Jerol & Katy
February 4, 2023
Feb 4
2023
TO 3:00 pm
Feb 4
2023
TO 11:00 pm
AAAAHHHH..., THE STORY....
I don't know if this should be written in first, second, or third person, but we all know who's writing this!
Our story is both rare and something so very unexpected.
Jerol and Katy met for the first time in the year 1996. Jerol lived in Tampa at the time and was in the same friend circle as Katy's High School friends. Anybody that knew Jerol remembers all the fun they had at his house over the weekends. Katy and Jerol always had a little spark, but their timing was not to be at that moment.
As everyone started living out their lives, so did Katy & Jerol. As the years went on, Katy was busy raising her son as a single mom, and Jerol was raising his son and daughter as a single dad. Both of them throughout their journeys, trying to make relationships work with the wrong people.
To make a long story very short... in 2019, they reconnected in of all places, through LinkedIn, when Katy started a new job. Jerol would text novels and although he was very thorough, Katy was tired of all the texting and decided to just pick up the phone and call him.
As one could guess, Katy did 95% of all the talking while Jerol just listened intently. (One of Jerol's ongoing jokes to this day is that if Katy was a doll, she would be named "Katy-talks-a-lot"). From that first phone call, it was the start of a very special reuniting.
Every night they talked and laughed as they got to know each other and rekindle their spark from years ago. Amongst all the chatter and amusement there was a love that was forming between them that neither one of them had experienced before... TRUE LOVE!
Life is not a fairy tale, but, if Katy and Jerol's story were, Katy at last found her prince that takes her for all of her craziness and lets her be exactly who she is, and Jerol finally got his princess who loves him and takes care of him with all of her heart, and gives him the loyalty he truly deserves. And when Katy loses her slipper every night at the stroke of midnight, Jerol always finds it for her.
Jerol and Katy who both had their own past relationship trauma, learned how to help unpack each other's baggage side by side, while loving and growing together. Weeding out the Wicked Witches and Evil Sorcerers along the way, it is now finally time for their Happily Ever After!!!
Jerol asked for Katy's hand in marriage on April 23, 2022, 25 years from when they first met. Of course, Katy said yes after twenty minutes of being in shock and sobbing covered in tears of joy. The time had come for these two soulmates to become one.
Marriage has been instilled in both Katy and Jerol by their parents with their unwavering love and enduring commitment to each other. Jerol's parents will be celebrating 50 years of marriage in January of 2023, and Katy's parents will also be celebrating 50 years of marriage in March of 2023. We will be taking our wedding vows in February, between two monumental anniversaries of our parents, the two greatest examples of what marriage stands for, and the proof that love will always conquer all.
As single parents, we couldn't have raised our children without them, and their incredible support and unconditional love. Our parents are the reason that we believe in marriage!
So, if you are reading this story right now, please know that you have been carefully selected to take part in this extraordinary day with us. Each and every one of you is very special to both Jerol and me and have played a huge part in our lives together.
We can't wait to see all of you and celebrate LOVE!
Jerol & Katy
Gallery
Suzi and Katy met for the first time on Thanksgiving at the Ayasun's house. This was Katy's first holiday being around the entire family. When Katy noticed the detail, time and energy that Suzi took to make a signature Thanksgiving themed cocktail, she knew she was going to get along with her.
Suzi is a retired Lt. Colonel in the Marine Corps and is the most structured and organized mother that Katy has ever met or known. Even with all the structure and organization, Suzi still knows how to have a great time when we all go out together and can hold her own up on the Karaoke stage.
Suzi, it was very important to me to have you in my wedding because you are an amazing wife and you know what it takes to make a marriage work. Also, I don't think even if I sat down and made a wish list of every quality I would want for a future sister-in-law that it wouldn't even come close to how astounding you are. Thank you for being a part of this day with me (I might need your help with a signature cocktail for the reception).
Olivia and Katy met when she was 18 years old. Olivia is a wonderful sister to Colin and daughter to Jerol. She was used to taking care of the "boys in the house" and took a little time to get used to Katy being around. The blending of a family is an intricate process, little by little everyone learned more about each other and grew closer together. With Olivia's snorts and Katy's cackles, the rest of the family has a lot to deal with once they get on a roll of laughing together.
