Mike and Jolene were both born in the fall of 1976.
They both spent the first two years of their life in Alaska.
Both in Anchorage.
Mike moved to Utah at 2.
Jolene and her family moved to Girdwood, Alaska when she was 4.
Mike and his mom lived in East St. Louis after Mike's parents divorced when he was 7.
Jolene moved to Wasilla, Alaska at about 7.
Jolene's family lived in unfinished houses in Wasilla, which are the best kind because you can draw on the walls...
Mike moved to Alaska when his mom re-married. He was in 6th grade.
In 7th grade, a funny guy came into band and Jolene noticed him.
Mike and Jolene became friends.
And closer friends.
And closer friends.
Until in 10th grade, Mike asked her out.
But nobody dates their "forever" in 10th, grade, right? So they split. Amicably.
And after Mike had adventures in Space Camp.
And after Jolene had adventures in France.
They were once again close friends.
And then Mike dated a few girls who were not so great...
And Jolene dated a few guys who were not so great...
And on high school graduation night, the grad party happened to be at Jolene's family's cabin on Big Lake. Mike came.
There was a moment when Jolene looked at Mike and realized - Now or Never
And a moment when Mike looked at Jolene and thought - I really like her, and we might get separated
So they went for a boat ride, leaving the party-people stranded on an island for three hours - because that's how long it took for Mike to kiss her.
Mike and Jolene started college at UAA, and then Mike said - I love southern Utah, we should go there together.
And so they did. After he proposed.
And halfway through college, and just after Jolene joined the LDS church (it happened to be one of the reasons she fell in love with Mike to begin with), Mike and Jolene were married in Alaska. 1996.
Mike finished undergrad in Spring of 1998 - Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Jolene finished undergrad in Spring of 1998 - Political Science and French (with certificates in Middle East Studies, International Relations, and Secondary Education)
Mike and Jolene moved back to Alaska.
Mike joined the military and they moved to Ft. Lewis Washington. When Mike and Jolene realized that they'd only sleep in the same house less than half the time, Mike didn't re-up for the military...
After trying for kids for several years, Mike and Jolene were told it just wasn't going to happen. But that was okay. Mike wanted to go to law school. He'd been adopted and it had worked out pretty awesome for him. Mike and Jolene could do the same. Jolene could work and help pay for school.
Jolene got pregant two months into Mike's freshman year of Law School.
Neither cared. Student loans built up. Jolene stayed home sick and pregnant. And they both questioned their sanity in keeping Mike in law school.
2003. Emma arrived. Every year, moment, heartache was worth it for their small miracle.
Emma was born with Moebius Syndrome. Rare. Wicked smart, healthy, but needing some extra attention. Jolene continued to stay home.
Mike continued to question if he was doing the right thing by staying in school.
Spring 2005, Mike graduated from law school and immediately got a position at the Palmer DAs office.
Law school was worth it.
In 2006, another miracle came in the form of Jack.
And all of the decisions, and all of the good and bad and easy and not so easy things were worth it. Because they were a family.
And they're really, ridiculously, blessed, happy and thankful to be where they are today.
Mike works as a prosecutor and Jolene writes books for teens.
Emma and Jack surprise them with their awesomeness almost every day...and a little less on some other days ;-)
Life is good.
~ Jolene
