Meet Jess and Jack!
Jack and Jess. Photographer: Kim Miller
Jess and Jack officially tied the knot this past October, celebrating their forever “I dos” with stunning rings from Joslin’s Jewelry! For nearly five decades, Joslin’s has been honored to play a role in so many love stories, especially when it means bringing a couple’s dream-ring to life!
Jess was originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Jack from a small town in Nebraska. As fate would have it, both had moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to attend the University of Kansas. However, the two didn’t meet on campus. Jess was working as a CNA (certified nurse aide) at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor while going to school, and she was asked to train a new employee – who happened to be Jack! The two became good friends first, and later started dating.
It was one day after work when Jess and Jack went on their first outing together, a coffee date at the Roost. According to Jess, “I remember being really nervous – and we were both still in our scrubs!”
The date was a resounding success, and the two continued to grow closer. Jess, who worked as a COVID ICU nurse during the pandemic, had the incredibly difficult job of helping patients make final phone calls to their loved ones. After one of these difficult calls, Jess said she realized she really needed to talk to someone – and Jack was that someone she wanted to talk to. Jess knew then that Jack was the one.
Jess and Jack’s rings from Joslin’s. Photographer: Kim Miller
The relationship progressed, and both felt marriage was on the horizon for them; in fact, Jess had taken to teasing Jack about proposing. But Jack was waiting for just the right moment to pop the question. That moment happened one day when Jess was lying down to take a nap – and she made a little joke about how they should just get married. Jack couldn’t have agreed more, and the time felt just right. He jumped right up, grabbed the ring, and asked her to marry him right on the spot! Excited to share the news, the two had a celebratory dinner that evening with Jack’s parents.
Finding the Perfect Ring
Before Jack surprised Jess with his impromptu proposal, the two looked at engagement rings together. The couple, who are close friends of Gary Joslin’s daughter Elicia and son-in-law Cameron, already knew for certain where they wanted to shop!
Jess and Jack. Photographer: Kim Miller
Jess, like many brides, showed up to her first ring-shopping trip without a clear idea of the design she wanted. The team at Joslin’s helped guide her to explore several different ring styles and took the time to explain important details, such as how diamonds are graded and the differences in cuts. Joslin’s educational approach allowed Jess to gain a clearer sense of the kind of ring she wanted. Once she had a general idea of what she liked, she trusted Jack to make the final selection on his own.
And, according to Jess, Jack did a standout job! Her engagement ring features a stunning oval diamond set in a classic white gold solitaire – an elegant and timeless design. Joslin’s staff made the entire process enjoyable and pressure-free. Jess’s advice for future brides: “Trust your instincts! I briefly considered a different diamond shape to stand out, but in the end, I realized a timeless choice was truly the right one for me!”
Family and friends gathered together on October 17, 2025, for Jess and Jack’s ceremony at the beautiful UNION Venue in the Crossroads district. The two are planning a getaway to celebrate their wedding in the coming months. “We’ve been on several tropical vacations together, so we want to do something a little different – maybe a ski vacation in Banff National Park.”
From KU classmates to the newest of newlyweds, Jess and Jack’s love story journey shows how friendship, love, and a little help from Joslin’s can lead to the perfect wedding day! Joslin’s is proud to help couples celebrate their love with guidance, expertise, and personalized attention. Visit Joslin’s Jewelry today to start your own engagement ring journey with Kansas City’s best!
