Oregon Bound | June 18th

Leigh and Jill decided on May 1st to separate their marriage celebration into two events due California guidelines around COVID-19. On June 18th, they will be married in a small family ceremony at their brother and sister-in-law's home just east of Portland in Boring, Oregon. The temple sealing and official reception will still occur in Los Angeles, but is postponed until Fall 2020.

Jill moved to Omaha after MBA graduation in 2016 to work at Union Pacific Railroad. Leigh had established himself and been working at UP for four years by then. Soon enough Leigh introduced himself to Jill at a BYU alumni lunch. They realized that they grew up in the same town, only ten minutes from each other in Eugene, Oregon! Leigh sometimes visited Jill's cubicle; Jill thought he was a nice guy stopping by for a visit. Jill's friend and colleague Lauren was certain he was interested. After Leigh and Jill left the railroad he invited Jill out— a year ago. April 21st, 2019. Easter Sunday. Leigh asked Jill, "Would you like to go out on a date sometime?" Jill was impressed that he was straightforward and asked for what he wanted. She replied, "Of course." They went to the board game cafe, Speilbound; Leigh taught Jill how to play Chess. (FYI, Jill isn't into strategy games, much to Leigh's disappointment.) Leigh impressed Jill again when he suggested dinner and asked her where they could find a keto-friendly menu, such attention to detail. At Smitty's Garage Jill had lettuce in her teeth and Leigh told her about it. She was again impressed -- honesty and willingness to help out his date. Dreamy. After multiple weeks of dating Leigh expressed his desire to be exclusive. Jill was again impressed that he was so straightforward with what he wanted. It's been a courtship of walks, talks, food, hikes, shooting ranges, concerts, camping, church events, museums, Netflix, more walks, and trips to California, Oregon, Arizona. Leigh met some of Jill's family and Jill met some of Leigh's. Introductions included Leigh's twin girls, Kendal and Lyla, meeting Jill. In February 2020 Leigh proposed to Jill in her apartment saying, "I've been trying to figure out where to do this. Proposing in your apartment seems the perfect place since everything important happened here and you love it so much." He was right. Impressed again -- Jill smiled, cried, and replied "Yes."

Jill's wedding ring is from her maternal Grandma Eva's marriage to Tom Perry. Jill is named after her (Evamarie). Jill's engagement ring is new to her, but a vintage piece. Its design of emeralds and diamonds reminds her of her paternal Grandma Drucilla's fashion and pizazz. Jill is honored to remember these two special women in such a special way.