We Got Married!
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Our Story
Never say never. That's an age-old statement and for those who know John and James, it's pretty ironic. First off, you may know James as Jim, or, in very rare cases Jimmy, and John has always been John, but sometimes JA or just J. So it gets very confusing when family and friends get together. Of course, there's a story behind every moniker that we'll gladly relay at any time. So, how did this all happen? How did the world turn upside down?
In March of 2022, two lives intersected in Palm Springs, California, and the world let out an incredulous gasp.
The year prior, James had gone through one of the worst times of his life. The
loss of his mother, followed by
surviving a shooting
in the paradise of Cancun had driven him to the lowest depths imaginable. COVID was still raging and he retreated from his job and got through the holidays with the help of great friends and countless sessions of therapy.
The following year, with life still in turmoil, and after having a private celebration of life for his mom's birthday with his brother, James returned to Palm Springs
to regroup. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Texas, John was headed to spring break after another crazy year of teaching high school. After a year of remote classes due to COVID and the school finally back to in person learning, his first plan was to head to one of his favorite destinations: Puerto Vallarta. Upon hearing this, John's best friend
Jimmy James
told him, in no uncertain terms:
"This is your last chance, do not go to Mexico! Go to Palm Springs."
So, heeding Jimmy's advice, John booked a trip to the California desert.
Unlike back in the day, when the only way to meet someone was to go to a bar, the new world of dating apps is unavoidable. In his hotel room, on March 6, 2022, before he headed for lunch, James saw a profile.
"Texas," he thought, right before he hit send on his like. "I love Texans, and he's short, I love pockets and he's visiting. That means he won't be around all the time."
To James' surprise, a response came back and they started a conversation. Having dealt with the apps for years, James sent his phone number to see if John wanted to continue the conversation off the internet, and besides, he was getting hungry and he needed to go to lunch.
Since John had already eaten, the two of them agreed to meet for a drink at one of the bars on Arenas Rd. The bar James had chosen was crowded, so they walked down the street to another, which was so loud the music spilled out onto the sidewalk. There was no way they could carry on a conversation there, so the two headed across the street where they could talk in a civilized environment.
"You're friends with THE Jimmy James?" James asked incredulously upon learning that Jimmy James had suggested John go to Palm Springs. "My mom adored him, she would watch him whenever he was on television!"
While James went to the bar to get John a drink -- Tito's and soda (no lime) -- John snapped a picture and texted it to Jimmy James, writing: "That's my date." When James returned with the drink, they continued to talk. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and included James' famous phrase:
"Oh, I don't date."
"Ah," thought John, "Oh well, I'll just enjoy the moment."
Before either knew, the afternoon turned into evening, and evening turned into dinner. All James could ponder was that the entire day had been a jigsaw.
"I don't know what to do about this," he stated, tapping his mouth with his index finger, as they walked back from dinner. "This is a puzzle."
The next day, James sent John a text to say that he had gotten home in record time. (Anything less than two hours to Los Angeles was record time.) The text - in fact, multiple ones a day - continued with James giving John advice on where to go in the desert, and marveling at how much Uber had increased its prices to get around town.
Then, James offhandedly stated that he should have just stayed the week since, at the time, he could've worked from anywhere. When he said he could be John's Uber driver, the Texan Teacher asked if he would stay with him.
"Ah, that was the idea," James straightforwardly replied.
And, so, with a chocolate flourless cake in the car --
"Wait, you're baking him a cake?" his friend asked incredulously. "Oh boy, this is going to be interesting."
"What? It's just a cake. He doesn't eat gluten."
Without a second thought, James returned to Palm Springs for a most unexpected week. When it was time to bring John to the airport for his return to San Antonio, the two made plans to possibly see each other the following month, over Easter.
And so, "the one who doesn't date," and the teacher didn't miss a month of spending time together. Four weeks being the longest stretch of time between visits. In November, after leaving his job at NBC, he asked John. "What do you think if I move to Texas?"
The irony of the situation was not lost on James. He was telling everyone that he'd never move to Texas. And when someone asked if he would get married, he said "never," one more time. It's now been two years of the most amazing and unexpected adventures. This union is only the beginning.
If anything comes from our story it is this: always believe in the power of fate. Don't be afraid to take the road ahead, even if you're unsure of where it will lead you. And, always acknowledge what brought you to this point in your life. Finally, above all--Never say Never.
The first night back in Palm Springs - March 2022
John's trip to California in April 2022
Registry
At this stage in our lives, we have everything we need, so there's no official wedding registry. However, if you'd like, you can contribute to our Honeymoon Fund. Our love of Paris is one of the many things that connects us and it's where our delayed trip will take us this June. We are staying at
the same hotel that James took his mom, so it's a full - circle moment. Our flights are booked, as well as a side trip to Brussels and a weekend stay in the French Alps in Annecy.
#LimonTella
