It was February-ish of 2016. A couple of friends of mine started working at this newish bar/restaurant in Troy Hill called Scratch (where I would later snag a part time gig), which started to host karaoke on Fridays. My friends invited me to pop by to hang out after their shift and do a bit of singing, so I decided to check it out. I noticed it was run by this super cute guy, whom I vaguely recognized as the DJ from when I used to frequent karaoke at Belvies before it caught on fire. But yeah. Super cute guy. Fantastic singing voice. Awesome taste in novelty tees. Still wearing a wallet chain in 2016...ehhhh...well, no one is perfect. I complimented him on his Goonies t-shirt one night, and thus started a habit of mini conversations between songs. After a few months of that, and a bit of deliberating as to whether or not I should just make a move and ask him out, sometime in mid-April, my one friend instructed me to open Facebook, told me the cute guy's last name, and ordered me to just friend him already and go from there (because this is the age we live in). So I did, and he accepted my request (and I squee'd a little inside) and I just figured, "Screw it. It's worth a shot" and messaged him to ask him out. And then I anxietied about it for what felt like seventeen hours until he messaged me back. But he said yes! And seemed excited about the idea! (And this time I squee'd out loud.) A few weeks later we hung out for the first time at Steel City Con, and then a few weeks after *that*, we went out for dim sum at a restaurant we have since learned was closed down for health code and labor violations (oops). After dinner we sat in his car talking each other's faces off for the better part of three hours and everything just felt so natural and fun, and I felt this super strong connection and thought "Man, this could be the start of something really cool". And it was. And here we are, four years later. Getting married. Whoda thunk. (Squee!)

Twas a brisk Friday evening in February of 2016. Like most Friday nights, I would host karaoke on the Hill of Troy at the establishment, Scratch Food & Beverage. Little did I know that on this particular night, things would change my life forever. On occasion, I would have the opportunity to exchange words with a particular staff member who stood out from the rest of her peers. She was attentive, witty, possessing a sunny disposition. Her hair was of a blue/green hue that only exemplified her charming smile and personality. I thought to myself, “Wow, she’s stunningly beautiful.” A geeky goddess. Whenever her name came up in my singers queue or she would approach for small-talk, I couldn’t help but feel giddy. I enjoyed being in her presence but never felt that it would progress from there. That evening, I’m pulled aside by her co-workers. “You know, Jenna thinks your cute right?” Speechless. “You two should totally go on a date.” Dumbfounded by this information, I return to my post. I process what just happened. I recall, bashfully trying to keep my composure whilst simultaneously, concerned if my patrons wondered why I was smiling ear to ear? I couldn’t believe that the one person I’ve been most intrigued and captivated by was interested in getting to know me. Arrangements were made to go on a date. As nervous as I was, everything felt so natural. As if, we had known each other for quite some time. We gorged on Dim Sum, returning to her residence, with full tummies and a lot more to talk about. It's unclear, how long our conversation continued for but it didn’t matter. I just wanted to remain in her company. I knew there’d come a point where we would eventually have to part but neither one of us seemed to have any inkling of concluding our first date. Now, four years later, surrounded by a bed of felines, we continue our conversations into the wee hours of some mornings. Sharing and laughing and at times, even singing. I don’t ever want this date to end.

-Sometime in Feburary-ish 2016: We met! -April 10, 2016: Jenna asked Travis out! -April 30, 2016: Went to Steel City Con to hang out one on one for the first time! -May 5, 2016: First date! -End of June 2016: First kiss! -August 26, 2016: Confess all those mushly love feelings to each other. Made it "official"! (Kept it mostly to ourselves) -October 10, 2016: Made it Facebook official! (No one was surprised) -October 2017: Moved in together! -March 2018: Bought a house! -April 2018: Moved into said house! -December 8, 2019: Got engaged! -October 3, 2020: Tied the Knot, pandemic style via the zooms -October 14, 2023: Finally time to party! Reception-stravaganza!