The Story of Us

He speaks my language...he always has. He understands my crazy and loves me regardless. I think that is just about all that anyone can hope for. Sometimes things just fall into place...some call it serendipity...kismet...fate. Whatever it is I am very grateful and I know how lucky I am. In fact, Jeff was actually delivered by my father. I always tell him that he was hand picked...literally.

Jeff and I met in high school. We had mutual friends (Mike and Kami) and we were both in marching band. He was on the drum line and I was on the dance team. I remember one afternoon at band camp we had just gotten back from lunch and I was sitting in the car with friends and Jeff was leaning up against a tree playing a snare...I was smitten.  We had our eyes on each other well before we actually started dating but our timing was a little off. The stars had to align.

April 1992 - My Senior Prom

Being together at such a young age can be problematic. People grow and change. Luckily we have grown together. And at the risk of sounding sickeningly sweet, every year just gets better and better. If love is the foundation of our relationship then humor is the mortar. We have never taken ourselves too seriously...our relationship yes but not ourselves. I think a true understanding that he can't read my mind and I can't read his also helps. Don't get me wrong...we still drive each other a little crazy but we never question the foundation. 

April 1993 - Jeff's Senior Prom

We were engaged September 4, 1997. Jeff proposed on the beach of the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World. It was early, we had just gotten settled into our room and were going exploring. No parks on this day just settling in. I wanted to purchase a 25th Anniversary brick for the walk around the world. And, being very me, I was insistent that we had to do it right then. Apparently I upset Jeff's proposal plans...he knows me so well. He knew that I would want to make that brick a marker for our engagement date and so he asked me. It was spontaneous, sweet, funny and very typical us. Romantically we were on the beach of the seven seas lagoon with a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle. However I believe his words were "Hey Jen, you wanna get married?" Being that we had dated for 6 years at this point the answer was no big surprise. That same night we went back to that same spot and watched the fireworks. It's become our spot. The best place in all of WDW to watch fireworks!

We were married on June 12, 1999 at the Springer Opera House. I believe my bother said he had never seen a production quiet like this one. Jeff picked out my wedding dress, I know it's not the norm but I wanted him to really love it. We picked all of the music together from the prelude to the reception. On the day of we took all of our pictures before the ceremony so we could go straight to the reception after. I remember right before the ceremony started...Jeff and I had a moment to ourselves. He was a little nervous, not about the marriage but about it all going smoothly. I was calm as a cucumber. I told him that it doesn't matter if it all goes as planned or not...just that we are married at the end of the day. We each wrote our own vows. I was taken back at the tender words Jeff spoke. He was not always the best with words or expressions of feelings it was usually all in his eyes. My brother walked me down the aisle. My sister read "Love is patient...", my sister in law read "Why I love you" and our friend Jason read a beautiful poem by Pablo Neruda. We had 14 of our friends stand up for us and my niece as our flower girl. It really was a perfect for us ceremony right down to my veil catching on the stairs as we left. The reception was fun and laid back. Everyone seemed to have a good time. A perfect beginning to this new chapter.

We graduated from college and moved to Disney World. Well, we moved to Orlando to work for the mouse. It was just going to be temporary. We just wanted to play for a while before we got "real" jobs. Most of the time things don't work out like you plan...and that's ok. We've had so many great opportunities to create *Magic*. Sometimes even together. 

We went on the adventure of becoming parents and have been blessed with our son. Now we share our magic with him. I wouldn't want it any other way! When Carson was born Jeff would say "I'm about to be replaced". But Jeff is still the number one man in my life. I always make it a point to keep our relationship in focus. He comes first...even before Carson. That may sound strange but my thinking is that if we, Jeff and I, are ok then Carson will be just fine. It seems to be working thus far. 

Like most couples who have been together for so long Jeff and I have been through so much together: school, work, loss of friends and family. We always make it through. Jeff is my heart. I really struggle to describe how I feel about him. When I look in his eyes I am a better person. If I am struggling...he need not say anything but hold me tight. And boy does he make me laugh!