J2Infinity

Aug. 18: Janet moves to

Southwestern

August 18

Janet moves to Texas to Southwestern University. She makes her way to Brown Cody Floor 3 and Meets her Resident Assistant, Jenny

Oct. 6

Quad Delta Induction

October 6

Janet joins as the second class of a secret mock sorority that Jenny and two other friends formed the year before.

"We're Four Change"

October 28:

First picture

First picture together on Facebook from the KYX fall party

October 28

Nov. 20: Janet is inducted

Janet is inducted into Sigma Phi Lamb, the sorority that really facilitates their friendship.

November 20

Dec. 7: Secret Santa

Jenny has Janet in their sorority's secret Santa gift exchange. Jenny gives her a blanket. Janet likes it.

(2019 update: Janet thinks the family dogs have the blanket now).

December 7

Dec. 17: Jenny Releases an Album

and Janet is definitely her biggest fan.

December 17

February Sometime

Jenny bounces a ball into Janet's face and breaks Janet's glasses

February

Happy Birthday, Janet

April 4

Jenny makes her first post on Janet's Facebook wall. The post is, predictably, weird.

April 14

Phi Lamb Formal

April 14

Janet's first formal!

Fall 2007:

Intramural Sports!

Fall Semester

Janet and Jenny play on several intramural sports teams together. Janet learns that Jenny is rather competitive.

November 2: SING!

November 2

Jenny participates in her first SING!* Janet in her second.

They also have a "shot" competition at IHOP afterward using coffee creamers. Jenny wins. Janet disputes this win to this day. 

*SING! is a musical singing and dancing competition that Southwestern University used to host during homecoming.

Nov. 9: Friendshipiversary

November 9

Although they'd known each other for over a year, Janet and Jenny took their first drive together after a paint-your-own pottery event with their sorority. It was the first of many times they'd drive around the back roads near Georgetown talking about everything and nothing at all. They see it as the start of their real friendship.

January

Jenny and Janet get closer, start hanging out more frequently.

January

Feb. 17: Happy 21st Jenny

February 17

Janet cleans Jenny's room for Jenny's birthday. Jenny hosts a party at her apartment.

April 4: Janet's 20th

Birthday

April 4

Janet's birthday party takes over the entire back room of IHOP. After a year of trash talk, Janet claims her rightful title as champion of creamer shots.

April 10: Officer Election

April 10

Jenny (Pres.) and Janet (V.P.) are elected as officers in their sorority.

April 12: Phi Lamb Formal

April 12

Jenny is voted "most likely to have a TV show."

Janet is voted "most likely to cure cancer."

August 15-17: Officer Retreat

August 15

Jenny and Janet went on Phi Lamb officer retreat somewhere near Midlothian, TX.

November 27: Thanksgiving Break

November 27

Janet meets Diane, Jenny's mom, and Jared, Jenny's brother.

There is no photo evidence.

Fall Semester

Fall Semester

Jenny and Janet become even closer friends.

Notable events:

• Jenny breaks a tooth.
• They leave SING! practice together to watch Obama win California and the presidency. It is both of their first presidential elections voting.
• Janet marches against California Prop 8.
• They start going "shopping" (to a bar) with other awesome people after phi lamb meetings.

Spring Semester

More college activities. Jenny's last semester on campus.

Feb. 17: Jenny's 22nd Birthday

February 17

Janet tells Jenny that she's a 1 (rather than a 0) on the Kinsey Scale* "because of you." Jenny is, predictably, awkward and it's four years before they discuss it again.

Janet steals Jenny's keys and decorates Jenny's office for her birthday.

Janet goes with Jenny and friends to a recording studio in Austin, where Jenny was recording an EP.

*The Kinsey Spectrum of Sexuality ranges from 0 = Exclusively Heterosexual to 6 = Exclusively Homosexual

Mar. 28: Phi Lamb Formal

March 28

As Vice President, Janet plans the Gatsby Gala, hosting formal in the Georgetown library.

Jenny doubted it would work, but she was 100% wrong and continues to admit that to this day.

Jenny was voted "most likely to become a superhero."

Janet was voted "most likely to change the world.*"

*You may recall that Jenny won "most likely to have a TV show" and Janet won "most likely to cure cancer" in 2008. So... that's what our friends think of us.

