It all began on a dark and stormy night in May 2019 when JP invited Kristina out for a drink despite a downpour. We arrived at Hotel Vermont, where Kristina ordered a $30+ bourbon only to discover that JP doesn’t drink. Undeterred, we settled in by the fireplace, chatting about Vermont, our mutual love of dogs, and enjoying easy conversation that made the storm outside feel like part of the story.

By our third date, the adventure had already begun. We planned to meet in the middle of the Waterbury Reservoir in kayaks. JP, who had been camping the night before, was (unsurprisingly) late. Kristina, with no cell service, briefly thought she was being stood up in the most remote and inconvenient way possible. But JP did arrive, and what followed was a perfect Vermont summer day: kayaking, swimming, grilling, and the beginning of a tradition we still keep—returning each year to camp there on our anniversary.

In January 2020, we moved in together, just in time to spend a truly unprecedented amount of togetherness during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Shortly after, we adopted Ellis and brought him home to Vermont. He instantly added more joy, more love, and significantly more dog hair to our lives.

Over the years, we’ve built a life full of both big steps and everyday moments. JP went back to school to pursue a meaningful career in education. We’ve traveled near and far, from local camping trips and endless dog walks to adventures in Alaska, Mexico, and Italy. We’ve learned to cook favorite meals for each other, grow a garden, and deepened the kind of partnership that makes even the ordinary feel special.

In 2025, we found and bought our forever home. In August 2026, we made it even better by adopting Zissou, who brought a whole new level of excitement, enthusiasm, and joyful chaos to our household.

Along the way, we built a life we love, and found in each other a deep sense of comfort and understanding. What we’ve created together is more than we ever could have hoped for: a partnership that feels like home. And this is just the beginning.