L & J

Once upon a time in the bustling departments of an Atlanta Nordstrom department store, fate conspired to bring two hearts, from opposite sides of the country, together under one roof. Our story begins with the serendipity of workplace connections and the gentle nudge from a mutual coworker who would forever change our lives. Our office cupid noticed the potential for something extraordinary and decided to play matchmaker. With a twinkle in their eye, they unknowingly set in motion a casual introduction that would set in motion the start of our future. As we exchanged our first greetings at the Bobbi Brown counter in the Cosmetics Department, little did we know that this chance meeting would blossom into something more. Day by day, as we navigated the challenges of keeping our new relationship a mystery in the workplace, our bond grew stronger. Initial conversations about work and hobbies soon gave way to shared laughter, common interests, and the discovery of a genuine connection that transcended the professional realm. Seeking to get out of the ebb and flow of "dating on the clock", our first date was planned, executed, and surprisingly, unenjoyable. The choice was made to try one more time, as maybe the stars weren't aligned for us the first time. Our second attempt was not in vain and assured us that there was potential in what we were pursuing. Our story took a beautiful, yet unexpected twist when, not long after becoming a couple, we found out that we would be expecting our first child to be born in December of 2017. After welcoming our first child, the following year the adventure continued as we opened our hearts and embraced the joy of blending our lives and expanding our family to his, at that time, amazing 7-year-old son. Navigating the challenges of parenthood has been an incredible journey, and it's in those sleep-deprived, anxiety filled, "which way is up" moments, that we experienced our first of many examples of patience and teamwork. Together, we've tackled the midnight feeds, celebrated the little victories, and marveled at every milestone our boys have conquered. Fast forward a few months, we decided to embark on another momentous chapter - the purchase of our first home together. From the moment we received the keys, our house became a canvas for dreams. The excitement of choosing furniture, the thrill of decorating rooms, and the warmth of creating a space that truly reflects 'us' made it a milestone in our journey together. And so, as we prepare to say 'I do,' with gratitude to our former workplace and a special acknowledgment to our matchmaker, join us in celebrating not only our love story, but the story of us as parents – a tale of teamwork, love, and the joyous journey into the wonderful world of family. We embark on this journey together—a journey that began with a simple introduction, grew amidst the hum of retail life, and now finds its culmination in the celebration of our new beginning.