April 4: Janet's 21st

Birthday

April 4

Janet celebrates her birthday with lots of wonderful friends. They go to dinner at Chuy's and dancing on 6th Street in Austin.

Jenny buys Janet her first legal drink (a New Mexican Martini).

May 8: Graduation

May 8

Jenny graduates from Southwestern University.

Janet helps make senior week amazing for the graduating seniors.

May 11: Jack's Mannequin Concert

May 22

Jenny, Janet, and many of their friends go to the Jack's Mannequin concert at Stubbs BBQ. It was the first concert Jenny and Janet attended together. Jack's Mannequin holds an important place in their relationship and has been the soundtrack to many of their best moments together.

Aug. 11: Goodbye

June 26

Jenny leaves Texas and moves to Florida for graduate school.

She has a going away dinner at Chuy's before leaving. Jenny and Janet don't see each other until December.

Dec. 30 - 31:

New Years Eve Wedding & Driving

December 30

Jenny returns from Florida and rides with Janet to Leigh and Ted's wedding.

Jenny comes out to Janet.

They road trip across Texas.

2010: Keep in Touch!

2010

Jenny and Janet keep in touch via email, texts, and snail mail (well that last one is really just Janet).

Janet Graduates from Southwestern and moves back to California.

2011: Wedding Reunion

2011

Jenny and Janet see each other at Mary and Felix's wedding.

2012: Keeping in Touch Pt. 2

2012

Janet and Jenny don't see each other in 2012, but they keep in touch digitally.

Mar. 2013: San Fran. Adventures

Jenny has a conference in San Francisco and Janet drives up to hang out with her afterward. They:

• go on a boat tour of the bay (featuring Bud Light Platinum)
• go to see Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin in concert.
• They end up going out to a bar after the show with him and the opening band (Barcelona).
• have a wonderful day that involves bread bowls, day drinking with Mayela, narcissism quizzes with Sara, irish coffee, and meeting Southwestern U. alumni at a random Italian restaurant.
• take their first hike together through Muir woods to Muir beach.
• realize they might have feelings for each other, but the timing is off.

March 2013

Nov. 2013: Texas Reunion

November 2013

Jenny and Janet see each other in Texas for Britt and Jessica's wedding and homecoming at Southwestern.

Aug. 2014

August 13-18

Jenny moves to Rancho Cucomonga, CA* to spend a semester at UC Riverside, bringing her within a 5-hour drive of Janet.

*Thanks, again, to the Collissons for giving Jenny a free place to live.

We wouldn't be an us if you hadn't.

Aug. 29-30

August 29

Jenny takes her first trip up to visit Janet in Fresno.

They celebrate College Colors Day and hang out with friends by/swim across the San Joaquin River.

Sept. 14

Janet and Jenny meet at Slater's 50/50 in Pasadena, CA and watch the 49ers lose to the Chicago Bears 20-28.

September 14

National Park # 1

Nov. 8-9

November 8-9

An opportunity arises for Jenny to visit Janet and she takes it.

They go to a Fresno State football game (got that Bulldog spirit) and Janet dares Jenny to hold her hand. They share their first kiss that evening.

The next day they take their first trip to Yosemite together for a sunset/night hike.

Nov. 22-24

Mary and Felix come to visit San Francisco. Jenny drives up and meets up with Janet and the two drive to San Francisco together.

On the car ride back they have their first talk about what it might mean to date one another. They later agree to go on a first date December 6, 2014.

November 22-23

Dec. 5

December 5

Jenny arrives in Fresno a day early for their first date to attend Janet's friend's Christmas party.

They dress as a Christmas tree and a present. Yes, they wore matching costumes before even dating. Yes, they are that gross.

Dec. 6

December 6

Janet plans an epic first date that includes a dinosaur show, beer tasting, a carnival, and teppanyaki. Jenny feels like the luckiest human on the planet.

Dec. 7

December 7

Jenny joins Janet for Janet's nephew, Aidan's, birthday party. She gets to meet most of Janet's immediate family, even if they think she's just Janet's random friend.

Later that night, while Janet is writing a passive-aggressive note to a neighbor who stole her assigned parking space, Jenny accidentally refers to Janet as "my girlfriend" while making fun of her. Janet chokes on the air, makes light of the situation, and that's how they become "official."

