When we first started working together at the Giant Eagle cheese counter it was just to earn some extra money over summer break. After our first few shifts together Gena's goofy sense of humor melted Jack's quiet, shy exterior and we hit it off soon after, both of us looking forward to seeing the schedule each week to see how many days we would be working together. It wasn't long before Jack asked Gena to a night of bowling (Yes, that's the best I could think of). Bowling turned into dinner at Slice of NY on campus, a leisurely stroll around target, and even a late night showing of the Conjuring. The terror that Gena expressed during that movie was proof that we didn't want the night to end. The next day Gena texted Jack about a meteor shower that night, and Jack instantly insisted that they should watch it together, just as Gena was hoping. On that second date, under the night sky, they shared their first kiss. Gena was apprehensive about starting a serious relationship so close to the return to school, coupled with an impending four months oversees in Denmark. We decided to just enjoy each others company for as long as we could and part ways at the end of August.

In August, Gena went back to Denison to start her junior year, and Jack continued to work at the cheese shop while attending OSU. We decided that it would be best if we didn't text anymore, and we stuck to this for about a month... One evening in September, Gena spent what seemed like an hour writing and re-writing a text-"I know we said we weren't going to talk, but I miss you"-but before she had a chance to send it, she got a text notification; it was from Jack, and it said something along the lines of "I know we said we weren't going to talk, but I miss you." Gena and Jack started talking again. One night, Gena told Jack she was going to be in Columbus for a concert. Jack paid $20 to park and ran over to the concert venue to see Gena, if only just for a moment, for the very first time since August. Jack wasn't allowed to get in past the entrance, so we chatted for a few moments before kissing over the metal fencing. We knew we had something special and from that point on, we were in it for good.

Since 2013, we have been through a lot together; moving back onto a college campus and living in a dorm for two years while Gena completed her masters degree, traveling to Italy, adding a rambunctious cat to the family, celebrating an anniversary "glamping" with hundreds of spiders, and managing all the challenges that have come with the COVID19 Pandemic...through it all, we have remained best friends and partners. On October 17th, during Jack's birthday trip to the bourbon trail in Louisville, KY, in front of several close friends, Jack proposed with the vintage ring we had picked out together months earlier. 8 years ago, we had no idea where we would end up, but we couldn't be happier that we took a chance on each other, despite our worries and fears, our past hurts, and future uncertainties. Find yourself a partner who will hold your hand through it all, unconditionally; we are lucky to have found that in each other.