It started as love at first sight at my best friend Chelsea Lovett’s backyard campfire. I saw him and thought he was so handsome, but wouldn't ever be into me. As we were talking in my best friend's basement, Wil was laying on a couch nearby, (but I didn't even know he was there). My friend Chelsea was talking me through my recent breakup with my first boyfriend. Suddenly Wil pops up from where he was laying on the couch (unbeknownst to me), and I can't remember what he said, but it was so unexpected, and looking back, quite physically appealing. Soon after, I was asked out by Wil's best friend, so I dated him for a little bit. Wil and I hung out a few times, and eventually started dating. Wil eventually moved to Georgia, to go to school there. We kept in touch over Skype for years. I prayed about getting serious with Wil, because if he were serious about me, it would mean making plans for marriage. After a surprise visit to Wil in Georgia over Christmas, we found out for sure that we were going to have our son Wade. So we started making plans for me to move to Georgia with him. Wil impressively packed all my things into his Prius and a new chapter began for us. Wil is my best friend and I love growing in our relationship. I instinctively knew he would be a great father too, and he really is the best. I can’t wait for the next chapter, it just keeps getting better.

I first met Vanessa at my best friend Jake Lovett’s house. He was dating her. Yes, this love story is unconventional. Vanessa became part of my group of friends and it wasn’t until several years that we reconnected and started dating. I found early on the way to her heart was food, so I would take her out to eat at Notre Dame campus frequently. After a while it almost felt like I was a student at Notre Dame, but the students would usually refer to me as “townie.” Anyway…I developed a deep relationship with Vanessa, but as life can happen, I decided to move down to Atlanta, GA to start college (I’m a late bloomer). I realized very soon that I missed her, so we began talking on the phone. What started out as maybe a weekly call, turned into a nightly call, and then turned into her face on my ipad falling asleep next to me every night. We were zoomers before it was cool. But all those hours and all-night phone calls that we had really established a deep connection that I never had with anyone else. So even though we were doing a long-distance relationship, I felt very close to her. learned everything about her which I love about her to this day. Since Vanessa has been in my life I have really felt like I have a companion and someone to confide in and I’ve always appreciated her for opening her heart to me. When Wade was born my love and appreciation for Vanessa grew exponentially. Her love and dedication to our son is very special and passion for being a mom. All of the wonderful traits that our son Wade has is a reflection of Vanessa and her big heart and Vanessa is a beacon of light to our family and I love her for that. I always think how lucky I am to have her.