The beginnings...

Very soon I will be getting on a plane and traveling around the world to visit my best friend, and boyfriend, Jarrod.  He is teaching ESL in Seoul, South Korea - and after many months of late night phone conversations, video chats, and emails, we will finally reunite.

Jarrod and I have been friends since high school, although not right away.  We met in 10th grade when I moved to Virginia and started attending Eastern Mennonite High School.  It wasn't until our 12th grade year that we really interacted much, being in the same physics class that Fall semester. Jarrod caught my eye while we were doing labs because he could make me laugh and feel special.  It wasn't until later in the Spring of our Senior year that we really started to get to know each other, and at graduation that our friendship developed into something deeper.

We started dating (officially) on Jarrod's 18th birthday, and spent the summer months holding hands, taking walks, and savoring that "first kiss" before I left for college at William and Mary.  A few months after being in college, we broke up and decided we needed to deepen our friendship before thinking about getting back together.  This started a 5 year process (2001-2006) of us growing as individuals - but maintaining a cherished friendship.. while I completed a BS in Kinesiology at W&M, Jarrod completed an Associates Degree at BlueRidge Community College and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College, I lived abroad in Honduras for 9 months, and Jarrod traveled to Japan, Uganda, and Honduras.

In the Summer of 2006, we found ourselves both in Virginia for 2 months, and spent much of our free time together, knowing we had a valued friendship and seeing if it would grow into something deeper.  On my (Stephanie's) 23rd Birthday, August 5, 2006, Jarrod asked me if I would begin to pursue marriage with him.  Yes!

But then, he moved to Korea.  So here we are... months later.. and I am eagerly anticipating this trip.. to see a new part of the world and be reunited with this man I care so much about.  It's gonna be good!