Marriage

Our Love Story

Jeremy and I met in July 2007 at Boston University Orientation.  I was a new student, and Jeremy was an upperclassman who had a summer job with the Orientation Office.  As fate would have it, I was paired into Jeremy's orientation group, so he showed me around campus and helped me pick my classes.  Throughout Orientation, we chatted a bit and became friendly.  (No, not that friendly.)  After Orientation, I friended him on Facebook and we continued to chat.

When school started, we quite literally bumped into each other at Splash! (Boston University's Welcome Weekend of sorts.)  We exchanged niceties and said we should hang out some time.  Within a few short weeks, we made good on that deal, and began hanging out regularly, just as friends.  Friendship turned into flirtation, and flirtation turned into like.  A short time later, Jeremy officially asked me to be his girlfriend.  I was young and not really looking for a committed relationship, but he convinced me.

Throughout the next several years, Jeremy and I had an amazing relationship, but more importantly, we became the very best of friends.  Whenever something great happened to me, he'd be the first person I'd call.  Whenever something horrible happened to me, he'd always be there for me, ready to pick up the pieces.  We bared our souls to each other, and fell into a deeper love than I ever knew existed, a love based on trust, kindness, consideration, loyalty, and mutual respect.

Sometimes friends will ask me how I knew Jeremy was "The One."  And while certain meaningful moments stick out in my mind, there was no specific moment where I "knew."  I knew he was the One because of what a wonderful person he is.  He is considerate and kind, surprised me with thoughtful gifts, listened to me, always treated me, my family, and my friends with respect, never judged me, never controlled me, was always proud of me, encouraged me, supported me, and he always made me a priority.  He can make me laugh, even when I'm in a hospital bed.  He never abandoned me when the going got tough.  Instead he opted to be my partner and stand beside me through all of the ups and downs. 

In early 2010, we started discussing marriage, and in August 2010, Jeremy proposed to me in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, on a sail boat at sunset.  I tearfully accepted his beautiful proposal, and we called our closest friends and family to share the news.  I remember that we were so busy calling people with the good news, most of the restaurants had already closed down before we had a chance to eat dinner.  We ran into this little tapas place just as they were about to close.  We apologized for coming in so late, explained that we'd just gotten engaged, and begged them to keep the kitchen open.  They kindly agreed, and I remember being so happy that I snuck into the same side of the booth as Jeremy, just so we could cuddle as we ate.  It was the happiest day of my life.

After a stressful wedding planning process, we were married on August 4, 2012, in Lincolnville, Maine.  We had a lovely ceremony officiated by a friend of ours (who is a United Methodist minister) and celebrated with our family and friends.  We shoved cake in each other's faces and danced the night away.  Our special day was followed by an amazing honeymoon on Hawaii's Big Island.

Since our wedding, we moved to Chicago from Boston and back again.  We've been navigating newlywed life,

family challenges, parenting our two trouble-making cats, and our careers.  We've done a bit of traveling throughout Portugal and French Polynesia, and can't wait to do some more!

We have already lived "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health," and I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us.  This is our love story, and I'm so blessed to be on this journey.