Jenna and Derek’s story technically began long before either of them realized it would turn into forever. They first met in middle school, where Jenna’s earliest contribution to their relationship was cheating off Derek’s homework. A strong foundation built on trust… eventually. By eighth grade, they were playing in band together, and throughout high school they continued to run in the same circles—friends of friends, parties, football games, but somehow always missing the timing. That alignment finally came at Penn State. What started as hanging out quickly turned into Derek spending just about every night at Jenna’s dorm. He’d walk her to morning classes, meet up to study, grab lunch between lectures, attend every sporting event they could, and—like any proper college students—true to the full Penn State experience—got hammered together more times than they could count. Somewhere between late-night talks, shared routines, and laughter that never seemed to run out, it became clear that this was more than just friendship. In Spring 2020, right as the world hit pause, Jenna and Derek officially became a couple—earning the title of “quarantine couple.” From that moment on, they have been quite literally inseparable, navigating every high and low together with humor, patience, and a whole lot of love. Now, more than half a decade later, they’ve been together longer than they were ever apart as adults—and they’ve known each other for over half of their lives. That shared history shows in everything they do. They communicate effortlessly, laugh constantly, and move through life with a quiet confidence that comes from truly knowing one another. They’ve grown up together, evolved together, and chosen each other every step of the way. One thing that has always defined Jenna and Derek is their shared love of travel. Together, they’ve lived in three different states, traveled to 15 states and seven countries. No matter where they are, they’ve learned that “home” is really just wherever the two of them are together. In the winter of 2023, their family grew by four paws with the arrival of their fur baby, Skye. Life before her feels almost impossible to remember now. Whether she’s tagging along on walks, stealing the spotlight in photos, or reminding them who’s really in charge, Skye made their little team complete. Jenna and Derek also share a deep love of sports, though loyalty has not always been kind to both sides. Jenna’s Boston teams have brought her plenty of joy over the years, while Derek’s DC teams have… built character. She's slowly working on converting him, hoping he can experience a championship win every now and then. Then came 2025- In that single year alone, Jenna and Derek made the big move to Charleston, South Carolina, officially putting down roots in a place that feels like home in all the right ways. They traveled across Europe together, soaking in history, culture, and countless unforgettable moments. They drank wine under the Eiffel Tower, baked croissants in Paris, tried foods they’d never tasted before, and soaked in every moment of what became the most memorable vacation they’ve taken to date. And on a trip to Maine—Jenna’s favorite place in the world, and now their place—Derek asked Jenna to spend the rest of her life with him. Above all else, Jenna and Derek are best friends. They are soulmates, partners in everything, each other’s biggest supporters, and the kind of couple who makes everything better just by doing it together. They balance each other perfectly, laugh constantly, and face life as a united front. They are so excited to celebrate their union with all of you and are incredibly grateful for the love and support that has shaped their journey. Life is good. And the best is yet to come. Cheers! 🥂