Hi dear family and friends, We’re so glad you’re here! As we prepare to celebrate this exciting new chapter together, we want to take a moment to thank the people who have loved and supported us throughout our journey. Your encouragement, laughter, guidance, and friendship have shaped our relationship in more ways than we can count. Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or joined our lives along the way, your presence means the world to us. We can’t wait to share this special day with you and create memories that will last a lifetime. As we have more information, we will update and release more details regarding the day. Below is our story of how we fell in love, the moments that we cherish, and the traditions we've made. With all our love and gratitude, Jess & John

John and Jess met in the fall of 2018. They spent weeks initially talking to each other over the phone before either one dared to ask the other one out. John made the first move and asked Jess on a date. Nervously, she accepted, and they agreed to meet at the local Applebee's right off Jess's campus at UMD. We spent hours talking on that first date - even though we only ordered appetizers. We overextended our welcome at the empty restaurant and finally decided to leave 3 hours later. John, being the gentleman, offered to walk Jess back to her dorm (30 minutes away). During that time, Jess showed John UMD's campus. They rubbed Testudo's nose in front of the library (rumored to bring good luck). We walked and talked for a while more, sharing our life stories. It was freezing outside as it was November 30th; however, neither one of us minded. This began another tradition for us during our time at Maryland. Two weeks later, that same Applebee's burned down, which Jess took as a sign that John might be something special. As some might know, her parents' "curse" with their love story has a similar pattern. Sentimental places closing, burning, or being ripped away by hurricanes followed her parents, and Jess could only think how coincidental it was that the same thing happened on her first date with John.

John was a Junior at The Catholic University of America, and Jess was a Freshman at the University of Maryland. From the start, they traveled to see each other. During college, that included taking one bus and two trains. Once John graduated, he moved to Texas to pursue his master's degree. Jess and John took turns visiting Texas and Maryland for 2 years. After Jess graduated UMD and enrolled in her first Semester at Temple University for her DPT program, John took the plunge and moved to Philadelphia. This included a 3-day road trip taking them from Texas to Philadelphia. A few beignets, gumbo, and frozen daiquiris in New Orleans, a broken headlight in Tennessee, and the worst cup of coffee in Alabama later, Jess and John made it to Philadelphia in one piece. Through cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, SEPTA rides, coffee shops, and other jawns, John grew to love Philly and Roxborough through Jess's outpouring heart. Distance does make the heart grow fonder, but John knows a person like Jess is worth any distance.

It wasn't until COVID lockdown that John and Jess were able to spend consistent time together. From March through June, we spent our bubble with 4 other close friends between split between 2 apartments. It was during this time that the tradition of the weekend breakfast sandwiches began. At the end of June, Jess moved back home and John moved to Texas. We knew we loved each other but were terrified of long distances. We made a promise that even though we were 1,588 miles apart, we would continue our new tradition. Every Saturday we would FaceTime, make our sandwiches together, and then watch a show. Regardless of trips or vacations, our weekend sandwiches prevailed. Once John moved to Philadelphia we perfected the craft. We invested in 2 egg pans (so both our sandwiches could remain warm). We function as one, dividing the tasks to complete the magnificent sandwiches; John prepares the turkey bacon and hash browns while Jess cooks the eggs and assembles the sandwiches. Even though we are no longer far apart, we continue the tradition as a way to remember how precious our time together is.

John decided to take the jump to give Jess a Shiny Rock: He decided to propose on the date of their first date: November 30th. Behind the Philadelphia Art Museum, at the Gazebo overlooking the Schuylkill River at sunset, was the fateful point where Jess said yes. From henceforth, the happy couple anxiously await the day they get to say their "I do". We are excited to share our love and see you on this monumental day at Morris Arboretum on Friday, 06/26/2026, in the City of Brotherly Love! -John & Jess