Dec. 12-13

Janet comes down to visit Jenny in Rancho Cucamonga. They go to a Jazz & Fondue club and, the next day, to a brewery where they share Wienerschnitzel and a tasting flight.

December 12-13

Dec. 14

National Park # 2

December 14

Jenny and Janet drive out to Joshua Tree N.P. to hike and watch the sunset.

Janet: "I just remember sitting there watching Jenny take my camera and try to get the best angle and thinking: she's such a weirdo, I love her. I mean, I think. I think! I think I'm falling in love with her."

Dec. 14

December 15

Jenny and Janet decide to hike ~12 miles with a 4300ft elevation gain in the snow to the top of Cucamonga Peak.

Jenny: "I was so cold and the pants I bought for the hike wouldn't stay up. I was grumbling along and then at some point I just looked at her, smiling, pushing through the snow, enjoying nature and I knew: I'm falling in love with this woman"

January

Jenny moves back to Florida and they start their long-distance relationship. They say goodbye at a Starbucks somewhere near I-10, outside of LA.

Janet calls Jenny "My favorite adventure" for the first time Jan. 8th.

On Jan. 26, they're on the phone and Janet is telling Jenny about how she did not get a restroom break during her CNS shift and accidentally peed her pants. Jenny laughs out loud and blurts out "I love you." After some awkward conversation, they say "I love you" to each other from then on.

February

Jenny gets job offers in the US and England. They consider their future together.

February

March

Jenny comes to California for a conference (SPSP), Janet picks her up after and they go to San Diego. Although they'd planned to ride a hot air balloon, it was too windy to fly. Instead, they go whale watching, bike riding, and hang out at their quirky resort.

From there, they head north and Jenny stays with Janet in Fresno for spring break. They go to a Fresno State basketball game, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon N.P.s, adventure around Fresno, and fly kites. Jenny also meets Janet's parents for the first time.

March

National Parks #3 & 4

April

April 18-20: Jenny accepts a job at Ohio University. They both meet in Ohio to house hunt.

April 30: Jenny graduates from the University of Florida with her PhD. Janet is there to help her celebrate.

April

May

May 6: Janet graduates from nursing school at Fresno State with her MSN and Jenny is there to help her celebrate.

May 9: They attend ApCal beer festival.

May 11: They climb upper Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Point.

May 12: They visit Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

June

June 7: Janet asks "will you keep me" and starts a new tradition in their relationship.

June 24: Janet comes to visit Jenny in Florida, they rent a room at a resort in Orlando. Sarah happens to be nearby.

June 25: They spend the day at the resort. Janet plays in the down-pouring rain.

June 26: The US Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage nationwide. Jenny cries. They celebrate.

June 27-30: They go back to Gainesville and enjoy local activities, including a boat trip in Cedar Key.

July

July 21-25: Janet comes to visit Jenny in Gainesville for the last time. They hang out with friends, visit all of Jenny's favorite spots, re-paint Jenny's walls, and snorkel in Crystal River/Three Sisters Springs

July

August

Jenny moves to Athens, OH and starts to get the house set up.

Aug. 27-Sept. 2:

Janet comes to visit Jenny in Athens to see her future house. They explore town and visit the Hocking Hills. The Hocking Hills becomes one of their favorite hiking spots in Ohio.

August

September

Sept. 27-29: Jenny visits California and they stay in San Francisco.

September

October

Oct. 3: Jenny and Janet start sharing locations.

Oct. 13: They make it "Facebook official."

Oct. 16: Jenny and Janet meet in Georgetown for Janet's 5-year reunion.

Oct. 19: Janet meets Jenny's dad

October

November

Nov. 25-29:

Janet spends her first Thanksgiving with Jenny's family. They adventure around Boston and travel with the family to New York City for Red Hot Hockey (Boston University v. Cornell).

Janet stays in Boston after Jenny leaves and hangs out with Jenny's mom and step-dad.

November

December

Dec. 6: Jenny and Janet celebrate their first anniversary by renting a hotel room in Columbus. Janet gets stuck in the Chicago airport on the way.

Dec. 7: They do their first escape room together. They will go on to do dozens more.

Dec. 10: They set up their first Christmas tree together.

