Our Story

Amber and Jen met on Hinge in November 2022, just a few months after Jen moved to Kentucky. At the time, they were both working at the University of Kentucky. Amber was a women’s basketball coach at her alma mater, and Jen had just been hired as a professor. (But neither of them knew that until their first date.)

Jen first came across Amber’s profile while she was in LA for a conference, and she was pleasantly surprised to find that Amber was back in Lexington instead of LA!

“I saw her profile and immediately decided I needed to give her my one free rose on Hinge. I was worried she would overlook me as just another white girl in Lexington!” Jen remembers.

Amber matched with her later that night, and the two began a simple, lighthearted conversation. Both were traveling again over Thanksgiving break and didn’t put too much into the conversation. They checked in, laughed a little, and finally Jen asked if Amber wanted to meet up after the break.

The First Date That Changed Everything

Their first date was on November 30th at Drake’s in Lexington. They spent the entire evening completely lost in each other’s eyes, talking about everything from babies to basketball, concerts to college, pickleball to painting, and everything in between.

“The conversation was so good that I canceled my recruiting calls mid-date so we could keep spending time together,” Amber admits.

At one point, the conversation paused as they stared into each other’s eyes. Amber asked Jen what she was thinking about, and she replied, “This song,” the one playing in the background.

The song? “I Like You” by Post Malone and Doja Cat. As Amber put it:

“We liked each other real bad.”

Falling Hard (And Fast!)

Their second date was straight out of a Hallmark Christmas rom-com, thoughtfully curated and planned by Amber after listening to Jen talk about some of her favorite things (sushi and painting).

Jen, accustomed to taking the lead, almost didn’t let Amber pick her up for the date.

“But I decided to let myself be taken care of. I remember stealing quick glances at her in the car and thinking, oh no! I’m falling for her!!”

They spent the first bit of their relationship laughing, learning each other, and falling deeply in love. There were long phone calls, playground visits, early-morning workouts, and lots of delicious food.

“I knew pretty early on that Jen was the one,” Amber shares. “I knew I had never felt like this before, and I wanted to feel like this forever.”

Amber introduced a very shy Jen to dancing randomly in public, and Jen introduced Amber, a meticulous planner, to “trust the universe” days full of adventure and spontaneity. Since the beginning, they have always taken each other out of their comfort zones in the best way possible.

Too Much Fun?! Never!

Six months in, a trip to Cancún for a friend’s wedding became a turning point. Amber had accepted a coaching job at Indiana University, and the possibility of long distance weighed heavily on Jen.

Somewhere between the laughter, adventure, and nonstop giggling, Jen found her answer. This relationship was worth choosing.

In fact, they were giggling so hard in the Delta lounge at the airport that a man sitting nearby remarked, “You girls are having too much fun!”

Jen’s response?

“He wasn’t wrong. We stay having too much fun!”

That spirit has carried them through countless adventures and trips around the world: South Carolina, Italy, Mexico, Florida, Colorado, DC—and even a trip to Paris for the Olympics!

They’ve spent the last four years carefully curating a life of love and laughter. They learned pickleball, took dance lessons, tried new restaurants, visited their favorite wine bars and coffee shops, dreamed up new businesses, hosted events and gatherings at the house, and have always remained each other’s #1 fan through it all.

Love Is in the Little Things

Ask Amber what she loves most about Jen, and the answer isn’t about big romantic gestures.

“What I love most about Jen is the way she shows up for the people she loves.”

She remembers Jen showing up at halftime to one of her games at Rupp Arena when they first started dating: “She woke Mattie up from her nap early just to make it at halftime. Looking up from the bench and seeing Jen there meant everything.”

Jen is equally admiring of Amber.

“She is always herself and is never scared to take up space. Her work ethic is unmatched, and her energy is contagious. If you’ve ever seen her on the court or out on the dance floor, you know exactly what I mean!”

Both speak with enormous affection about watching each other grow into motherhood and building a family together.

They’ll also be the first to tell you that blending a family and building a life aren’t easy. It takes work: communication, intentionality, curiosity, and a willingness to continue growing, especially when it’s hard.

But that’s the beautiful thing about their relationship. They aren’t simply in love with each other. They keep choosing one another. Over and over again.

Two Proposals Are Better Than One! 💍

In June 2024, Amber planned a romantic proposal on the beach in Positano, Italy, along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

There was a photographer, a beautiful setting, and a carefully orchestrated plan.

There was just one complication: Jen’s famously relaxed approach to punctuality.

Amber, ever the planner, resorted to telling a little white lie about the restaurant charging them if they arrived late. Jen said she had never felt more seen!

The proposal was especially meaningful for Jen because the Amalfi Coast was special to her mother, who passed away in 2013. Having her cousin Madalyn and their daughter Mattie there made the moment even more special.

Of course, Jen wasn’t about to let Amber have all the fun. “She does such a good job taking care of everyone else. She deserved a proposal of her own!”

A few days after returning home, Jen coordinated with her cousin and one of Amber’s best friends to surprise Amber with a proposal of her own in Lexington.

“I was completely shocked and emotional,” Amber recalls.

“I’ll never forget the look in her eyes when I got down on one knee and she told me yes.”

Two proposals. Two very enthusiastic yesses.

After the proposals, the two got secretly married at the courthouse in downtown Lexington in preparation for their growing family. Jen’s mother had passed away on June 11th, so they decided to get married on June 11th, at 11am, 11 years after her mother’s passing.

And Now, Cancún! ❤️

Technically, their wedding celebration in Mexico will be their third wedding anniversary—and coincidentally, three is Jen’s mom’s favorite number.

They’ve already built a home, a family, and a life filled with laughter and love. Now they’re bringing their favorite people together in Cancún to celebrate something even more meaningful than a wedding: the life they’ve created.

As Jen puts it:

“The best part isn’t the wedding; it’s the life we’re celebrating.”

And Amber?

“I can’t wait to see Jen walk down the aisle, to stand face-to-face with her, and to celebrate with our family and friends—with our kids there, too.”