Jeff and I met when he took a job at Emerald Square Mall at Finish Line. I was currently dating someone who also worked there. We went on double dates, we became close friends, we broke up with the people we went on double dates with, we made nick names for each other, we flirted on AIM instant messenger. There was a 21st birthday celebration where the truth remains a mystery - I remain steadfast he tried to kiss me, he thinks it was the other way around. I am right. We stayed friends and we dated others but everyone knew. We were the last to know. No, actually, I was the last to know. Jeff knew what was best for us from the start, and honestly, he has kept a pretty impeccable track record since then.
We met in 2002 Had a baby in 2017 Got engaged in 2019 Got Married in 2021 - but we tried to get married in 2020. In between those years Jeff thought he was the star of his own Bachelor show. I settled down and then I unsettled and then settled some more and unsettled again. We remained close friends. We talked all the time. He about who he had given a rose to that week and me about whatever I was going through that second. They say you should become friends first. We perfected that for 13 years... But this time... this time, we both got it right !
December 23rd 2019 was a very stressful day for me. I was working a deal that with no exaggeration would be the biggest of its kind EVER. The kind you lose sleep over, the kind you do nothing all day but wait to respond to emails all day over - in your ELF pajamas. You cancel all things you were supposed to do, all the times Jeff thought I was going to leave the house. At one point he called my sister and said " what am I going to do - she is still in pajamas" . She knew I would never forgive anyone if this big moment was had in elf pajamas, as much as I loved them. So Gail came over and I took advantage & said I will jump in the shower & then she hugged me & said "that's great!" I remember texting her & thanking her for the pride she had in me just for showering, weird but still I had no clue. I was doing my makeup & I had exactly one eye finished- & Jeff called me. He needed me. I continued contouring, then Brady called - since he is legally dependent on me of course I went. Half makeup face & all... I look over by the Christmas Tree and there is Jeff down on a knee and our son holding a sign "Will You Marry My Daddy" Jeff had an entire speech but I can only recall one line verbatim & I will never forget it, so long as I live. " You've made me a better man, now I.m asking you to make me a complete man. Will you Marry Me? " He had a whole plan with roses and candles & all the things but I refused to leave the house... he hurriedly set up what he could while I showered. That night we celebrated with our closest friends & family. Two days before Christmas people got babysitters & dropped everything; probably because no one could actually believe Jeff was getting married but I choose to believe it was because they love us & we really are the luckiest. We got engaged on Dec 23, 2019. I closed the mega deal on December 31st where we gathered with our closest friends to cheer what would be the start of an amazing next year. Then 2020 said hold my beer...