Dec. 30: Jenny flies to Janet for New Years

January

After Janet's New Years Eve night shift, they head to Danny and Andrea's cabin to join the rest of the Del Real gang. Jenny gets to meet more of Janet's family. After visiting the cabin, they return to Janet's place in Fresno, where Janet reveals she has surprise early-birthday road-trip planned for Jenny.

The birthday trip involves a series of puzzle clues and leads them:

• down the Pacific Coast Highway from Monterrey to LA, where they have happy hour with Beth (Jan. 4).
• to Cal Poly Pamona for a tour of their brewing science program (Jan. 5).
• to a magical wonderful place called Hicksville Trailer Palace, just outside of Joshua Tree (Jan. 5), where Jenny's friend Kate joins them.
• hiking in Joshua Tree (Jan 6).
• to an escape room that they totally escape even with only 3 people, even though it was made for 10 people (Jan. 7).

They then head back to Fresno where they hang out with Janet's nursing school friends and Jenny gets to meet Ashley and Ali, Janet's childhood best friends.

Jenny comes back to California for a conference (SPSP) at the end of the month and they do another escape room.

February

Jenny visits Janet after a conference (Feb. 1-5). They visit the beach, Sequoia National Park, and hang out with friends.

Later that month (Feb. 14-18), Janet flies into Ohio, gets to meet Erin and Ben (they do an escape room), and sees her first snow. Janet throws a birthday party for Jenny and they visit the Hocking Hills.

Janet starts to make preparations to move to Ohio.

March

Jenny visits Janet (Mar. 12-20) for spring break. She gets to meet some of Janet's San Jose family.

They pick up Traci and Abby from the Oakland airport and the four take a trip to Sonoma, Yosemite, and San Francisco.

After Traci and Abby leave, they visit Half Moon Bay, and then to do a 5K with Janet's family in Modesto.

April

Jenny comes to California for Andy and Kim's wedding

(April 30). They do a paint night in Fresno and then head to Modesto for the wedding. Jenny gets to meet even more of Janet's family and they get a chance to enjoy time with everyone.

May

National Parks # 5-10

May

May 18: Janet meets Cohen

May 19: Jenny, Janet, and Cohen head east toward their new life.

May 20-21: Kathryn and Mike's wedding in St. Louis, MO.

May 23: Jenny and Janet arrive home and officially move in together.

They settle in and start to live life together in Athens.

May 4-5: Janet works her last shift at Valley Children's

May 11-13: Janet's going away party with Nursing friends at Hicksville

May 13: Jenny and Janet start their trek across the country.

• May 13-14: Grand Canyon N.P.
• May 14: Lake Powell
• May 15-16: Zion N.P.
• May 16: Bryce Canyon N.P.
• May 17: Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches N.P.s

June

June 6: Janet starts her new job at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

June 11-12: Jenny and Janet head to Kentucky to start the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with

Joy, Tessa, and Nikolette.

June 18: They do their first Athens Bike & Brew trail ride.

June 19: Janet's stuff finally arrives to Athens.

July

July 4: Jenny, Janet, and Cohen spend their first 4th together as a family.

July 8-10: Janet and Jenny road trip to Chicago where they see Britt & Jessica and Vaughn & Audrey.

July 14-18: They travel to California to attend Ashley & Paul's wedding and get to see family and friends.

July 29-31: They fly to Texas/Oklahoma to attend Hayley's wedding.

August

August 5-7: Jenny and Janet visit Colorado to attend a conference (APA; Kate wins an award and they celebrate Kate's birthday).

August 11: They take their first "Bong Hill" hike in Athens to watch the sun set.

They spend August returning to work and exploring Athens and Ohio

August

September

Sept. 5: Janet and Jenny visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

They continue to explore Ohio, hiking, hanging out with friends, and visiting Dayton.

Jenny's mom comes to visit and they host "Athens People who Brunch" chicken and waffle brunch.

National Park #11

October

Oct. 19-24: Janet and Jenny visit Modesto.

Oct. 22: They attend Vaughn & Audrey's wedding.

Oct. 28: They both vote in Ohio for the first time in a Presidental election and Ezgar comes to visit.

Oct. 29: They attend their first HallOUeen in uptown Athens.

National Park #12

November

Nov. 3-6: They head to Asheville for a conference (SSSP). They visit Great Smoky Mountains N.P.

