Falling For Us

Sean and I grew up in Iowa towns right next to each other, Solon and Iowa City. Despite Sean's brother (Ben) knowing many of the same people as I did, we never crossed paths. This would be the first of many times in our story that Sean and I missed each other by moments.

Sean left the Army and played football at Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa with his brother (Cole). Sean graduated with his undergraduate degree in sociology and history. Sean continued working as a residential counselor at Family Resources in the area. Right after Sean graduated, I transferred to Saint Ambrose University to play basketball and finish my undergraduate degree in forensic psychology and criminal justice. Oddly enough, my career path led me to apply to be a residential counselor at Sean's facility.

Sean will tell you he knew he would marry me the day he saw me on campus at the residential facility during my interview. I will tell you I couldn't stand him for the first 6 months I worked there. That is, until we had the opportunity to work as a team in one of the programs and I was able to see past the head nod throwing, super hero-jawed jock who wore all black sweatpants and long sleeves ninety percent of the time. Sean and I became fast friends and eventually were in a position to give our connection a shot.

Sean and I started dating, if you ask him though, there is a 50/50 chance he will tell you our dating anniversary is April 01, 2017. Take a shot for me if he does!

It wasn't long (at all) before Sean and I packed up and moved to Miami, Florida. Shortly after we started dating, I graduated from Saint Ambrose University and was offered a research position at Florida International University working with youth struggling with behavioral disorders. While on a date one night, Sean popped the question (not that one, slow down!), "what if I come with you?" Sean applied to join me at Florida International University and we were off for our first big adventure together. One U-Haul, no sleep, and a smashed side mirror later, we made it to our first home together on Dominican Drive in Cutler Bay, Florida.

Sean and I made the most of our time in Miami, Florida. New friends, new memories, and new dynamics of living together made our time fly by. Check out some of the photos on our website for a glimpse of our adventures!

A little over a year later and following many more adventures (concerts, trapeze, swimming with dolphins, roller skating, amusement parks, roller coasters, costumes, sky diving, alligators, tiger cubs, wolf packs, sloth families, Pokemon hunting bike rides, bayside and ocean fishing, many drinks, many meals, many tan lines, many miles in traffic, and a lot of traffic), I made the decision to go back to school to get my masters degree in social work. After realizing out of state tuition was not a realistic option if we wanted to eat or see each other ever, Sean and I chose to leave the sunpasses behind and head back to the midwest. Family welcomed us back with open arms and seasonal clothing.

Two years of graduate school in Davenport, two years of post graduate experience in Des Moines, being together apart, being apart apart, and many more adventures, I propose to Sean on top of Horse Shoe Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa. Spoiler alert, he said yes!

Five years and one global pandemic later, we bought our first home together in West Branch, Iowa. Our son (cat-dog-chicken) Nalla James has settled into his new stomping grounds very quickly!

We're walking the walk (well, the aisle) and signing the papers, we hope you can join us! A note for the friends and family who asked (you know who you are!), yes it's Halloween weekend, no our guests are not wearing costumes, no the theme is not Harry Potter. However, for the record I am a Gryffindor and Sean is a Slytherin no doubt.