In September of 2018, our paths crossed thanks to pure serendipity. Fiona had grown up in Santa Cruz, California, and Jesse in Downers Grove, Illinois. During her second month of school, a journalism class assignment paired Fiona with a student whose roommate happened to be Jesse. At 8 a.m., Jesse appeared in Angry Bird pajamas, Spider-Man slippers and a Cubs hat. What was supposed to be a short interview turned into hours of nonstop conversation.

In May of 2022, we moved into our first apartment together, a space that quickly became home. It wasn’t just the two of us; Goose, Ms. Kitty, and our two leopard geckos came with us, making our apartment feel full of love (and personality) from the start. It quickly became the backdrop for countless movie nights, afternoons with friends, laid-back mornings and everything in between.

On Jesse’s 25th birthday, we spent the day celebrating with joy and pizza at one of our favorite spots, Happy Camper. Little did Fiona know, while we were out, our friends were back at our apartment, filling our home with candles, twinkling lights, flower petals and photos of our journey together. When we walked in, Fiona was greeted by snapshots of our most meaningful milestones. Jesse got down on one knee and proposed with the most beautiful ring, the same one his grandfather had once given to his grandmother.

From that first chance meeting in a dorm room to building our future together, our story has always been filled with love, laughter and joy. We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter, surrounded by the friends and family who mean the absolute world to us! Thank you endlessly for supporting us and for bringing so much light and sunshine into our lives!