Nov. 24: They attend friendsgiving in Athens.

Nov. 26: They decorate the house for their first Christmas living together.

November

December

Dec. 6: They celebrate their second anniversary.

Dec. 16: Traci and Abby come to visit and they go to a Steelers-Bengals game.

Dec. 24-25: They spend a quiet Christmas eve at home. Janet works Christmas day. They go to Christmas dinner with Charee and Josh in Columbus.

Dec. 28-31: They visit Boston to celebrate the New Year. Janet goes snow skiing for the first time.

January

Jenny and Janet spend a lazy January mostly at home in Athens.

January

February

Feb. 17: Janet organizes several surprises for Jenny's birthday:

• A beer bouquet with beers from her friends all over the country.
• Her mom and step-dad come to visit.
• Her best friend comes to visit.

Feb. 20: They visit New River Gorge National River.

National Parks # 13-14

March

Mar. 1-2: Jenny Interviews at the University of California, Merced.

Mar. 6-11: Jenny and Janet head to Seattle, where Jenny gives a talk at Pacific Lutheran University. They stay around for the rest of Jenny's spring break to visit Corey and spend spring break in the Pacific Northwest. They visit Olympic and Mount Rainier N.P.s.

Mar. 24-26: They go to visit Pittsburgh with Ryan, Sarah, and Sam.

April

April 5-10: After attending a conference in San Diego (SBM), Jenny meets Janet in Modesto to attend Megan and Jeff's wedding. They get to spend some time with Janet's family.

April 22: They participate in the March for Science.

April 28-30: They head to Georgia for Joy and Brad's wedding.

April 30: They visit Congaree N.P.

April

National Park #15

National Park # 16

May

May

May 1: Janet and Jenny go white water rafting in New River Gorge.

May 9-10: They visit Mammoth Caves N.P. and Janet meets Jenny's grandmother, Donna.

May 16-17: They complete the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with Nikolette.

May 26-30: They visit Boston for a conference (APS) and all of Jenny's siblings are also in town.

May 30: Jenny gets the official job offer from UC Merced.

June

National Park # 17

June 3: Jenny and Janet do their first "shuffle" in Athens.

June 7-8: Jenny and Janet visit Shenandoah N.P.

June 8-10: Jenny and Janet visit Washington D.C. for Pride with Hector and Mia.

June 14-18: Jenny and Janet visit California to officially accept Jenny's job at UC Merced, house hunt, and tell everyone that they were moving back.

June 21: A seller accepts Jenny and Janet's offer on a house.

June 27: They leave the country for a two-week trip to Spain to attend a conference (EASP) and vacation.

June 27-30: They visit Malaga, Spain.

June 30-31: They visit Sevilla, Spain.

June

July

July 1- 13: They travel Spain.

• 1-2: Sevilla
• 2-4: Rota and Gibraltar with Chris and Susan
• 4-9: Granada
• 9-13: Barcelona with Erin and Ben

July 16-22: Their last Ohio Brew Week living in Athens.

July 26: Janet's last day at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

July 27: Movers come to take everything to California.

July 29: Ryan hosts their goodbye party in Athens.

July 31: They sign paperwork to start the home-buying process.

July

National Parks # 18-24

August

August

Aug. 1: Jenny, Janet, and Cohen leave Ohio. They pick up Jenny's mom, who is joining them to help them drive both cars West.

Aug. 2-3: They visit Voyageurs N.P.

Aug. 4-5: They visit North Dakota and Theodore Roosevelt N.P. then drive to Badlands N.P., in South Dakota. They are incidentally there for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Aug. 6: They visit Wind Cave N.P., Mt. Rushmore, and climb Black Elk Peak.

Aug. 7: They visit Devil's Tower National Monument.

Aug. 8-9: They visit Grand Tetons and Yellowstone N.P.s

Aug. 10: From a Starbucks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, they put a down payment on their Merced home and finalizing the purchase.

Aug. 11: After dropping Jenny's mom off in Utah, they visit Great Basin N.P.

Aug. 12: Jenny and Janet arrive at their temporary home in Modesto (Janet's parent's house) and start their lives as California residents.

September

Jenny and Janet spend September adjusting to life in California and starting the process of remodeling their new home. Janet starts work at Valley Children's (Sept. 11).

