It all started in 2015.
SJ was living in Dallas and had made many close friends in the volleyball community. When her co-ed team was looking for one more player for the season, a teammate mentioned his friend Garrett had just moved back from California and that he was kinda good at volleyball. Over the next few months, their teamwork on the court led to a friendship, a crush, and eventually a first date.
Garrett’s Version of the Story
Our relationship started as teammates on the volleyball court - but we grew closer as we played more together and spent many fun nights out with our mutual friends. I’ve always said that the best thing about being a mens volleyball player is womens volleyball… and this fact proved true in one fateful match in particular: after SJ won a spectacular point my instinct kicked in and I, as I’ve done to male teammates many times before, gave SJ a congratulatory spank - queue fireworks.
Fast forward a year or so in our relationship and we are playing a late-night game at Dallas’ premier beach volleyball bar. By this point my competitive days are long behind me, so going into a tough tiebreaker game I turn to SJ and ask “OK do you want to win? Or do you want to have fun?” She snapped her head towards me and with eyes that burned a hole straight into my heart she fired back, “Winning IS fun.” That’s the moment I knew she had to be my wife.
SJ’s version of the story
When Garrett showed up for our first league game, I knew he was a game-changer. That is, with him on our team we were definitely going to take gold this season! It didn’t take long to see him as more than my volleyball teammate though. Was it because he was tall, athletic, and so dang cute? Well, yeah. But what I really loved was his good-naturedness. His ambition. His adventurous spirit. And, boy, could he make me laugh. I remember telling my mom about Garrett over Christmas break – that he’s someone I want in my life forever, even if that’s only as friends.
As Spring rolled around, I took a family vacation which allowed me to reflect on the important things in my life, like Garrett and our friendship. Serendipitously upon my return, Garrett asked me over to play Mario Party. And then on a first date. And then, in a blink of an eye, to be his wife. As our relationship has grown over the years I’ve had no doubt that he is my person. My game-changer.
Some of our favorite moments
Garrett pops the question on our Christmas road trip to Dallas!
We bought a house!
Hiking in Hawaii
Garrett's first trip to New Orleans
Rocky Horror Picture Shows
Surviving the heat at Spikefest
Halloween costumes
Tournament after parties
Using May 4th as an excuse to dress up
Laughs at The Pocket Sandwich Theatre
Heading home for the holidays
SJ's onsie-roller-skating golden birthday
Long travel days
And also lots of silliness
Our first camping trip
Dallas brunching
SJ's first trip to LA
Winning a ridiculous cruise volleyball tournament
Celebrating love in Palm Springs
Exploring Germany
Foreigner for Garrett's birthday
Learning how to forge
Scarborough Fairs