We first met on Thanksgiving in 2023, when Jared hosted a Friendsgiving with my Disney College Program roommate. After that night, he quickly became a constant presence in my life—showing up almost every day and seamlessly becoming part of my routine. At first, it was always the three of us spending time together, but little by little, it became just the two of us—finding excuses to go out, explore, and enjoy each other’s company. One weekend, we joined a group of friends from their department for a trip to Asheville, North Carolina. Jared and I rode together, and somewhere between my naps and our pit stops, we talked the entire way—laughing about how terrible it would be if we ever dated. But after that weekend, something had quietly changed. Not long after we got back, Jared finally asked me out on a date… and the rest is history. From there, our relationship grew alongside some of life’s biggest milestones. Bailey stood by Jared through his MBA, supporting him during long nights of studying, the stress of job searching, and every moment of uncertainty along the way. When the opportunity came for him to take his current role based in Knoxville, she encouraged him to take the leap—believing in him every step of the way. From 2025 to now, after almost a year of being apart, our relationship was shaped by busy schedules, long days, and a lot of frequent flyer miles. Between Bailey in nursing school and Jared working full time while also pursuing his doctoral degree, we made the most of every moment we could—often hopping on weekend flights, racking up Delta miles just to spend time together. Through it all, we’ve continued to grow together, building a life rooted in support, laughter, and love.