- How did we meet? -

  

"What therefore God has joined together, let no Man separate." - Mark 10:9

"How did you guys meet?"

     This is a question that is frequently asked by all of our Family, Friends, and our Navy Family. Especially after they learn that I am California born and raised when Jordan is from Pennsylvania. People assume once they here we are married that I am his little Mrs. that follows him from state to state. Truth is, my Sailor did everything possible to come to my state and follow me! This story never gets old to tell. It’s a story of two strangers from opposite sides of the country, who found each other through the amazing ways and blessing of the Lord.

Our Story

     Between the ages of 17 and 20, I worked at a Super Target. I worked with a guy named, Chas Barstow. He was a cart attendant and I was a Sales Floor Representative, so we never really interacted. We never even spoke to each other, just passed one another in the employee lunch room. It wasn’t until we ran into each other out side of work that I finally learned his name. After months of working together we were properly introduced and became instant friends! He was funny, adventurous, loud and obnoxious at times but, he had a big heart. Chas became like a brother to me, we started to hang out almost on a daily bases. We even did a weekend trip to Disneyland together. This friendship was soon to end after only 3 ½ months. In March 2009, Chas left to Boot Camp for the United States Navy. I was crushed. But, after one month of him being gone, I received a Goosebumps postcard in the mail. I remember he briefly mentioned a guy named, Jordan Serulneck, who was “6’4 and runs like a Gazelle” and his bunk mate. Apparently, Chas and Jordan became really good friends. CLOSE friends. After Boot Camp they remained roommates and classmates. For the next several months Chas and I continued to stay in contact through ground mail and phone calls. One day Jordan asked Chas for the phone number of a “good Cali girl” because he was determined to be stationed in California some day. So, Chas gave him mine…. Without my permission, of course. Ugh, boys!

     I remember the first interaction between Jordan and I like yesterday. I was making chicken taco's for dinner when I received a text message from a unknown number that read "Hi, is Jecsika there?” I was a little weirded out by the spelling of my name…so I decided to google the phone number. It was traced back to being a Pennsylvania number. Since not knowing ANYONE in PA I decided to ignore it. But, the text messages kept pouring in, even though I was not responding to any of them. Finally, I responded with "You must have the wrong number" and Jordan replied with, "I sure hope not! Barstow (Chas) said this was the phone number of a very beautiful girl". I was instantly pissed.... How could Chas just hand out my number?! I continued to ignore the massive amount of text messages from Jordan. He began to get a little creepy by having a conversation with himself through texting me and asking for pictures. Then, he called! I didn't answer. But, of course he left a voice mail.... I was so freaked out it probably took me an hour to work up the nerve to listen to that voice mail. But I am sure glad I did! At that time I had a roommate so I put my phone on speaker so she could hear the voice mail too. Jordan left the most awkward but hilarious voice mail I have ever heard, I honestly wish I could have saved it forever. He started with "Hey baby" and a lot of "I love you" in the middle and then ended it declaring he was my "husband". He seemed to be so sure of himself - that we were automatically a couple and spoke as if we knew each other for years. My roommate was left creeped out and I was laughing hysterically. It definitely was my sense of humor! So, I called him back immediately.

     We corresponded back and forth for months and began to really get to know each other. I can definitely say that after the first week, I honestly did love him. I loved his morals and what he wants in a Woman. I loved his Faith in God. I loved his personality and humor. I loved that he was a big dreamer and has huge expectations for his life. I loved the way he made me feel and how comfortable we were with each other. And of course, I thought he was completely gorgeous! He promised me that he would somehow be stationed in California. I knew that was not likely since they don't just pick where they want to go. Soon we began to lose touch. I got a new office job and he finished Boot Camp and started school. Then months later on my 21st Birthday, Jordan chimed in with another "Hi, is Jecsika there?" text message. My heart melted! He informed me that in 6 months he would be stationed in San Diego California, 1.5hrs away from where I was living! Things became dramatically serious between us leading up to his arrival. I started to talk openly about him to my family and friends and let them know that I plan on making him my FIRST EVER boyfriend.

     During the month of September Jordan made the road trip from Virginia to California. On the 23rd he pulled into the apartment complex I was living in...and we finally had our face to face meeting. I remember he was more nervous then I was! I felt like I had known him my whole life. We instantly fell in love and began a mini "long distance" relationship. We would spend every weekend together for the next 10 months until I finally spread my wings and left my home town of Orange County to move to San Diego, to live with Jordan. The first two months were very hard; we went from seeing each other 2-3 days a week to EVERY day together. It was the biggest adjustment and learning process I have ever been through. But, we got through it and after three months of living together we eloped and got married on October 28th, 2011.

     So, because of one 3 month long friendship and a guy who had no problem giving my number away, I gained a loving Husband. There is no way Jordan and I ever would have met if it wasn't for God. We thank him DAILY for bringing us together. We pray that we stay strong and grow old together in his Holy name.