Love in the BOI: Jessica and Brent

Describe How You Two Originally Met.

We originally knew each other from high school, but He needed help finding pants for a dinner party in college, and I spent nearly an hour showing him around the store and helping him find a pair, all the while chatting and falling pretty hard. He spent the next month trying to track my number down, and finally sent his mom in for it, called me two days later, and we talked almost every night from then on. That was 17 years ago and so much has happened since.

Describe Your First Date and/or First Memories Together.

Haha I went with him to a company Christmas party for his moms business and met his. Whole. Family! Thank goodness we were smitten and I really got along with everyone, we ended up at a friends house after dinner, and then a movie, and then talking until the wee morning hours, we didn’t want that first date to end.

Why do you love living in Boise? Describe some of your favorite things to do in Boise and/or Idaho together.

We moved here while still dating, back in 2006, he had several job offers right out of college but we both decided Boise seemed like the best fit for our future together, so we made the leap and moved in together the summer after graduation. We were engaged 5 months later, married in March and bought our first home in Boise. We loved camping and hiking, we still do, but back then we could load up and get out of town anytime we wanted to, the mountains were our favorite place to be. Now with 3 kids our trips look a little different, but we still try to get out with them as often as possible, and we’ve introduced them to many of our old favorite camping spots, it’s fun to show the girls pictures of us camping there as newlyweds or with our first pup, and they look for the similarities of those spots to now.

What advice do you have for those searching for love?

Have fun, take trips, and adventure together. I tell everyone I know who gets married to go on a few trips together before you get married, if you can still love each other while getting lost or reading a map or parking a camper or trailer, then your golden

Thank you Jessica & Brent for sharing your #LoveInTheBOI story! Give them a follow at @jnorrisr @bnorris82

Love in the BOI: Victoria & Terrence

Describe How You Two Originally Met.

Terrence and I never thought we'd meet our future partner through a dating app. Yet, that's how it started. I was about to delete the app, tired of the mindless scrolling I did when I was tired or bored when I came across his profile on a Friday evening. There was something...different about this one. Immediately I set my phone down and did something I hadn't done in a long time, prayed. If it wasn't a match I was going to go through with deleting the app. If it was a match then I prayed for him to be my future husband, that it would be the next step of my journey to love. I picked my phone up, swiped right, and wouldn't you know...it was a match. Terrence and I met on an app where the female has to initiate the conversation. I had no clue what to say so I started with something sincere. 'I hope you had a great Friday and that you have an awesome weekend' or something like that. Terrence responded right away and by that Monday, March 16th, we were on our first date. That day Terrence asked for my number whereas every other guy I met through the app kept the conversation but never 'made a move' and didn't bother to talk outside of the app.

Describe Your First Date and/or First Memories Together

In Terrence's words, our first date was unconventional and amazing. March 16th was the day Boise started closing. We had made plans to meet at one place but had to change them due to restrictions being set in place due to COVID-19. Even with everything starting to become clear to us and more uncertain of what the future looked like with this virus we kept the date. At the restaurant we were able to talk so freely and comfortably that the waitress was almost 'unwelcome' because her visits to the table interrupted our conversation. At this point I don't think either of us knew this would be our first and last public outing together for quite awhile. We were eventually kicked out so the place could close early for the pandemic. Even though we had to exit the building we both didn't want the night to end. We spent the next few hours getting to know each other and our 6 o'clock date lasted until close to 10. Warranting, of course, a second date. Time went on and so did COVID AND our relationship. On November 1, 2020 Terrence got down on one knee and proposed right outside the restaurant we first met at, in front of the Boise sign!

Why do you love living in Boise? Describe some of your favorite things to do in Boise and/or Idaho together

Terrence and I both grew up in Boise. I found myself leaving for a few years but coming back because I truly call Idaho my Idahome. Throughout quarantine Terrence and I were able to get to know each other on a deeper level because we couldn't do the 'normal' dates. Dinners and movies went out the window and were replaced by late night drives. We found ourselves driving the back roads, exploring Lucky Peak on our paddleboards, and romping around the many foothills Boise has to offer. We truly love it here! The sun is bright and the snow is beautiful. We have a great combination of city and rural life. The mountains are inviting and the people are fun! I truly don't see us leaving anytime soon.

What advice do you have for those searching for love?

Our advice would be to recognize your past relationships and more so notice what you were missing in them. Our pasts, despite having many ups and downs, led us into being the people we are today. Let go of judgment and really get to know people instead of following dating 'norms'. Ask questions! Even though they may be uncomfortable talk about the big topics in life-the deal breakers. This will help you in being up front, avoiding hurt later, and finding your ideal partner sooner. That's what we did. Our first date Terrence and I talked about the three things you're NOT supposed to bring up on the first date: exes, politics, and religion. On our second date we had questions for each other in relation to our futures: kids, career, goals. Don't put on a front and let things happen. Find peace in yourself and maybe even try a dating app or two. Put effort into your profile and who knows...you might find your honey too.

Thanks so much for sharing your #LoveIntheBOI story!

Give Victoria and Terrance a follow at @vplaster @tport21!