A few years ago, after joining a life group at Park Church in Denver, Jessica met a great couple named Jeff and Becca Manning and grew to adore them. Late in the spring of 2017, Becca asked Jessica if she could share her contact information with one of Jeff's childhood friends, Brett Gillard. Thinking nothing would come of it, she agreed. Little did she know! On June 11, 2017, Brett reached out on email. After that first message, a pen pal relationship quickly developed. A month later, Brett flew to Denver to "visit the Mannings," but really to meet the woman he had developed a crush on. Their first double date lasted an entire day. They were smitten! For the next many months, they continued to write and talk on the phone, growing more and more attached with each conversation. After a trip to Washington in November of 2017, they made their relationship official!

After dating long distance and then a bit closer for a little over two years, it became clear to both Jessica and Brett that this was a relationship worth keeping. And then Covid shut down the country, making all plotting and planning a bit more difficult. But Brett had a plan! On the morning of June 20th, Brett texted Jessica to tell her he unexpectedly had the day off. He joined her at her home, where she was doing the very glamorous tasks of laundry, cleaning, and recuperating at the end of the school year. After making loose plans to run some errands and get out for the afternoon/evening, he asked if she wanted to join him on the couch. Snuggled together in one of their favorite spots in the house, Brett talked about how much of this relationship was unexpected, but that the stolen, normal moments were his favorite. He then asked if he could spend the rest of his moments, normal or otherwise, with her! She said "seriously" and then, after a tearful yes from Brett, said yes herself.