Right before COVID, my coworker at Victoria’s Secret (Lexi, MOH) wanted me to go on a blind date with her uncle. I set the meeting place as Chili’s in East Peoria. It’s casual, food is consistent and I wasn’t looking for anything serious anyway. Funny thing is, my Mom and Lee has their first date at Chili’s as well. I stepped out of my car and Jamie was standing there right outside of my car door. The first thing he says to me was, “You are even more beautiful in person.” I thought to myself, this man is a smooth talker… sure enough it worked! We sat in Chilis for 3+ hours that night. I could talk to him all day. I remember calling Lexi as I left and told her how much I really liked him, but I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, neither was he. I spent 2 weeks not speaking to him. I then got his phone number from Lexi and sent him a text message saying his Verizon plan has been upgraded and he now has my phone number. A few weeks after he moved in with me. - 2 months later we moved to a little cottage in Bartonville - 4 months after we moved to St.Cloud, MN - 2 years later we moved to Concord, NC - 1 year later we moved into a camper in the woods If you can live in a metal box with someone, you know you were made for each other.

On Vacation in Cinque Terre, Italy we decided to go on a last minute morning hike. We noticed a ton of people climbing the mountain near our Air BNB the day before. A difficult hike was the last thing I saw myself doing on a relaxing vacation, but hiking is something we like to do together back home. Come to find out, this hike is nicknamed, “Lovers Lane”. Halfway up all the steps I had to stop and take a breather. He was really okay if we stopped and said we can turn around. I know he was excited to see the view up top and I told him I’m going to make it up there. I am not a quitter. The view from the top was worth it. We relaxed for a little bit and I was trying to find a place to set my phone up to get a picture with him. Jamie was typing on google translate in Italian to get this couple to take our video, little did he know they were French and didn’t speak much English. I was not expecting it at all. I had brought all these cute outfits for all my romantic days but I should have known to do my hair that morning. They recorded the video and afterwards told us, “We wish you happy life and 3 babies!!” 😂 It was so perfect and unexpected. Jamie said, “Life is not easy, just like climbing this mountain but there is no one else I’d rather do it with.”