I can say with confidence that Jesse is the best thing that I have ever received from a job. Our story began at Cooper’s; I was a server and he was a bartender. For months, he made my tables’ drinks and I would pick them up from the bar without much conversation. (It is an ongoing joke that my mom who also worked there at the time was friends with Jesse before I was!) It wasn’t until one night when I went to tip him out that he finally gained the confidence to start a conversation. This conversation spanned for nearly two hours and prompted multiple apologies from others attempting to tip him out who felt like they were interrupting something. From that day on, we would always check the schedules and line ups to see if we were working together. Admittedly, I sometimes would purposely pick up shifts when I knew he was going to be working! It wasn't long before I would always find myself standing by the bar even when I wasn't waiting for drinks for my tables, or he would find himself at the server table in between drink tickets. Our interactions unfolded in the work setting just like this for almost a month before we would finally have our first date!

After a month of interacting only at work and through Facebook Messenger, we finally went on our first date. It was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and Jesse asked me out to breakfast at Zummo's. We met at 9:30, and before we knew it, it was 1:30. Despite talking for hours, we still felt as if we had so much more to say. In turn, we decided to go walk Lake Scranton. Instead of saying goodbye at the end of our walk, Jesse then asked, "Now what?" Thinking back to our lengthy conversations on messenger, I recalled him saying that he had never had pizza from Arcaro and Genell's which made my answer to his question rather obvious. Upon arrival, we found out that they were only offering take out service. (Yes, we were a COVID couple) Despite this news, we decided to order anyway and enjoyed our meal in the makeshift dining area outdoors. Even though it was chilly and the only lights were the headlights of the cars passing by, it was still one of the best meals that I've ever had; my company may have had something to do with that fact. At this point, our date was just shy of reaching the 12 hour mark. Still not content with calling it a day, Jesse came over to my house where we did origami and I forced him into watching an episode (or maybe three) of 90 Day Fiance. Since I had work early the next morning, it was at this point that we decided to end the longest first date that either one of us had ever been on. As he was leaving, he asked for a kiss and for my number. (He thought it was time to upgrade from messenger) Fifteen minutes after he left, he texted me that he was home and asked if I had any plans for the next day. From that day forward, we saw each other almost every single day and the rest was history. (Even though it is an ongoing joke that Jesse never formally asked me to be his girlfriend!)

After two and a half years of dating, two moves, four cats, a dog, and two hermit crabs, both of us knew that this was a forever kind of thing even though it wasn't official just yet. In June of 2023, we found ourselves on a trip to Colorado. I had never been, and Jesse was eager to show me around with the help of his warm and hospitable family in Steamboat. The trip was a dream, and I loved getting to connect with people who meant so much to him. A little over halfway into our trip, Jesse suggested that we do a longer hike together. At the suggestion of his cousin Ryan, we decided on one known as the Zirkel Circle. In preparation for this hike, we looked up reviews on the All Trails app. Despite being hopeful, the reviews weren't the most promising. While I was slightly deterred by the one mentioning "waist deep stream crossings" and "major snow drifts," Jesse reassured me by saying, "How bad could it really be?!" Despite my reservations, we woke up early, stopped for some subs, bought a $15 dollar map of the area, and prepared for our ascent. It was a sunny, 85 degree day and the first half of the 14 mile hike went off without a hitch. After crossing the stream that was in fact waist deep and encountering some minor snow drifts, my confidence was restored. It was not until we reached the summit of the hike that we actually encountered the major snow drift that the reviews had been talking about. Being someone who has never skied or snowboarded, the descent that looked like a full on slope was only slightly (*cough* very) terrifying to me. Having the patience of a saint, Jesse attempted to reassure me the entire way down- falls, tears, and all. After a long walk down to the glacial lake that was only lengthened by my theatrics, we stopped and ate our lunch. Prior to continuing the hike, Jesse told me to pose in front of the mountain for a photo that we would "both find funny one day." Reluctantly, I stood up despite my clothes being soaked and my ego being bruised. After facing towards the mountain for the first shot, he then told me to turn around. After repeating this request twice, I hesitantly listened. (My face still showed signs of the tears I had cried circa my 5th fall) Instead of finding Jesse snapping a photo, I found him down on one knee with the most beautiful ring. It was truly the most amazing surprise that only added to an already amazing trip.