We’re getting married!

Strangely enough, it all started in Guatemala. During the time when Jeneva was living in Guatemala, a team of people from Tulsa came to the children’s home she was working at and they unexpectedly bonded one night when Jeneva was stuck in their hotel room. When they went home, they told their coworker, Kim, about Jeneva and her work there. In the meantime, Lindsey was living in El Paso and perfecting her Spanish in a way that Jeneva could never dream. Years later, Jeneva came to work with Leslie and Kim, and within a few hours of working there, Kim started talking about her daughter. Lindsey was in Guatemala at the time. Kim said “you should meet my daughter sometime. You would really get along.” And they did. After Lindsey’s trip, in July 2018, Lindsey and Jeneva met up at the Coffee House on Cherry Street. As soon as Lindsey walked in the room, Jeneva thought “wow. She is so beautiful.” They started talking. Jeneva thought they clicked like no one else she had ever met until Lindsey asked her to pause for a second. Lindsey turned to the side, to a man Jeneva hadn’t even noticed, and said “DUDE. Will you stop staring at my chest?” And then turned back to Jeneva and said “please go ahead.” Jeneva was hooked. In December of that same year, Jeneva and Lindsey went to San Diego together on a trip. During that trip, among the waves, the seals, and the California Burritos, Jeneva and Lindsey fell in love, although it would take another year to admit it. Over the next years, they spent almost all their time together, getting to know each other’s families, getting to know each others likes and dislikes, learning each others quirks and sometimes getting on each others nerves. They adopted their dog, Sophie. They cried over their heartbreaks. They celebrated their wins. They cleaned up so much dog poop (even one time out of Jeneva’s bra) because Sophie refused to potty train. Over time they became inseparable. But neither had ever dated other women - they had wondered about their sexuality of course, but neither could stand the idea of disappointing their parents and going against what they were taught as kids. Despite what they thought, it was inevitable. One day, a foggy, cold February 20th in 2020, Jeneva and Lindsey were having a normal evening, cuddled up together (like friends always do, right??) Lindsey asked Jeneva a fateful question. She had asked it before, a question that brought along with it a mountain of fears, condemnation, and sheer terror at the consequences. She asked, “Did you want to kiss me?” Jeneva took a deep breath, and honestly replied for the first time in years. “Yes.” The consequences were terrifying, enormous, and beautiful. Jeneva & Lindsey went on a few dates while trying to figure out what this means… Lauren Turner’s comedy show, a Pitbull concert, picnics at The Gathering Place. All too soon, the pandemic began, and Jeneva and Lindsey fought to hold on to each other. Jeneva and Lindsey clung to each other through anxiety, religious beliefs condemning them to hell, through rejection and concussions and health concerns and the constant state of global crisis. Slowly, life brightened a bit, and the fears that a loving God would condemn them faltered. Jeneva and Lindsey’s love never wavered and stood stronger than anything else they knew.

In February 2025, on their 5 year anniversary, Lindsey paced the floor. Jeneva and Lindsey unexpectedly received the gift of a staycation for a week in the house with a beautiful snowfall, and outside the sun sparkled on the snow. The next day they were flying to El Paso, to experience the other part of Lindsey’s life in the community she so loves. Jeneva thought Lindsey felt nervous about the flight or about seeing old friends again. Jeneva was prodding and pressing to ask “What is wrong? Are you okay??” Finally, Lindsey couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood up, went to the closet, and pulled down a box. “I can’t stand it anymore. I can’t wait any more time. Will you marry me?” Jeneva sobbed. “ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO?” They celebrated. They cried. They went to a special celebration dinner at Noche. They texted their friends and loved ones. And Jeneva began plotting. Approximately a month later, Lindsey’s ring came in the mail. Unfortunately, it got shipped to Jeneva’s parent’s house, so she had to coordinate a pickup. Jeneva, Brian, and Colin had a plan. Lindsey, oblivious to what was happening and fully believing Jeneva when she complained about not having had the chance to order a ring yet, drove with Jeneva to Oklahoma City. Colin made up stories about his brother in order to go grab supplies, and Brian offered to take Lindsey on a ride in his midlife-crisis-mobile convertible to go meet at a park. Brian drove to the “wrong park” to buy some time and Lindsey didn’t suspect anything. Jeneva was waiting with a picnic blanket, a ring, and Colin with his fancy photography equipment. As Lindsey walked up, she had no idea what was going on, until she spotted the blanket and the flowers and the camera. She yelled, “NOOOOO.” But of course she said yes.

In the stunning forest of Olympic National Park, Lindsey and Jeneva chose to commit themselves to each other. Neither Jeneva nor Lindsey are big on being the center of attention, so an elopement was only natural. They married each other in the midst of incredible natural beauty and witnessed by the forest, the wind, the birds, and their brothers. Josiah played the song “Simply the Best,” always Lindsey’s song for Jeneva in silly everyday moments of connection, as they walked hand in hand through the forest towards forever. Brian officiated the wedding and they committed to the following vows: