We never could have imagined that swiping right on the Her app would end in such a beautiful union! It wasn’t soon after matching that we started to message and before you know it, our first date was planned. We eagerly met up at a Starbucks since we share a mutual love of coffee, and it seemed like a relaxed atmosphere to meet your future wife…or at least to see if the chemistry was there in person. Anyone can be totally and utterly attracted to another being’s long, dark hair, beautiful smile and sense of humor but would it be that of a lasting love? After a cup of coffee and a wonderfully natural and comfortable conversation we decided to continue our date with a trapse over to the nearby mall. Apparently, time was flying by whilst in each other’s company because, before we knew it, the mall was closing, and we were far from wanting to leave each other’s side. What other choice did we have but to head back over to Starbucks until they closed? Going home wasn’t an option with this connection so we made ourselves comfortable back inside that very Starbucks that just a few years later, in February of 2022, was the exact location of Natalie’s thoughtfully crafted proposal to Jenn! The next year was full of anticipation and commuting as we spent most of our time in a long-distance relationship, driving back and forth to visit each other between Frederica and Newark. We wondered how and if we would ever live closer to each other and as the connection we shared grew to love so did the opportunity to live under the same roof. March of 2020 Natalie made the trek North to move into Jenn’s Newark apartment and so it began! Just as the pandemic hit and everything shut down, we shacked up in our cozy but cramped apartment with our fur babies Sammie, Sage and Max joined us soon after. This transition was a true testament of our love, desire and patience. As we were flourishing as a couple during a time of such uncertainty elsewhere and our family was lovingly growing, so was our desire (or need) for just a little more space. So began the search and after several months of looking for the perfect apartment to meet our needs, we finally moved into our condo. Not long after we settled in, we unexpectedly became homeowners of the very space we had once imagined only renting but the pride and peace of it finally becoming OUR home was a true gift. What a wonderful opportunity it was to finally have the space and comfort for us to all be together under one roof, with enough room for more furry companions, queue Sarge who was welcomed in 2021 and Oliver surely brightened our days in 2023! Throughout our years together we have experienced such beautiful memories, we have grown individually and as partners, we have celebrated personal and professional victories and have continued to honor and support each other through even the more painful moments of loss and grief. Our mutual love, loyalty and desire to always show up for one another is unspeakable. We find great comfort in each other’s presence and trust the love we share is reciprocated beyond comprehension as it is felt on levels few can speak of. Life together has been full of so many moments in which our love has been confirmed, reinforced and strengthened. The bond we share is everlasting and a true love story as we are stepping forth into this next chapter so grateful for the love we know and share. - Written by Courtney the Officiant