We’re tying the knot!

Nothing too fancy here, We met at work. But I think you can learn a lot about us and our love story through taking a closer look. We had both found our way to working with really vulnerable folks, in very taxing positions with some pretty intense demands. We got into those jobs due to a foundational value of pursuing justice with our labor, which came from our faith in the teachings and character of Jesus. Jessica’s desk was just kitty-corner from mine, and we connected quickly over faith, politics, and how they intersected with our stressful jobs and the lives of the families with whom we worked. Jessica, I think, was pretty excited to have someone so close that shared so many of the values of her heart, while I was maybe...a little intimidated by someone so earnest and brimming with positive enthusiasm. Jessica eventually won me over with her sincere convictions and integrity, her consistent display of a high level of skill in her job, her love of laughter, her ability to take great pleasure in simple things, and our shared core values. I’m assuming there were some positive qualities in me she saw, though I’m still trying to figure those out! I came to see Jessica as a trusted confidant and a real comfort in the sea of turmoil that was my position in Child Welfare, but I was determined to keep a boundary between us as nothing more than Work Friend™️ for...reasons(?) Jessica was so patient with me, and she was a consistently wonderful friend. I eventually realized I trusted her as much as anyone in my life. Last fall, things finally started to change between us; I think the shock and stress of the fire encouraged me to let my guard all the way down with her. Once the switch was flipped and we started dating, we fell in love right away. It just clicked. Jessica had so much fun and so much love for life, and she had those things with me! We knew we wanted to get married 3 months later. In July, I proposed at her favorite National Park, and she said yes!