Oklahoma Jack and Derek first met in the Fall of 2011, at the intersection of Boyd St and Elm Ave in Norman, Oklahoma. Jack had just arrived at the University of Oklahoma and Derek was leaving for a year of teaching English abroad. Derek noticed Jack in the backseat of a convertible Volkswagen Beetle next to him at the redlight. Their two mutual friends noticed the chemistry and introduced them. In the Spring of 2013, they connected again when Derek was back in town for a wedding, and that was just the beginning. Texas Derek moved to Dallas that year and Jack came to town the following summer for an internship. They spent the entire summer together, going to movies on the lawn and dancing the nights away at Round Up. Jack moved to San Antonio and for the next few years, they saw each other at weddings, holiday parties, and a birthday party in the Texas Hill Country. Then, in January 2018, Jack’s company transferred him to the head office in Dallas. Home For two years, their love grew surrounded by supportive friends at weekly Sunday Movie Nights, spring ski trips to Colorado, NYE road trips to New Orleans, and many more nights dancing at Round Up. They moved in together at the beginning of the pandemic, and had more adventures together from New Mexico road trips to California ski trips. In 2022, they bought their first home in Dallas and in 2023 were engaged in Fort Lauderdale while celebrating Jack’s 30th birthday with friends and days at the beach and nights of Fourth of July fireworks and dancing. They look forward to celebrating their nuptials in the Sierra Nevada with friends and loved ones who are part of their story.