Justin & Jennifer

Jennifer's version:

Actually, it was a happy hour for young politicos that just happened to be in Georgetown at a lounge with a dress code that served specialty drinks. So not really what you're imagining as a typical bar. And I'd already been to an inaugural ball four years prior, so he was basically luring me with the fact it was the one the President would attend.  I figured he was a Southern boy who would mind his manners so I only agreed to go with him as a new friend and fellow Capitol Hill climber. And there were thousands of fresh yellow roses everywhere and we had a good time at the ball and welcomed W and Laura into their first day of their second term as President and First Lady.

We barely kept in touch. I was busy working on Senate campaigns, and then adjusting my career path into public relations. He was busy at USDA, then he moved to Chicago. Smack dab in the middle of downtown Chicago. So when I visited friends there one March, we met up and reconnected. The next few years are kind of a blur for me (I don't remember backwards with as much detail on timing and dates as he does), but we saw each other every two or three weeks and even though I respected him and knew he was someone special in my life, something didn't quite feel balanced. We broke up and didn't talk much. He put his foot down and actually told me to not call or contact him. And he meant it. But I didn't quite understand all that, so I still texted him Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas every year anyway.

So, he came to DC for a meeting in the spring of 2013 and we had lunch and caught up on each other’s life. I was glad to be getting my friend back. That was big progress! That year my family was having Thanksgiving in Naperville (just outside of Chicago), and I'd remembered him saying he'd recently moved away from the city to a small town near Naperville, so I texted and invited him to join us if he didn't already have plans. He ended up inviting me over to see his new house the Saturday morning after Thanksgiving. So I asked, politely, if he wouldn't mind saving me a piece of pecan pie, or maybe we could make one together. When I showed up, he already had the ingredients sitting out on the counter ready to go....and some dark chocolate chips to mix in. Mmm, my favorite!

Yep, he mentioned the Derby, and since we were just being friends, he told me about some of his dating adventures and then he told me something like: "you know, I've dated other women, but you are the only one I’ve ever been in love with." And I couldn't pay attention to the pie anymore. I tried to ignore that, and tried to pretend that was just the warm pecan pie talking, so I let that go in one ear and out the other. I went on my merry way, enjoyed Christmas with my family, and my single self was happy and good and at peace with where I was in the world.

We texted a few times. I went to visit him in January and he brought up the love thing again, so I felt that he probably needed some sort of closure and figured I could be honest and transparent and help with that. So we talked, and he tells me that he can't be my friend. Yep, again. That's three times already! He said it has to be "All or Nothing". I certainly didn't want the "Nothing" option. Loosing him as a friend forever, well, I just can't even imagine that. I was actually in a place in my life where I could explore the "All" option. So I prayed about it, journaled about it, and thought about it for about 10 days. Then I went to visit him and told him I wanted to explore the "All". We laid down some ground rules, and committed to figuring this out, whichever way it ended up. It didn't take long for us to realize it was finally the right time and the right person. God's been molding, shaping, bending, and refining each of our hearts the whole time. I marvel at how He has woven our lives together over the last 10 years and has given me peace and love and trust and faith. I understand what they mean when they say "you know, when you know". When Justin surprised me with his proposal I joyfully said Yes.

We're getting married in a chapel. And we want our family and friends to be present with us as we make this lifetime commitment to each other before God.

After the wedding, you're all invited to join us for dinner and some music and dancing in the Stables at Integrity Hills.