Jessica and Holden reconnected at a Christmas party in their hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Jess and Holden had known of each other back in high school youth group at Westover Church in Greensboro, but had never really connected. On December 22, that all changed. A mutual friend, Benjamin Bell, had invited both Jessica and Holden to his Christmas party. Holden grew up with Ben at Caldwell Academy and had been friends since elementary school, while Jessica got to know Ben through community group at Mercy Hill Church. At the party, Jessica and Holden "saw each other from across the room," recognizing each other from high school. But, unlike most high school reconnections, Jessica and Holden immediately hit it off. After exchanging numbers, Holden asked Jessica out to coffee for the day after Christmas 2017. Jessica and Holden's first date was at Green Joe's coffee shop. Little did they know this would be the first of many long conversations and coffee dates. Over the next few weeks and months, Holden and Jess started building their long distance relationship through daily phone conversations and weekend visits due to Holden's active duty commitment to the U.S. Coast Guard in Chesapeake, VA. The Lord grew their hearts together and built a special bond between the two.

On the eve of their year-and-a-half anniversary, Holden got down on one knee and asked Jessica to be his wife. Their engagement took place on the golf course of Greensboro Country Club, which sits right in the middle of Jessica's neighborhood. The spot holds great significance because Jessica and Holden have walked around the golf course week after week on Sunday afternoons before Holden drove back to Virginia Beach.

God's plan is always better than ours, isn't it? Months of planning and dreaming of March 22nd and God had other plans in mind. "And hallelujah, you have saved me So much better Your way And hallelujah, Great Defender So much better Your way" COVID 19 hit and the world shut down days before our wedding. As each day passed we went from Plan A to B to G...God's Plan. Jessica got ready in her childhood home then walked across the street to the most beautiful part of Greensboro, The Bicentennial Gardens. This park holds a special place in the Melton's heart as they have dedicated a bench and stones to Jessica's sister, Juliana Melton Lagesse, who passed away a few years ago. With the change of location, Juliana and Jessica were together that day. In a grassy meadow, tucked away, Jessica walked toward the love of her life, Holden Shelton. Tears of joy were shed as the couple became Mr. and Mrs. Holden Shelton. This intimate wedding was so special and we give God all the glory for making it so beautiful!