Joe and Jess met 7 years ago at a going away party for mutual friends (special shoutout to Andy and Lori!) at First Magnitude Brewing Company in Gainesville. Joe thought Jess was cute and struck up a conversation. They instantly clicked, but after Joe left without getting her number, Jess figured she would probably never see him again. A few weeks later, he reached out on Facebook, and the rest was history.

Their first date was at The Top in downtown Gainesville, sharing burgers and lasted nearly 8 hours! From the very beginning, being together felt easy, fun, and natural. What started as a simple first date quickly turned into seven years of adventures, laughter, and building a life together.

Over the years, Joe and Jess have traveled all over the U.S., making memories everywhere from weekend road trips to bigger adventures. They love exploring new places, trying unique restaurants, and spending time with their sweet dog, Coco, who is such a special part of their lives. Along the way, their love continued to grow, and together they found the perfect balance in one another — bringing out the best in each other through laughter, adventure, and life’s everyday moments.

In March 2026, during a birthday weekend getaway to Providence Canyon State Park with Coco, Joe finally decided it was about time to make things official. After a weekend spent hiking the canyons, exploring Columbus, eating their way through town, and walking along the Riverwalk, Joe proposed on the last day of the trip on a peaceful rock island along the Chattahoochee River. Of course, Jess said yes — though she will jokingly tell you it was about time he finally asked!

Now, they’re excited to start their biggest adventure yet — married life together.