On September 9th, 2021, T’Elle and J.T. met for the first time. T’Elle was in Helena attending a graduation ceremony for new Troopers. J.T. was also at this graduation, but he was just starting the Montana Highway Patrol’s Advanced Academy as a new cadet. J.T. approached T’Elle and introduced himself as he was going to be stationed in the same detachment that T’Elle worked in. T’Elle didn’t think much of it as most people who work in the eastern part of Montana leave as quickly as possible.

J.T. graduated from the academy and showed up to work in May of 2022. T’Elle and J.T. became fast friends and were spending a lot time with each other outside of work, mostly hunting and fishing, with a snowboarding and Las Vegas trip thrown in the mix. This went on for over a year until March 2023 when T’Elle had finally had enough of J.T.’s shy attempts at flirting. Her words were, “don’t talk about it, be about it.” The day finally came! J.T. summoned the courage to kiss T’Elle on March 27th, 2023. Since then, the two have become inseparable.

In July 2023 the house J.T. was renting was sold. With nowhere to go, JT with his two dogs in tow took a leap of faith and moved in with T’Elle and her two dogs! Since then, they’ve already created so many memories and have found out they make a great team. This has been tested several times through landscaping projects, putting a new roof on the house together, and spending over 12 hours in the 100+ degree attic removing wet insulation. Through it all, their love for each other has never waivered.

Over the last two and a half years, J.T. and T’Elle have experienced some fun too. They’ve been to Las Vegas, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Arizona to see The Rolling Stones, an NFL game in Minnesota, and Scotland where J.T. proposed to T’Elle on the top of Arthur’s Seat. They share a love of golfing, exploring, traveling, and taking in a concert too if T’Elle has any say in the matter.

T’Elle and J.T. have created a life together full of love and laughter. They continue to be each other’s shoulder to lean on, falling more in love everyday.