The Future Kelley's

It all started in a little town where football was King, and class clean-up duty was never quite the same once we were paired together. Jared and I had no idea that a simple task would lead to something so unforgettable. The moment we met, it was like something clicked. Yes, even if we were eight years old. We couldn’t help but steal glances at each other and pass notes back and forth, the kind of notes that would inevitably get us into trouble. Teachers caught us more than once, but that never stopped us—it was clear from the beginning: we liked each other. Our town may have been small, but the passion for football was enormous. I always attempted to wear Jared’s #32 football jersey, though he definitely played it cool, giving me just enough attention to keep me on my toes but always saying no most times. The whole school caught on to our little crush, and at recess, the dare was on: “Kiss him!” they shouted, with the entire school watching us. That moment, as embarrassing as it was, became a memory etched in our hearts forever. Fast forward to middle school, when Jared moved to Portland. Our hearts were heavy, mostly mine haha, but we couldn’t stop communicating. I had this little hope in the back of my mind that one day, he’d come back to Refugio—and sure enough, my wish came true. He came back in 8th grade, and we picked up right where we left off, as if no time had passed at all. It was in that moment, right by the athletic facility, that Jared asked me the simplest, but yet sweetest question: "Will you be my girl?" High school came and went, and through it all, our bond only grew stronger. Jared’s dedication to his passion for baseball paid off when he was drafted by the White Sox right out of high school. His dream of becoming a professional baseball player was no longer a distant hope—it was a reality, and it was a blessing that we both cherish deeply. I went off to college, and though long-distance was challenging, it never weakened what we had. Every phone call, text, and visit made me realize how special our bond truly was. I became his biggest cheerleader then, and I’m still his biggest fan now. I’m lucky enough to travel with him during baseball season. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, experiencing new cities, meeting new people, and, of course, cheering Jared on as he chases his dream. Baseball is temporarily so this chapter is something ill never take for granted. Then came Dior—our only baby right now. An Australian Shepherd who we quite frequently call “Pookie,” “Stinky,” “Winky,” and “Princess.” She’s been our sidekick through it all.From middle school crushes to about to write our wedding vows, this journey has been nothing short of incredible. We feel incredibly blessed that God brought us together at such an early age, allowing us to create sooooo many beautiful memories along the way. And though it all started with a simple crush after class, what we have now is so much more. We’ve built a life together, hand in hand, and we can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us next.