“The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. “ - Moulin Rouge

Christina and Jacque met during a contract signing for the Mile High Blaze semi-professional women’s team. Jacque approached Christina to get her name to be read out aloud to announce she had made the team. At first, Christina was speechless because she had spotted Jacque earlier in the evening trying to work up the courage to speak to her. After a few deep breathes Christina was able to stutter out her name. Neither of them could have imagined after that first contact would lead to a future together.

When Jacque and Christina met in 2019 they had no idea their lives would be changed forever. In early 2020 Christina came to Jacque for help. She confided in Jacque how her current life was going and asked for advice. Later, Christina asked Jacque if she knew of a place to get a job. At the time, Jacque was working at Dillard’s and recommended Christina apply. Needless to say Christina was hired at Dillard’s, a store no one ever imagined Christina would step foot in. It was there the relationship grew from teammates to coworkers and before long a romantic relationship. At first, this type of relationship was new to Jacque and shockingly new to Christina. They both came from a hurtful past and were very unsure how to move forward with something they both wanted. It wasn’t until Christina sat down with Jacque and assured her that she would never do anything to hurt her or force her in any way that Jacque began to let her guard down a bit. Jacque had to sit down with Christina as well to make the same promise. Over time Jacque and Christina began to trust each other more and more. With that trust came a stronger relationship. Before their relationship started Christina had moved in with Jacque and her cousin, Adrianne, because she needed a safe place to go. As the relationship was in its infancy COVID struck. Which meant Jacque and Christina had a lot of time to get to know each other under the same household. Even though Christina and Jacque hadn’t known each other for that long they felt as though they had known each other for years. Christina and Jacque would stay awake for hours talking about musicals, movies, books and their kids. The common interests were aplenty between the two. During the COVID lockdown they got to share in each other's interests, past hurts, past victories, past stories and even plans for the future. As COVID began to lift more and more this allowed Jacque and Christina to go out and do things together, which just brought them closer and closer. They shared many adventures and now here they are about to embark on their biggest adventure of all. They have learned that the love they have for each other is unlike any other. Through the toughest times in 2021 to now their love has stood through it all. Christina never thought she would find her dream girl and as she likes to say ‘I found my dream girl, I never thought I deserved it and I definitely never thought I would be alive long enough to find her. Now I am about to see her walk down the aisle to me.’ Jacque likes to say ‘for years I fought myself on who I truly was. Thankfully, I had a few people around me reminding me that it is OK to be who you are. Don’t be ashamed. When I finally allowed myself to acknowledge my true self, the love God made for me appeared in my life at the most inopportune moment and I haven’t looked back since.’ On October 22, 2022 Jacque and Christina will do something neither of them thought possible or probable. They will say ‘I do’ and their happily ever after will continue and through all the trials and tribulations, the good times and bad times, they will always remember “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”.

As their relationship grew stronger it became more apparent an engagement was going to happen. The biggest question for Christina was how to make the moment special for the love of her life. Christina ran many ideas by others but nothing seemed to be good enough. The original engagement was set for Christmas time because that is Jacque’s favorite holiday. Christina felt the ring was not perfect enough so she waited a little bit longer. Finally, Jacque decided to take Christina out of town for her birthday weekend. On a beautiful evening in Canon City with just the two of them holding hands Christina took a deep breath. Christina expressed her love for Jacque and how much she wanted to spend the rest of her life together. Christina pulled out the ring and popped the question. Jacque was taken back with excitement and immediately said yes.

As we all know, picking out the wedding dress is one of the most exciting moments in the preparation for the big day. On the morning of September 18, 2021 Jacque, surrounded by Christina, Michele, Rick, Adrianne and Elias, opened her mothers wedding box. Within that box was her mothers wedding veil, wedding dress and other important wedding mementos from her parents’ wedding. Jacque swore to her mother that she would wear her wedding veil when she got married and she kept that promise. As Jacque tried on her mothers wedding veil tears fell from her eyes. Everyone that was part of that moment hugged and shared words of love towards Jacque. Finally, the hour struck for the wedding dress shopping to commence. The first stop was David’s Bridal, where Rafael and Natalie met Jacque, Michele and Adrianne. Though some of the dresses looked beautiful Jacque did not find one that she connected with. As they all sat together during lunch, joined later by Julia, they discussed more about the type of dress she wanted. The next stop was Platinum Bridal. Several dresses were tried on, even with the surprise visit from Christina who brought flowers. Thankfully, Christina’s surprise visit didn’t catch Jacque at the moment of finding her dress. Eventually, Jacque put on the perfect dress. Jacque smiled and she cried. The bridal party that was present took photos and immediately let out their excitement. Jacque said yes to the dress! Further tears came when Jacque was told Adrianne, Michele (honorary mother) and Christina were all pitching in to pay for the dress of Jacque’s dreams.

Surrounded by friends and family Christina and Jacque had an engagement party in their backyard. The backyard had been decorated by Christina, Aslana and Rick while Jacque was out dress shopping. When Jacque came back to the house there were beautiful set tables, lighting fixtures throughout the yard and games set out for all the guests to play. The night was full of laughs and a few tears for wishing those who have passed were still with us. Those in attendance were able to learn more about each couple from games that were created. The food served was out of this world delicious. Jacque’s brother Adrian took this opportunity to use his smoker to provide amazing meats for all the guests. At the end of the night everyone left expressing words of excitement for the upcoming wedding.

Figuring out the wedding dress is one thing. Figuring out the suit to compliment the dress is another story. Christina had been struggling in trying to figure out what kind of suit she wanted to wear. Christina knew she wanted to stand out from those in the bridal party wearing a suit but she wasn’t sure how to do so. Finally, God answered Christina’s prayers. Christina was given the name of a fashion designer named Missy. This specific fashion designer has been a part of NY Fashion week and several others all over the world. After Christina shared her story with Missy, Missy agreed to custom design her suit for the wedding. Christina’s dreams of a custom suit had come true!