Oliva currently is attending Florida SouthWestern and is working full-time at Physician's Regional as a Phlebotomist in the Hospital lab. She is studying Psychology and is still deciding what she wants to do in the future. Olivia is starting to spread her wings and fly on her own and Katy and Jerol are very proud of her.
Olivia, thank you for being a part of this day with us and helping me pick out the colors for the wedding with your good eye. I'm very lucky to not only get your dad as my husband but to get you as a Stepdaughter. There are going to be two Colins in the family, but there is only one Olivia Rose!
Danika is the only daughter of Suzi and Gary Thompson. She has just started 7th grade and enjoys singing, music and performing in school productions. Danika is also a Girl Scout and very persuasive saleswoman when it comes to her cookie sales. She got Katy to buy multiple boxes of gluten-free cookies which were horrible by telling Katy they "go great with your morning coffee".
Dani is a very special girl, she is very funny and constantly makes the entire family laugh (when she's not too busy posting various TikTok videos online). Traditionally, the Junior Bridesmaid walks alone down the aisle. Knowing this, Jerol and Katy knew Dani would love this as she will not have to share the stage with anyone else.
Dani, I am so happy to you are going to be in our wedding. I can't wait to see you rock that Steel Blue dress and SHINE like the star that you are!
Danali the "Diva" is the daughter of Jessica and John Sites. Her role as flower girl will have an "extra" role as the wedding party princess, wearing the poofiest dress that could be found.
Danali is 5 years old and is obsessed with Barbies, loves gymnastics and she in a jazz dance class. Denali loves playing with her brother Koa and you can never say no to her big blue eyes.
Denali, thank you for liking poofy, girly things. You are the epitome of a flower girl and I am so lucky to have you in our wedding!
Don and Jerol have been friends for over 15 years. Don and his wife Monica’s daughter Victoria grew up with Jerol’s daughter Olivia. They cheered both their girls playing Volleyball over the years and spent countless nights at hockey games together cheering their favorite teams, the Everblades and Chicago Blackhawks.
Don and Jerol make it a point to get together at least once a month for a gentleman’s evening of dinner filled by UFC fights that they both enjoy. When Don & Jerol aren't having their "Man Dates", they take Monica and Katy along with them and have some great dinners out at wonderful restaurants around town. Don and Jerol are happy to share their diet sodas while Katy and Monica can enjoy their wine together.
Don is “retired” but still finds time to work with Jerol at Sunshine Stitchers driving the delivery van 3 days a week. Don will always lend a helping hand, unless his mom has something planned for him to do.
Javi and Jerol have been friends since high school and have always kept in touch over the years. Jerol was a groomsman at Javi‘s wedding to Mimi and now it’s time for him to do the same.
Javi and Mimi were the first friends that Jerol introduced Katy to at lunch in Tampa. After lunch Javi pulled Jerol aside and said good job, Jerol, that one’s a keeper, I guess he was right.
Javi currently lives in Brandon, FL with his wife and two Daughters, Amaya and Milana. He has been working as a senior Director of Network Information Security at PWC in Tampa for over 12 years and is a proud Graduate of USF.
David is Jerol’s nephew and son of Gary and Suzi Thompson. Currently a sophomore in high school in Pike Road, Alabama, David enjoys being part of the school, marching band and being on the field at football games playing for the crowd.
In his personal time, David is an avid video game player and enjoys Anime. David is a great kid and we all enjoy his funny wit and incredible knowledge of obscure facts.
David is a wonderful nephew and we are so happy to have him be a part of our Big Day !!
Koa is our Ring Bearer. With a heart of gold, he will take his role in the ceremony with the utmost of importance.
Koa is the son of Jessica, the Matron of Honor, and her husband John. Koa loves baseball, go-karting, drumming, and also recently acquired a love of flying drones thanks to Jerol!
We are so very excited to have this special boy in our wedding. We can't wait to see you looking so handsome in your tuxedo Koa!!