Our Story

Jess and Ben met a few times prior to the summer of 2019 through their mutual friend, Elliot. From what Jess and Ben remember, the first few times they met were casual get-togethers at Elliot's house or trips to McDonald's for ice cream cones with mutual friends. Jess assumed she had nothing in common with Ben, and Ben had no idea what to say to Jess. They crossed paths, but never spent much time together.

Jess and Ben spent lots of time together during the summer of 2019 with mutual friends in South Windsor who were enjoying their time off from school. Jess had just graduated from high school and Ben had just finished his second year of college.

As they got to know each other better, they quickly realized they were actually quite similar and had a lot in common. Even though they were about to become long distance almost immediately, Jess and Ben began dating in August of 2019 on the day Ben moved in with some of his friends to a house in West Hartford.

Jess and Ben began dating long-distance, as Jess started her freshman year at Marist and Ben continued undergrad at Central.

They spent weekends and school breaks visiting each other, and weekdays editing each other's papers.

COVID began and Jess returned home due to colleges closing in-person classes. Although Jess and Ben were no longer long distance, social distancing restrictions maintained their primary form of contact as video-calls.

They didn't enjoy being separated, however hiking became super exciting because it was the only way they could be together in-person.

COVID continued to limit Jess and Ben's ability to see one another. Once Jess returned to in-person classes at Marist, updated restrictions prohibited them from visiting each other at all.

Jess and Ben continued to visit each other on school breaks, and enjoyed sending letters and spending time on video-calls to stay connected.

Ben graduated from undergrad, and COVID restrictions began to go away. Jess and Ben had a blast working together at a summer camp! The campers quickly realized they knew each other pretty well when Ben would deliver s'mores from his wilderness class to Jess' arts and craft classes.

They enjoyed the summer traveling to visit friends and joking about silly camp stories. Once Jess and Ben returned to school, with Ben starting his full-time teaching job, they continued their long distance routine of visits and phone calls.

Jess and Ben worked a second summer together at the summer camp, and Ben began grad school. They enjoyed another great summer full of trips, good food, and spending time with their friends!

Jess began her senior year at Marist, and Ben continued teaching and attending grad school. Jess and Ben were excited that there was an end in sight for the long distance! They spent one final school year visiting each other on weekends and breaks, and using phone and video calls to stay in touch.

They took their first long distance trip together to LA during Jess' spring break and had so much fun! Jess graduated from Marist and moved back home to her parents' house in South Windsor to begin grad school. After 4 years of long distance, they finally lived in the same state full-time!

Jess and Ben worked a third summer together at the summer camp, teaching classes and swapping silly stories!

Jess worked her way through grad school and spent nearly every weekend visiting Ben in West Hartford.

Jess was finally done with school and on the hunt for a full-time job. Jess and Ben worked their fourth summer together at the summer camp, and spent evenings talking about what was to come now that they were finally going to be living and working in the same place.

Ben finished grad school, and they were finally all finished with school! They ended the summer with a rainy but beautiful trip to Acadia to celebrate their 5 year anniversary!

Jess began her full-time job in Connecticut. Jess and Ben continued to swap work stories, except this time it was school events, not camp events!

Jess moved in with Ben to that very same house in West Hartford from the beginning of their story!

Jess and Ben took a trip abroad to Portugal for their 6th anniversary. They had a great time exploring Lisbon and Sao Miguel. Ben proposed to Jess during their trip!

Coming Soon: Jess and Ben get married!!!