Our story began in 2013 at Millsaps College, where we were brought together by college athletics - Blakeli playing softball and JT playing baseball. What started as a college friendship quietly grew into something lasting, even though it would take ten years to fully bloom. For a decade, we stayed friends, cheering each other on through life’s seasons, careers, and changes.

In the summer of 2023, everything shifted. JT was in Baton Rouge recruiting baseball players for Holmes Community College and asked Blakeli on a date to Casa Maria’s Mexican Restaurant. Over tacos, margaritas, and hours of conversation, it became clear that this wasn’t just a catch-up - it was the beginning of something special.

Soon after, we began dating and took on a year of long distance: JT coaching baseball in Goodman, Mississippi with his dog Charlie, and Blakeli living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her dog Lucy. Miles apart but fully committed, we made it work with weekend visits, phone calls, and lots of love.

After a year, we knew we wanted to be together in the same city. JT moved to Baton Rouge, and about a year later, on October 3, 2025, we got engaged. Now, with Lucy and Charlie by our sides, we can’t wait to continue this next chapter together and see where our story goes next. 💕🐾