They fly to North Carolina for Kirsten and Rob's wedding (Sept. 30-Oct. 2).

September

National Parks #25-26

October

In October, Jenny and Janet continue to develop a routine and to establish themselves in their new jobs.

They go on their first annual "Cousin's Trip" with Lizette and Martha October 7th-11th visiting Redwoods N.P., Whiskeytown N.R.A., Shasta-Trinity Forest, and Lassen Volcanic N.P.

November

Janet and Jenny continue to work with a contractor to renovate their house. They also start to do some of their own external work with the help of Janet's parents. Everything takes much longer than expected.

They fly to Boston for Thanksgiving and the family takes a road trip to New York City to attend Red Hot Hockey (Boston University v. Cornell)

December

Dec. 6: Janet and Jenny celebrate their third anniversary with a spa day, delicious dinner, and the movie Coco.

They are still living in Modesto, waiting for their contractor to finish their house in Merced. It gives them extra time with the family during the holiday season.

They join Traci, Abby, Casey, and Toni in Sonoma for New Year's Eve.

They exceed their 2016 new year's goal of 170 miles hiked.

January

Jan. 1: Jenny and Janet get the Southwest Companion Pass (everywhere Jenny flies Janet flies free). This pass fundamentally changes their lives for the next 2 years.

Jan. 4: The contractor finishes the house and Jenny starts to put on the finishing touches.

Jan. 5: Janet's parents help Jenny move into the house.

Jan. 7: Jenny and Janet stay in their home for the first time.

Jan. 10-14: Jenny and Janet go to visit Jenny's dad in Houston.

January

February

Feb. 10: Janet and Jenny have Janet's family over for a housewarming party

Feb. 16-18: They go to Seattle for Jenny's birthday.

Feb. 23-26: They travel to Houston for Andy and Kate's wedding

National Parks # 27-28

March

Mar. 10: Jenny and Janet visit Big Trees Calaveras State park

Mar. 23-April 1: They visit Arizona with Jenny's mom and her mom's best friend, June, and get to visit Ezgar

• Mar. 23-24: Tuscon & Saguaro N.P.
• Mar. 25: Petrified Forest N.P.
• Mar. 26: Grand Canyon N.P.
• Mar. 27-28: Page- Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon N.R.A., Horseshoe Bend, Marble Canyon, Lake Powell
• Mar. 28-29: Sedona
• Mar. 30-April 1: Phoenix & Organ Pipe Cactus N.M.

April

April 4: Janet celebrates her 30th birthday with her family, teppanyaki, and karaoke.

Jenny and Janet spent April enjoying guests, hiking, and relaxing as Jenny's school year winds down. They take a trip to New Orleans for Jenny to attend a conference (SBM; April 11-17).

April

May

Friends come to visit and Jenny and Janet explore Fresno, Madera, and Yosemite with them. They also spend some quality time in Modesto celebrating family. At the end of the month they go to San Francisco for a conference (APS).

May 15: They go to Pinnacles N.P.

National Park #29

May

June

More friends and family come to visit. Jenny and Janet take lots of day (and one overnight) trips around the state with/to see these visitors.

June

July

Jenny and Janet return to Athens for Ohio Brew Week (July 14-19).

They also spend time with family and friends in California.

July

National Park #30

August

August

Janet and Jenny take Andy and Kim on a Cruise to the Southern Caribbean (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts) to thank them for letting Jenny and Janet live with them for almost five months.

Aug. 12: They visit US Virgin Islands National Park in St. Johns.

September

September finds Jenny and Janet returning to their normal routine. Jenny's brother visits.

September

October

Oct. 1: Jenny and Janet achieve a bucket list dream of climbing Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. They are joined by Janet's cousins, brother, and dad.

Oct. 26-29: They head on their second-annual cousin's trip to Colorado. They go to Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Rocky Mountain N.P.s

During a hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Janet surprises Jenny and proposes to her!

Jenny: "I was totally clueless and totally surprised. Janet was so thoughtful and it was the perfect proposal. Well, other than the fact that I was sleepy that morning and ignored advice from her cousins to make myself look put together."

October

National Parks #31-34

November

Janet and Jenny spend November celebrating their engagement and enjoying time together. They spend time with Janet's family for Thanksgiving and help put up a total of six Christmas trees.

