Worth the Flight

8,200 miles 13,200 kilometers

8,200 miles 13,200 kilometers

  • One South African taking a risk and moving across the world for a missions year in Richmond VA: leap of faith

  • Falling in love when Janie was on staff and Jesse was a student: scandalous

  • Group hangs while we were “just friends”: $0

  • Walks around Scott’s Addition while we were “still just friends”: also free

  • Knowing we loved each other two months in: slightly terrifying

  • Trying to be lowkey: unsuccessful

  • A Thanksgiving rendezvous in England with Jesse’s British grandfather: bloody brilliant

  • Canned yams and marshmallows packed for a proper American feast: $12

  • United flights between South Africa and the USA: a small fortune

  • Cheapest possible middle seat across the Atlantic: still somehow $1,200

  • Airport goodbyes: brutal

  • Airport parking for one more goodbye hug: $25 (why tho)

  • Long-distance FaceTimes: free, technically

  • Long-distance FaceTimes once Dad hits you with the cell phone bill on Venmo: less free

  • Three weeks in Plettenberg Bay with Jesse’s family: lekker

  • Snacks Janie required for road-tripping across South Africa: R1000 and counting

  • Jesse doing free manual labor at the lake before asking Janie’s dad for his blessing: strategic

  • Flying to South Africa for 8 days to get engaged: slightly insane… but worth it obvi

  • Ten months of lonnggg distance: the ultimate test of love LOLSOB

  • Apostilles, affidavits, and certified copies: why are there so many

  • FBI background check for a spousal visa: $50 (Janie passed, PTL)

  • Immigration attorney fees: more than we hoped

  • Marriage paperwork in two countries: character-building

  • Packing up life in Richmond: a bit chaotic

  • Friends and family cheering us on across time zones, cultures, logistical challenges, and tough long-distance: we could never be grateful enough

  • Starting life in Joburg as newlyweds: YAY!

Falling in love from Richmond to Joburg, from “just friends” to forever?

PRICELESS

PRICELESS

Wedding Details

Because of all the beautiful and complicated logistics of getting married across continents — big families (well… one massive family and one normal sized family), international visa paperwork, moving countries, and so many details in between — we’ve opted for a small, family-only ceremony on August 29th, 2026 in Janie’s beloved hometown of Tarboro, North Carolina.

BUT. MORE CELEBRATIONS TO COME!!! We are planning fun parties in both countries! So stay tuned — if you’re reading this, you’re invited.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. For your love, support, excitement… every call, text, prayer, and encouragement. We are overwhelmed by the love in our lives.

xo, J+J

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