A Love Story in Bloom

It’s time to let you all in on a little secret—how Jesse and I met and how we unknowingly cultivated the dream that would become Anderbery Acres.

Spring 2021: The Beginning

Jesse and I as Borat & Pam Anderson at the 2021 Beer Olympics in Enterprise, Alabama.

It’s fitting that our story started in the spring—a season of new beginnings. Believe it or not, Jesse and I met on Tinder (yes, really!). I had just joined when I stumbled across this kooky, craft-beer-loving, rock ‘n’ roll-listening, mullet-sporting flight school student. Having grown up near an army base, I’d always heard the same warning—“stay away from the fly boys.” But if you know me, you know I’ve never been one for playing it safe. So, in a move that went against all traditional dating norms, I messaged first: “You look fun.” Jesse’s reply? “You look hot. Wanna get a beer?”

The very next day, we met up at a local spot called The Craft in Enterprise, Alabama, and ended the night at Mellow Mushroom, where I worked as a bartender and server. From that moment on, we were inseparable. I fit right in with his riot of a crew of flight school friends. Our weekends were spent at the closest beach—Panama City Beach, Florida—cruising around in Jesse’s nostalgic ‘80s Dodge Grand Ram van, hosting legendary events like Beer Olympics (which, let me tell you, was taken very seriously). Jesse and I chose Team Kazakhstan because I had just introduced him to one of my favorite comedies Borat. He dressed as Borat, I went as my favorite individual in Hollywood, Pamela Anderson, and—naturally—we won both the costume contest and the runner up in the beer pong championship. A couple of months in, we even got matching wildcard tattoos. We were the pair no one saw coming, not even me.

Growing More Than Love

Liam at 3 years old, super proud of his cucumber plant he and Jesse planted.

At the time, I had a three-year-old son, Liam. Telling someone you just met that you’re a mom can be nerve-wracking, but Jesse didn’t even blink. He simply said, “Cool, I’ve always wanted to be a dad.” That moment changed everything. Jesse met Liam and instantly bonded with him—teaching him things I had never even thought to, like planting and keeping things alive. At the time, I had only ever owned a few succulents, but Jesse saw an opportunity. That Mother’s Day, instead of flowers, he gifted me seeds—sunflowers, cucumbers, and squash. He told me, “I thought about it, and I’d rather grow for you more than anything else.”

So, that day, Jesse, Liam, and I planted our first seeds together in the tiny backyard of my townhouse. We nurtured them all season long. The landscapers eventually mowed down the sunflowers (RIP), but something had taken root that day—something much bigger than a garden.

June 13th, 2021, my world shattered. I lost Liam’s father—my best friend—in the most tragic way imaginable. The grief was overwhelming, and in those darkest days, Jesse became my rock. He was the shoulder I cried on every single day, the open ear that listened without hesitation. He had no obligation to carry that weight with me, yet he did—without question, without running, without fear. I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t met Jesse when I did. Most men would have walked away from the chaos, but Jesse stayed, proving in every moment that love isn’t just about the easy days—it’s about showing up for the hard ones, too.

The Proposal

Fast forward to 2022—Jesse’s flight school graduation was approaching, which left me in limbo about our future, knowing he would soon be traveling back home to Central Nebraska. The uncertainty weighed on me, but as always, Jesse had a way of making things feel right. To celebrate, Jesse, Liam, and I, along with our dear friends Steph and Tom, took a trip to Apalachicola, Florida. Instead of heading to the typical crowded Florida hotspots, Jesse—true to form—chose a quiet, charming coastal town with no high-rise hotels, just history, oysters, and small-town magic.

On March 13th, 2022, during a picnic by Apalachicola Bay, Jesse got down on one knee and, in the most Jesse way possible, casually said, “Wanna get married or something?” It was the easiest yes of my life. He wasn’t just asking me—he was asking Liam, too. In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that I had found my person. Despite our different backgrounds and the unknowns that lay ahead, one thing was clear: I wanted to grow with this man for the rest of my life.

And grow we did.

The Wedding

One year after Jesse’s proposal, we made it official in the most us way possible. On March 18th, 2023, we eloped in Bocas del Toro, Panama—where my roots run deep. With Jesse’s flight school buddies and my absolute best friends by our side, we had the most unplanned, natural, and breathtaking beach ceremony. No elaborate plans, no stress—just the ocean, the people we loved most, and the start of our forever. It was exactly what I had always dreamed of in a wedding.

After the ceremony, we spent another week exploring my homeland—immersing ourselves in jungle adventures, camping in a treehouse, bird watching, and experiencing the beauty and luxuries that Panama had to offer. It was the perfect way to begin our next chapter together. Read more about our honeymoon adventures here.

Planting the Seeds of a New Dream

To make things even more interesting, the first thing we grew was Jesse’s literal twin—our son Jamey—who was born shortly after our move back to Jesse's home state of Nebraska. We kept the entire pregnancy under wraps, never posting once on social media, so it was a shock to everyone—even some family members. I was completely immersed in becoming a mother to two, barely thinking about what it was I wanted to do for myself.

I’ll never forget a conversation with my mother-in-law when she asked, "So what’s next?" I replied, "What do you mean? I love being a mother—that’s all I can see myself doing." She smiled and said, "Well of course, but you’ll find something you love to do." That thought never left me.

I had worked as a professional makeup artist for years, but here’s a secret—I never truly loved it. It was just something I was good at. So when I mentioned to Jesse, "I guess I could learn how to do hair?" he asked me if that was really what I wanted. "We have twenty-something acres," he said. "I’m sure you can find something you’re passionate about here." A lightbulb instantly went off.

Growing had brought us together—so why not grow something? We bought one of those basic zinnia bulk seed packs from the local tractor supply store. Back in Enterprise, it had mostly been Jesse growing while I tried to learn. But this time, I took the lead. I threw those seeds in the ground and was instantly amazed at the results. Though it was too late to plant much else, I became completely immersed in learning.

One simple Google search—"how to grow the best zinnias"—led me to Floret’s website. I know, I know—so many of us fell in love with the idea of flower farming thanks to Floret. For me, it was after watching their HBO series Growing Floret. I binged the entire thing in one day and became completely obsessed. Jamey and I would do tummy time with Erin Benzakein’s voice in the background, telling her story of how she built one of the most well-known flower farms in the world. My curiosity quickly turned into a goal.

And just like that, the dream of Anderbery Acres started to bloom.

Jesse and I started this journey together, unknowingly planting the seeds for something bigger than either of us imagined. What began as a love for growing turned into a passion, a business, and a way of life. Through every season—both in farming and in love—he’s been my partner, my rock, and my biggest supporter. And as we continue to build Anderbery Acres, I hope our story inspires you to nurture your own dreams, take chances, and grow something beautiful—wherever you are.