A & J

Jillian: I thought he was so handsome, and so fancy (he wore a long sleeved button up and slacks to our picnic date)! And he had the cleanest car of any guy I’ve ever known. He was sweet, attentive, respectful, and engaging. Ayden: She was so incredibly beautiful, and so kind and easy to talk to. She was clearly very thoughtful and articulate and smart and immediately drew me in. The nervousness I had at our first date quickly dissipated.

Ayden: Twin Snakes, Sour Patch Kids, really any other sour candy! Or chicken wings and tots. Jillian: chocolate chips (straight out of the bag) or jelly beans.

Jillian: He is deeply kind and incredibly loyal (I know that’s two, but he’s got so many) Ayden: It’s hard for me to narrow down to just one. She has the biggest heart and cares so deeply about the people in her life, and she makes a conscious effort to show that.

Ayden: Me, without a doubt, but we’re both thieves if the other person has something that looks yummy. Jillian: Ayden, hands down. He is always grabbing some of my snacks and my food, even if it’s in my hand! He takes the fiancé tax very seriously.

Jillian: When it’s acceptable to use the overhead lighting in the house (the answer is never). Ayden: What qualifies as an acceptable parking spot. Or, not that we don’t eventually agree on it, but it often takes a good amount of back and forth before we agree on how to arrange home decor.

Jillian: He gives Mia a kiss every time he passes her in the house! He’s as much of a sucker for animals as I am. Ayden: It never fails to put a smile on my face when she meets me at the door and hugs me when I come home from my workday. She also has this really silly voice that she uses to talk to or talk for animals.

Ayden: On a normal day when I brew a coffee for us at home, usually with a bit of cream or milk, and a little chocolate power from her local hometown coffee chain, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. When we are out, usually hazelnut or vanilla latte with almond milk. Jillian: He drinks just straight black coffee. Preferably freshly made pour-over.

Jillian: When I realized that he was just as committed to knowing me, loving me, and building a beautiful life with me as my own family. Ayden: When I realized that she loved me unconditionally and was as committed to me as I was to her, and that I wanted nothing more than to continue to love and grow together as people and as a couple.