We met working for the same ambulance company as Emergency Medical Technicians. I (Jenna) had been working a 12 hour shift starting at 5am, while Reid was working the same rotation of shifts, but starting at 5pm. We would see each other every start and end of our shift. Pretty soon, Reid started showing up early to his shifts to "help restock" at the end of my shift. I (Jenna) didn't really think anything of it at first, but started to like this guy after talking so much with him (plus, he was really handsome and cute, so BONUS)! Pretty soon, we started getting invited to the same parties by the same coworkers, and Reid started organizing times for us to "study" before he got into paramedic school (his excuse at the time being that he knew I had a biology based degree, and wanted to "pick my brain"). We grew closer and closer, and pretty soon he asked me on an official date, which was at the Bald Peak viewpoint (where he proposed to me!). There's more to the story, but that is detailed below!

After our date at Bald Peak, in August of 2024, we had several conversations regarding our faith, and I (Jenna), decided I needed to take a time in prayer before making anything official with Reid. Reid throughout this process was completely respectful and more than understanding - sending up his own prayers in the process! After 3 days of prayer, God tested me by asking me to obey Him and not make things official with Reid at the time. This was one of the hardest things I had to go through, and it was extremely difficult for Reid as well. I didn't want to lead Reid on in any way, but still had feelings in my heart for him. Despite this, I had to obey what God had instructed me and trust it was all in His plan. Over the next few months, we both struggled with our continued feelings for each other, and even had to create boundaries so we could still work together. We didn't speak to each other outside of a professional context until around 2-3 months later, when we were, once again, invited to some of the same parties hosted by our coworkers (y'all really played a matchmaker card here I swear - you know who you are!). Reid started pursuing the Lord more intentionally, so much so that I took notice at one of these parties. We started up a line of communication again, and scheduled another study time together, a week after I started at Physician Assistant school. Reid decided to plan a "study break" in the form of taking me to the zoo (very obviously a date!), where we talked about our faith more deeply. It became clear to me in these conversations that while God was testing me, God was strengthening Reid's faith so that we would both be ready for a relationship with each other at just the right time. That day, 1/11/2025, ended with us making everything official, and the rest is history! :)

I knew pretty quickly that Reid was my person. He gave me a promise ring about 4 months into officially dating, and we had been talking about marriage after around a month of dating. We both knew we were "dating to marry," so we didn't waste any time! It was confirmed to me by God that Reid was my future husband just a little bit later. We were planning to go on a hike we had been on many times before, and I was waiting for Reid to come pick me up. I had a silly thought in my mind, and said to God, (kind of jokingly) "If Reid is meant to be my future husband, have him give me yellow flowers today." Well, Reid came to pick me up, and he did not arrive with any flowers, much less yellow ones. I didn't really think much of it, as I knew I had joked a little bit when asking God. We start on our hike, and we come to a part of the trail that normally just has an open field of grass and nothing else around it. We get to it this day and it is absolutely FILLED with yellow dandelions. By this time, I had forgotten about my silly little request, and was just enjoying the scenery, when what does this man do??? He reaches down, unprompted, picks a yellow dandelion, and hands it to me as a gift. You can ask Reid to confirm, but I started laughing and crying at the same time - God had fulfilled my request in His way and confirmed we were meant to be together. I now absolutely love little yellow dandelions - and even have them incorporated onto the tattoo on my back. Reid is the answer to my prayers - this I know with all my heart; and God knows it too.

Twelve hour shifts can feel very long. However seeing someone that makes you want to stay longer makes it feel like time is irrelevant. It all started with seeing Jenna across the bay. I made any excuse I could to stay longer and help after my shift. I make jokes, conversation and helped out in any way I could. After we both were planning to start school, I asked if she wanted to study. We got coffee and the more I learned about her the more I fell in love. Her intellect, kindness and work ethic were inspiring and adorable. Everyday since, I have fallen more and more in love, and although our story is still young, a lifetime doesn’t feel long enough to enjoy it.