November

December

Dec. 10-15: Janet and Jenny go to Cabo San Lucas Mexico to celebrate their 4th anniversary.

Jenny's mom, brother, and step-dad come for Christmas. Janet and Jenny host both the Hall-Howells and the Del Reals for Christmas Eve.

December

January

Jenny and Janet visit Jenny's dad in Texas and get to catch up with some friends (Jan. 11-16).

January

February

Jenny and Janet start February with a snowy hike in Yosemite. For Jenny's birthday, they rent an RV and head to Death Valley National Park with Martha (Feb. 15-18).

On Jenny's birthday, Jenny unwrapped a present that was ostensibly from her parents, to reveal an engagement ring. She proposed to Janet and Janet said yes!

Janet: "Jenny totally tricked me. Although I joked about her proposing on her birthday, I didn't expect her to actually do it. And, certainly not in a "gift" her parents "sent." I didn't even realize she was proposing until I saw her crying happy tears."

National Park #35

March

Mar. 6-11: Jenny and Janet visit Washington D.C. to attend a conference (SBM) and visit Andy and Kate.

Mar. 22-27: They head to Texas for Lauren and Travis' wedding and to visit friends and family.

Mar. 27-30: They visit Boston to celebrate Jenny's mom's birthday.

April

Janet celebrates her 31st birthday.

April is spent hiking and enjoying the little adventures of daily life.

April

May

National Parks #36-37

After getting an amazing deal from Southwest

(<$250 round trip, total, for both of them), Jenny and Janet head to Hawaii. They visit Maui (May 16-20), including the road to Hana and both sides of Haleakala N.P., the Big Island (May 20-23), including Volcanoes National Park, and, after missing a connection due to mechanical issues, Oahu for one night (May 23-24). They camp except on Oahu, where Southwest gives them a hotel.

May

National Park #38

June

Janet and Jenny hang out with Janet's family and Jenny meets Janet's grandmother. They visit the Merced County Fair.

They visit Boston June 15-20 and drive up to Acadia N.P. During the trip Jenny tries on wedding dresses.

They have their second annual family pool party June 29.

July

Jenny and Janet host family for the 4th of July and return to Athens for Ohio Brew Week for the second year in a row.

They also pick out their wedding venue:

The Union Hill Inn in Sonora, CA

July

August

Jenny and Janet go on a family cruise with the Del Reals to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallerta, Mexico.

August

September

With Southwest vouchers from their first trip to Hawaii, Janet and Jenny decided to take a long weekend trip to Maui.

They also enjoy getting back into the "school year" routine.

October

October

Oct. 4-7: Jenny and Janet return to Southwestern for Jenny's 10-year reunion.

Later in the month Jenny's mom and step-dad come to visit. Jenny leaves for a long time on a work trip, but makes it back in time for Halloween.

November

The month gets off to a slow start (lots of work hours logged) but adventure begins with a visit to the Fresno Zoo for Adelia's birthday, a quick trip to Atlanta for a conference. The month wraps up in Boston for thanksgiving where Jenny and Janet are trapped by an early winter storm! (Lots of food consumed and rooms escaped)

November

December

Jenny and Janet celebrate their 5th anniversary. They celebrate the season, take a family trip to New Orleans, and Janet spends Christmas working at the hospital

December

January

Jenny and Janet take their second international trip together to Sarah and Sann's wedding in Cambodia. They visit Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan as well.

January

Jenny and Janet visit Texas, where their Alma Mater, Southwestern University, awards Jenny their distinguished young alumna award. They also get to meet Amanda's new baby, Harper.

February

March

A global pandemic shuts down most of the world. Jenny and Janet are still hopeful that they will be able to have their wedding in person in June.

They spend a lot of time at home.

March

April

Janet celebrates her first pandemic birthday

April

May

As the pandemic wears on, Jenny and Janet officially cancel their wedding gathering and spend time together at home.

May

June

The month Jenny and Janet get married!

June

Wedding

As of July 1st 2020 that's:

1637 of knowing each other

104 months as friends

67 months together

17 months of engagement

4 days of marriage

38/63 NPS National Parks together

23 destinations with the Southwest companion pass

18 escape rooms together

17 weddings attended together

5 moves, 4 across country + 1 cross-state in the same time zone

Now