Joe and Jacqueline met in a somewhat unconventional way in September 2021. The pandemic had just begun to loosen its grip on people’s lives, but the dating scene was still largely app-based, as the lockdown had not fully lifted. Both Joe and Jacqueline were looking for their special someone during this period, but felt discouraged after meeting with little success. Just when it seemed like it was a hopeless endeavor, the two found each other on Coffee Meets Bagel. Despite never having had a message on Coffee Meets Bagel, Joe was surprised to find that Jacqueline had seen that he was a fellow Cathedral Catholic alumnus and reached out. 

Joe didn’t expect much from this initial message, as he had just been about to delete the app after a string of bad dates, but soon a few brief messages turned into two weeks of chatting before the two had their first date on September 17, 2021, at Coffee Bean. The two quickly learned that they had a lot in common and chatted for hours over iced coffees. They bonded over shared experiences in high school and reminisced about their old teachers, musing about how often they must have passed by each other without ever knowing it.

The two agreed to meet up again shortly after a brief trip that Jacqueline had planned. Over a couple more dates, Joe and Jacqueline soon learned they shared a love for escape rooms and horror movies, among other niche interests. After a narrow escape at the local Red Door Escape Room and a nice dinner, Jacqueline drove Joe back to his car, where the two shared their first kiss. 

Soon after the two found themselves inseparable, sharing many adventures, including Heavy Metal concerts, Pirate and Viking festivals, puzzles, speakeasies, meaderies, karaoke, mini golf, road trips, and countless other experiences over the past four years.

At one point, Jacqueline mentioned to Joe in passing how cool a scavenger hunt proposal would be. And on March 30, 2025, she found that she had gotten exactly that when, upon waking up that day, she was greeted by their mutual friends, Daniel and Joanne, who accompanied her on a quest to save Joe from a vengeful pirate captain. After finding Joe shackled to a treasure chest and freeing him, she was rewarded with the greatest treasure of all, the offer of spending a life together. Jacqueline had never felt happier.

Joe and Jacqueline had truly found their soulmates in one another. The two have always felt they can truly be themselves around each other, whether that means acting silly, going on crazy adventures at the drop of a hat, or even just quietly confiding in each other when one of them has a bad day.

Over the past four years, Joe and Jacqueline have created their own memories at the Zoo and Safari Park. The Zoo holds a special place for both of them as being the first date where they held hands and became an official couple. Now every trip to the Zoo and Safari Park is a reminder of how they share new laughs, pains, and joys with each other. The sights of the animals and the beauty of God’s creations serve as an ever-present reminder of their everlasting love for each other.