Our Story

March 6th, 2021 is when it all began. Emilee and I started talking online, which in a few weeks lead to our first date on March 18th in Marshfield, WI. From an outside perspective, a date at the Lumberyard Bar and Grill might seem unremarkable. But we both found it quite interesting, we had a curiosity about each other that kept the conversation flowing. When the date concluded, I asked Emilee if she would like to “go steady”. I thought the date had gone well so I was surprised when this question caught her off guard. I realized she wasn’t really prepared for my forward nature and certainty. A little unsure, Emilee responded with “Oh James, you are a great guy… but I like to be friends with someone for at least two years before I date them”. While this was confusing at the time, I was not deterred. We talked through things a bit more and I assured her that I was willing to wait. Achieving a resolution I boldly asked a question, “Well can I come back tomorrow as a friend?” and she agreed.

The next day I showed up with a bundle of bananas and lifted spirits. Emilee answered the door and welcomed me inside. She was doing laundry and … baking dirt. I chuckled to myself as I noticed the whole house smelled earthy. I wondered if we would have future days like this one. Over the next couple of weeks we spent our time creating some of our favorite moments together. Emilee and I sang to music while making dinners and shared movies from our childhood. We rearranged furniture in Emilee’s home, for a “better layout” and after laid in the backyard under the stars while it was raining. With all these experiances and more, we began developing a closeness.

Sometime later I was preparing for a backpacking trip with a friend. While gathering supplies and making plans at my apartment in Stevens Point, I got a call from Emilee. She stated she didn’t want to “do the two years of being just friends thing” anymore. I laughed and said, “well ok”. Needless to say, what was going to be two years dissolved in just two months. On May 12, 2021 Emilee and I officially began our relationship

An account by-James J. Jansen