Every great couple has a story about how they met. Some start with “one day in college.” Others start with “one night at a bar.”
But John and Jessi Kelly’s story starts just a little differently – “One day, in first grade…”
All the way back to Elementary School…
Well, at least according to Jessi. John *claims* to have no memory of these stories. So, as Jessi says,
“John and I never agree on memories, just know – mine is always right!”
Jessi reveals the first time she and John met, along with the first time they got in trouble together.
“We met in 1st grade. In fact, I remember both of us getting in trouble in first grade for switching seats when our substitute teacher turned her back. This resulted in us not being given a lemon drop (we were learning about taste buds).”
Trouble seemed to follow the two right on into second grade.
“I also remember in 2nd grade complaining to my teacher that John was always pulling my pigtails. She was the first person to introduce me to the term ‘flirting.’”
The stakes were raised in fifth grade…
By fifth grade, switching seats and hair pulling were child’s play compared to the most common form of communication: passing of notes.
“In 5th grade, I received a folded up paper that said ‘Do you like __John or ____Jamie? Check one.’”
Although Jessi doesn’t remember exactly if she replied to that particular note, she does remember that she was *not* interested in Jamie. (If you’re reading this… sorry, Jamie) Jessi also recalls holding hands with John by the campfire at their Beaver Creek sleepover field trip. Scandalous, right?
It became “official” in Middle School…
Fast forward a couple of years into their seventh and eighth grade yearsl when John and Jessi became an “official” couple. For a little while, at least…
“I do remember him riding his bike from his house in the country to town to see me once. He lived 11 miles out. I also remember that he would call me long distance (yes, 11 miles was a long-distance phone call at the time) and his parents made him pay the bill. He actually had a job where he earned enough money to pay that bill!
By the way, Jessi never volunteered to call him because, y’now – it was long-distance.
The “official, official” start in High School…
Believe it or not, John and Jessi were not a couple during their freshman and sophomore years of high school. During their junior year, Jessi went to homecoming with a kid from a different school… and it was nothing short of a disaster. On a night that was supposed to be full of fond memories, it ended on a sour note as her date barely spoke to her all evening.
A week after that horrendous homecoming, John and Jessi decided to, once again, give it a go. They went to see a movie (DECEIVED with Goldie Hawn) and the rest, as they say, is history!
22 years married, two amazing kids, and one crazy adventure in greenhouse ownership later, the relationship is still going strong. Who knows what the next chapter will bring. But we’re sure it will be one incredible story.
However, Jessi will probably be the only one who will remember it.
_________________________________________________________________________
If you want to hear more about how the Kellys became the Kellys or to learn more about what is happening at our Emerald City, please sign up to join our newsletter.
