Jared to go back to the Norfolk SPCA and somehow, ALL THREE of Hemmy's applications fell through and we brought him home with us the very next day! Sadly, Hemmy passed away in June of 2024 from Lymphoma at the age of 13 years old and our hearts were shattered. Hemmy's original owner passed away when Hemmy was 8 years old, which is how he ended up at the SPCA. Every fiber of our being knows that we were chosen to care for him until it was his time. His brothers, Mouse and Milo, miss him dearly and not a day goes by that we don't think about our sweet Hemmy Baby.

We became first responders! Sam - VBPD & Jared - NFR

Mouse joined the family! After Jared transported a patient to Norfolk General Hospital while he was at work, a nurse asked him if he wanted a cat. At the time, I was begging Jared for another cat so Hemmy could have a brother. Jared told the nurse that I wanted another cat so we met up with her in a Walmart parking lot thinking we were there to meet Mouse (formerly known as 'Meowster'). To our surprise, the nurse handed Mouse to us, he was not in a carrier, and we instantly fell in love with him! The rest is history and he is such a blessing to our family!

WE GOT ENGAGED!! We were in France visiting my Grandmother and took the most stunning trip to Mont Saint-Michele. We walked away from the crowd and Jared got down on one knee and asked me to marry him - I said yes of course!

Milo joined the family! While I was on my way home from work, I stopped to get Jared and I dinner. My friend Sal called me and asked if I was still in the area. I told him that I was and he told me to come meet him at the movie theater in Town Center, as he had found a very small kitten! I rushed over and Sal handed Milo to me - he was so tiny he could fit in one of my hands! We waited for his mother to come back but after some time, I brought him home and surprised Jared! He was not happy but eventually, he came around! Milo is the sweetest little brother to Mouse and needless to say, Jared is the ultimate Cat Dad!