Memories
Hammonasset Beach
It was the day after a retreat, and Jessie was sleep-deprived sick. Joshua convinced Jessie to go out for some lunch and chill reading at a cafe. Jessie denied Joshua’s original sushi recommendation, the plan B was closed, and eventually, they ended up Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale for some great lobster/crab rolls. After, they went on a detour (as usual) to the beach to a closed Nature Center. Jessie led the way to the far end of the beach. There’s no way an engagement would have this many detours and be Jessie-directed right? A coincidental snowy owl photographer helped misdirect Jessie’s attention from Joshua’s friend in the same parking lot. They walked down to the shore on probably the WINDIEST day ever. Jessie saw a photographer. Joshua couldn’t find the hand-crafted-pebble-shaped ring box. He said a speech. Jessie cried (some from the wind). She said yes. They’re engaged!
Yellowstone National Park
Driving Grace (Joshua’s car) from SF to New Haven! We loved seeing wildlife (bears, bison, etc) simply along the road!
San Francisco Bay
When Joshua was working in-person in Newark for Lucid, the benefit of long distance was traveling! We loved Monterey Bay Aquarium, the 7 mile drive to see sea lions (bring binoculars!), Mission Peak hike, the stellar weather, and the many yummy Asian restaurants!
Dallas -> Atlanta -> New Haven Roadtrip
Driving Jessie’s car from Dallas to New Haven for her Intern year!
Atlanta
Visiting Joshua’s family and home! We recommend walking the Suwanee Creek, playing sand volleyball in the Town Center, visiting Jaemor Farms, spending 6+ hours in the Georgia Aquarium, and eating at the many Korean restaurants.
Dallas
Many trips to Jessie’s family and home! We recommend seeing the Longhorns in Fort Worth, exploring the Trinity Bridge, birding around White Rock Lake, and if you are able, eating Jessie’s dad’s famous cooking.
London, Lake Como, Milan, and Paris
For Spring Break, Jessie and Joshua took separate friend trips to Europe that intersected for a couple of days in London, Lake Como, Milan, and Paris. There, we (with their separate friends) watched Les Miserables and have yet to find a theatrical production that compares.
Boston
Boston is the location of our first roadtrip date where we discovered our love for exploring and finding 4-leaf clovers! Also, the Harvard-Yale game (not pictured is Joshua’s sprained ankle from jumping onto the field and Jessie’s tonsillitis) and where many friends and family reside:)
Middle East Summer Mission
(in an undisclosed location in the Middle East,) Jessie and Joshua first did ministry alongside each other. There, they had conversations about faith with locals and as a result, began to imagine a life focused on introducing Jesus to others. On June 18th, 2022, they made their relationship official.
LGA to New Haven Transportation
Jessie and Joshua’s early conversations sometimes took place on their travels from the airport after school breaks. Joshua would (most of the time) lead the way from LGA to the M60 to Harlem to MTA to Union Station.
Passion Conference
The inciting weekend! Joshua hosted a couple of YSC friends over in Atlanta for Passion, a young adult Christian conference. There, they hit it off, talking about neural networks, Joshua’s family history, photography, Christianity, past relationships, and their fear of becoming parents. After, Jessie continued the conversation by FaceTiming him about her dog’s poop upon returning home...
Pocono Mountains
On a YSC retreat, Jessie took a selfie with someone else and felt bad for the other guy who wasn’t included. She decided to take a selfie with him too, even though she didn’t know him that well. Thus is the story for Jessie and Joshua’s first photo together! (Not pictured is the other take, where Joshua pretends to pick his nose.)