How We Met
Don't know. Probably Instagram. Friends of friends. Jessie helped Mike with a music video art project in the Summer of 2019 (watch it here). Mike went to a Halloween party later that year hosted at Jessie's apartment when she lived with Laynee in Tower Grove East. What we do know is that we started learning more about each other personally in the late Summer of 2021, discovering a level of commonality that blossomed into a meaningful and loving relationship very quickly.
The Engagement
The couple is honoring Jessie's late great grandmother Wilma Jean by using her engagement ring in their matrimony. In January 2024, Mike and Jessie traveled to New Orleans for a vacation celebrating the new year. Mike slyly booked a gondola ride around Big Lake in City Park as merely something to do, which Jessie thought was something out of character, but unsuspicious of its true purpose. They visited the New Orleans Museum of Art and walked around the outdoor sculpture garden on a beautifully sunny and warm Winter afternoon. Resting on a bench under a large willow tree, Mike revealed a flip book from his bag and presented it to Jessie.
Editor's note: for some time, Jessie has wanted to create an artwork flipbook of her own for a fine art exhibition after seeing one on display
She flipped through illustrated pages of a woman on a bicycle riding on a beach towards a man bent on one knee, revealing a ring box in which was placed (with double-sided tape) Wilma Jean's engagement ring. Jessie said yes.The newly engaged couple then entered Roberteaux's Venetian gondola, named Bella Mae, which had survived two hurriances (one in Florida, one in NOLA), and were peacefully pushed along a watery corridor of trees, art sculpture, and wildlife.
I never wanted to get married. Having filmed dozens of Bosnian and American weddings for cash one college Summer, the process of marriage is tiresome. I also question the earnesty of lifelong dedication to another in conjunction with actual happiness. Love can be work, love can be sacrifice, love can be uneven. I refuse to compromise aspects of myself in a desire to avoid loneliness, and with Jessie I find no compromise. I find kind love in her, affection that is warm and encouraging, mutualism that engrosses our shared interests and best interests of our future selves. Our bond is a true love that I thought couldn't exist, I am excited to share our celebration of love with you.
I never imagined finding a love like I've found in Mike. For the first time, I feel like there's no challenge I can't overcome in this life, because he's by my side. He is accepting, honest, creative, silly, stable and has a love for living and enjoying life (and he cooks and cleans 😉). I truly feel like we are equals in this partnership, and we use each of our strengths to care for each other and nurture the life we're building together. I know we are both committed to putting in the effort to maintain a happy marriage, embracing all the changes and personal growth along the way, and I'm excited to hold Mike's hand through it all.
In Her Words
In His Words