Our Love Story: How Adventure, Faith, and the Outdoors Brought Us Together

From Jess’s Perspective

It was February 8, 2024.

The air was cold, but the sun was shining on Lost Trail Pass in the snow-covered mountains of Montana. As I looked out over the stunning peaks, I thought “I don’t think this day could get much better.” Little did I know what was in store…

Ok a bit of background information… I am long time friends with Charlene. Since the day our friendship budded in youth group, we were constantly planning trips together. When some of Charlene’s cousins planned a snowboarding trip, Char didn’t want to be the only girl navigating the mountains. So naturally, she invited me! It took little (ok basically no) convincing and I was packing my bags for the trip to Montana with my best friend. Another thing you should know… Charlene’s last name is Helmuth. Ya – you guessed it! Charlene and Jeremy and Cousins.

Before long our whole group of snowboarding enthusiasts were riding through the glades (large patches of evergreen trees where the snow is not groomed). It was pretty clear to see who the most ‘colorful’ people in the group were. I was sporting a vintage 80s onesie and Jeremy was in his favourite color… bright orange. Yup, just like a walking traffic cone! We were bound to notice each other!

From Jeremy’s Perspective

I made it my mission to get to get to know Jess on that trip. I tried everything – talking to her at lunch, saving her snowboard after it almost slide off the back side of the mountain, and even hit her square in the face with a snowball (Lucky shot). Out of all my attempts talking to her seemed to work the best… (I wouldn’t advise using my snowball tactic to get the attention of a girl you like… but when all else fails 😉). We connected over our passion for aviation, the outdoors, and our love for God.

Towards the end of that trip, Jess happened to mention that she will be racing her first duathlon in April. “Great!” I thought, “I have another reason to see her.” I offered to be her racing companion. Jess and Charlene headed home to Ohio, while the rest of us went back to Indiana. April couldn’t come fast enough!

From Jess’s Perspective

April came… and with it the race. The Montana group was reunited! The race went well, but the thing I remember most is staying up late around the fire and laughing so hard I almost peed my pants. I also introduced the group to rock climbing. We all had such a fun time that I was invited to join the crew on a mud run in May. Charlene and I packed the tent and headed for Indiana!

Let’s just say we got a little muddy…

“Well now that all the races are over, how am I going to see Jeremy again? We have so much in common and when we are together there is never a shortage of laughter! But what should I do… he’s from Indiana and I’m from Ohio?”, I thought. The impression had been made, and I wanted more time with this man. It wasn’t long until we talked on the phone and Jeremy asked me out on a coffee date.

“4.5 hours of driving one-way for a coffee date?”, I asked myself. “This guy must be serious!” *Cue excited girl scream!!!*

On July 15th, 2024 we made it official! It was like finding a full time, constant adventure partner! From rock climbing, mountain biking, white water kayaking, or snowboarding to flying airplanes and winter camping… we were always outside and always adventuring! Our our first Valentine’s Day together was spent hiking up a mountain to watch the sunrise and making coffee in our Jetboil! (See photo below) 👇

Fast Forward to June 2025. We embark on our biggest adventure yet!

From both Jess & Jeremy’s Perspective

We are going to Alaska

*side tangent*

Now dear reader… you may be thinking to yourself, “How do they do so much? How do they go on so many adventures? I don’t know if I could ever do that!”.

Well let us let you in on a little secret!!!

We would be doing you a dis-service if we didn’t stop here for a moment and explain to you the importance of God in our relationship. Without our faith and determination to seek God’s will for our lives, we would not have made it to this point. On a very real note… every relationship goes through struggles. It is what your foundation is on that will carry you through those rocky times. We give all glory to Jesus for allowing us the opportunity to serve together in Alaska for the mission of bringing the good news to the most remote places on earth. We are not very extraordinary people. Yet we are both people who were (and are!) willing to seek God’s will for our lives above our own! His plan is always better… I suppose that’s why we keep ending up on all these adventures!

The good news about this is that it doesn’t take someone extra special, it just takes someone willing! And that could be you too…

Ok. Now back to the story!

As a treat to ourselves, we splurged and paid for a whale watching tour! We saw just about every type of whale you can see, including a momma humpback teaching her baby how to breach! It was absolutely magical to see these amazing creatures playing in their natural habitat.

We set the day for

October 30th, 2025

Wedding Photos by Captured By Carmelinda

And that’s our story! Happily ever after.

“But now wait a minute… you are both total adventures! How on earth are you planning to settle down?”

Well fellow adventurer, I’m glad you asked! We were asking ourselves the same question. And we decided… we are not settling down! This is only the beginning of the adventures! We have devised a plan – one with plenty of adventure, breathtaking views, and all while living out of our tent.

“Living out of your tent??? Did I read that right?”

You sure did! Ok only living out of the tent for a few months! But who knows after that.

I’ll give you another hint…

We just booked two flights to New Zealand!

Hungry for more information on who we were before meeting each other?

“Now Faith, Hope, and Love always remain. But the greatest of these is LOVE.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:13