Our Story
The Early Years
We met when we were eight years old in Sunday School. Travis is the quiet type, while Jessica is the complete opposite! Needless to say, we didn't talk to each other much when we were kids! When we were in middle school, we both had crushes on each other, but as middle school goes, that didn't work out. However, in our senior year of high school, we decided to go to prom together "as friends." This did not work out! A week before the prom, Travis and I went with our youth group to Astroworld in Houston. Our friends knew we liked each other, and after a day of endless teasing, Travis asked me out on a date! We've been together ever since!
The Years In-Between...
After our graduation in 2003, Travis went to Sam Houston State University to get his degree in Management Information Systems while Jessica stayed at home and went to College of the Mainland to get her basic courses out of the way. That Thanksgiving, Travis told Jessica that he and his family decided that he would return home because the curriculum wasn't quite was Travis was looking for. He started at College of the Mainland that spring and this was the only time for the next 5 years that he and Jessica would live in the same city.
In the fall of 2004, Jessica went to Sam Houston State University (she had always wanted to go there) to pursue a degree in History so she could be a high school teacher. After a year, thanks to a push from a former teacher, Jessica decided to change her major to Theatre Education, and after her first few classes, she knew that was exactly where she needed to be!
After another semester at College of the Mainland, Travis took a semester off to take the time to find another school to attend and work. Finally, he and his family found a technical school called MTI which offered a degree in Computer Systems Technology, which is exactly what Travis had been wanting to do. He quickly applied and started in a 17-month program. A couple of months after he graduated, he found out about a job opening through a friend at church at La Porte ISD for a computer technician. Travis applied and was accepted. He has been there for almost two years and has really enjoyed his time there.
In the late spring of 2008, Jessica was talking with her adviser about how long it would be until she could graduate. After she was told she had another two years, Jessica quickly looked for a loophole in the system, because she was anxious to graduate, get a job and get married! She found that if she changed her major to Theatre Design and Technology, she could graduate in a year, so she jumped at it. She has been very happy with her decision, and also found out that Sam Houston State is now offering an online Master's program to get a degree in Education as well as the certification to teach. Jessica has started this program and graduated August 8, 2009.
Over the last several years, Travis and Jessica have worked at their relationship with frequent visits, phone-calls, e-mails and texts. It's been hard, but it's been worth it! Jessica has now moved to League City and loves getting to see Travis every day.
The Proposal
During the weekend of Jessica's birthday in May of 2008, Travis suggested going to look at engagment rings. Jessica agreed without hesitation! Their first stop was Robbins Brothers, where Jessica happened to know the salesman, Dave. After looking at all of the rings, Dave suggested they take a look at loose diamonds and learn some basic facts with their diamond expert Vic. They were so glad they did! They were introduced to a special-cut diamond that is exclusive to Robbins Brothers and while Jessica wanted it, it was expensive and she didn't want to make Travis feel obligated. Vic excused himself to give us a moment to discuss the diamonds, and Travis told Jessica he wanted to get the special diamond for her ring. She was very excited! After they made the purchase arrangements, Jessica selected two settings: one solitare and one bridal set. She told Travis to come back one day and pick one, because she wanted to have a surprise.
By July, Jessica was more than ready to have Travis propose, so she had already convinced her 2 year old nephew, Ethan, say "propose already" everytime he saw Travis. Ethan was committed, and on July 3rd, he told Travis to "propose tomorrow."
The next day, the couple went to Kemah Boardwalk with Jessica's mom, brother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew for dinner and fireworks. During the fireworks, Ethan started calling out for her so she went to watch fireworks with him. Her sister walked away for a moment and when she returned, Jessica handed Ethan back and went to stand next to Travis, but when she turned around, he was on his knee! She was so ecstatic and happy the only words she could seem to muster were "SHUT UP!" It felt like a dream and she couldn't believe it was finally happening.
The Wedding & Life Afterward
We had a wonderful wedding on December 12, 2009. We were married at First Baptist Church of Texas City and had the reception at The Hilton Island Resort in Galveston. Dennis Johns officiated and tons of our family and friends came to celebrate with us.
We honeymooned at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL and it was wonderful. We had a great hotel, loved the food and enjoyed the rides and attractions.
We are currently living in League City and are enjoying putting our home together and living the newlywed life. Travis is working at Dickinson ISD as the Audio/Visual Specialist and Jessica was just offered a job teaching theatre at Texas City ISD.
