We're getting married!

For most people, the year 2020 doesn’t bring to mind a whole lot of fond memories. As recent graduates of the University of Central Florida, Jon and Jackie’s first year out of school started with stay at home orders and plenty of uncertainty. Dating in your twenties is difficult enough, but when every bar and coffee shop is closed, there are few places to find your soulmate. Thankfully, Jon and Jackie were able to do just that in September of 2020. Chaperoned by Jackie’s Australian Shepherd, Cannoli, the couple shared a plate of calamari and some drinks on their first date. Two things were clear to everyone on that very first date (including Cannoli): 1. Jon and Jackie really like calamari 2. Jon and Jackie have a special connection As time passed and they formed a deeper connection, Jon and Jackie shared their love of cooking, the outdoors, and dogs. Countless dinners, hikes, beach days, and trips to new places reinforced this bond and helped them fall even deeper in love with each other. Through good times and bad, they always put their love for each other at the forefront of their future plans. “I love you endlessly” became their motto. In 2022, Jon, Jackie, and Cannoli moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida together. There, Jackie started a new job as a teacher at Saint Jude Cathedral School, and Jon started attending the Stetson University College of Law. Cannoli continued to be a fetch enthusiast in her new home by the beach. In October of 2022, the family grew a little larger when Nemo was adopted from an Australian Shepherd rescue. The lives of the neighborhood squirrels were never the same. Jon became very good at hiding things in the house once he got a ring for Jackie in early 2023. With the help of a jeweler and some very generous family members, the ring he planned to give to Jackie contained diamonds sourced exclusively from her family. Jackie finally saw this heirloom ring on June 26, 2023 in Outer Banks, North Carolina when Jon asked her how she felt about spending the rest of their lives together. Thankfully, she felt pretty good about that proposition and said yes! Jon and Jackie are so grateful to joined by friends and family as they get married on October 19, 2024 in the city that they call home. They can’t wait to celebrate and make lifelong memories with the people they love!