As I sit here trying to write out some cute, sappy love story for you all to read, I can't help but laugh at the reality of our love story. The truth is, our love story started way before it was even a love story. I'm a firm believer that our relationship is so strong because it started as coworkers... then progressed from that to friendship, and from there to a relationship. To have a nursing partner that can back you up, run ideas by... but also question you, give you advice, tell you when you're wrong... So many of those components have carried into our relationship- specifically, the feeling of teamwork. So here it is. The list of points/events in our working relationship that led us to where we are today: 1. Jenny taking the leap into travel nursing after 1 year of being a nurse. First contract: Downtown Norton 2. Not meeting each other for MONTHS, even though we worked on the same unit. CORE MEMORY: The startling reality of each other existing: Dustin stepping on the unit to complain to a mutual friend about travel nurses' income (during the height of COVID) which promptly led to a snort heard around the world, and a bet on who made more money. The words "well whip out a paycheck then" were used. 3. Recognizing each other as coworkers and reliable nurses. Started eating lunch together. 4. The accusation- A coworker stating we had feelings for each other because we spent time together. CORE MEMORY: Both of us being like "what? us? NO. NEVER. but... maybe? I don't know, you tell me!" All I can say is, thank you Norton Family for being so patient with us as we worked ourselves out! Our work as nurses has brought us as far as Colorado and across the river to Ohio, our sense of adventure has led us as far as Colombia with more adventures awaiting. Our sense of family has led us to Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. Vacations (who doesn't love those?) have taken us to Tennessee, Florida. In every state, every country, our love remains. We like to joke about our lives and the constant state of shambles they stay in. There's been enough house renovations to last a LIFETIME. But even in the shambles of "WE GOTTA RIP IT DOWN TO THE BARE BONES", we still find time for our ridiculous schemes... Which example should we give? Here's four. 1. The kitchen equipment STILL SITTING in the garage that "We can just clean up and resell, no problem!" (from 2+ years ago) 2. The red solo cups also in the garage so we can "Sell plant starters and make extra money!" 3. The proud (read that, tax write-off) ownership of vending machines...and the business made to support those vending machines. (JDSvending shoutout.) 4. "We can just buy snow shovels on Alibaba and then when it's winter and everyone is snowed in, I can deliver them snow shovels for an additional cost!" I'll let you all decide who was who... actually, I think most of you would be surprised. At the end of the day, whether we're stocking vending machines, playing nurse, planting tomato plants, or staring at the kitchen equipment hoping it will clean itself, the love we have for each other is constant. I'm in awe at all we have done, are doing, and continue to do as a couple and soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Our life is one HECTIC rollercoaster, and I'm grateful to have a seat buddy that makes the ride even more exciting and worthwhile!