How it all began
“We met our first day at Ohio State when we learned we lived across the hall from each other. We became fast friends, spending many weeknights studying, Sunday evenings playing Broomball, and Saturdays at Ohio State football games…”
Our relationship, however, did not evolve until years after we graduated. Once again, Columbus brought us back together. Henry had just graduated law school and returned to work at Vorys in Columbus, while Jillian was doing an away rotation at Ohio State during her final year of medical school at Case Western Reserve University. We caught up like old friends, but something felt different this time. A few weeks passed, and the day Henry passed the Bar Exam, Jillian surprised him by driving down to Columbus. We started dating that day, knowing that we were in it for the long haul.
Jillian was finishing her last year at medical school in Cleveland, and Henry was in Columbus. We had no idea what was next for us, but we knew we wanted to do it together.
Jillian matched into her dream residency – otolaryngology (ENT) – in Memphis, Tennessee and Henry had two more years in Columbus clerking for Judge Sargus and Judge Cole.
Many a mile, an overnight or two in Atlanta, and two cats later, we’re living in Memphis, Tennessee. Fortunate for us, we’ve continued to meet wonderful people who helped us create a home here in the Mid-South.
We’re twenty minutes from Mississippi and Arkansas, but choosing to celebrate with you all in the place that brought us together not once, but twice – Columbus.
We hope you can celebrate with us at the Columbus Museum of Art on October 3, 2026.
We invite you to explore this beautiful city we love!
Recreate Henry & Jillian’s first date night!
Grab a drink or two at Antiques on High, cross the street for a quick snack at Local Cantina, cross the same street again to grab a drink a Law Bird (if you’re a purist, don’t actually grab a drink because you’re too cold) (Jillian), go to Bottle Shop in Grandview, have one of your phones die (Henry), and then be awkward until one of you (Jillian) asks the other (Henry) how you feel about cuddling
Things to do in Columbus
Grab a bag or two of beans while you get your morning coffee. India Monsooned Malabar is our favorite!
4th Street or German Village locations- If there’s one place that you should make it a point to visit, it is probably Fox in the Snow. The pastries are the best in the city, in our opinion. Grab an egg sandwich, it is worth the wait.
Great coffee and great food for an even better cause.
This is where Jillian and I first grabbed coffee after reuniting (we call this our back-dated first date). It is a local coffee shop on the East Side that also serves as a local publishing house. Check out their books!
An expensive but fantastic selection of pastries and coffee.
Northstar in the Short North is a great option. It has several healthy options, great cookies, and the best ginger ale you’ll ever have.
North Market – this is by our hotel room blocks, and it has several selections of cuisine to choose from. There’s also a small Stauf’s where you could grab your second or third coffee of the day.
A great chipotle-esque meditteranean lunch (or dinner!) spot.
Still a somewhat hidden gem (though it has become more popular) for Italian food in Grandview. You can’t go wrong with the classic gnocchi.
Great all-vegan restaurant. If you’re interested, book far in advance.
A pub with plenty of Miller Lite, great bar food, and cozy vibes. Henry was known to run home from this establishment at hours he will not disclose.
A good spot for modern Asian food and drinks if you’d like! Both the cocktails and mocktails are fantastic.
If you’re in the need for a midnight, 1:00am, or even 2:00am slice of pizza, Mikey’s is always reliable. There is a location close to the hotel block.
Where Jillian and Henry first grabbed a drink
Although we did not grab a drink here our first date night, they have a great cocktail selection with small bar snacks.
A classic well-known book store in German Village – pair this with a trip to Staufs just down the street and a pastry from Pistachio Vera
We had a beer here before we started dating. Henry left two times to go do his laundry.
Super weird cocktail bar with great drinks and bizarre (but pleasant) vibes. Lots of incense burning. You can never be sure, but there might be standup comedy or a rave going on in a side room that looks like your high school friend’s basement. Judgment-free zone
If you want to experience where it all started for yourself...
Walk around Ohio State - Campus has changed quite a bit since we graduated, but if you’ve never been to a big state school, you should spend an hour walking around Ohio State. It is its own mini-city. Stop by Mirror Lake after you walk through the Oval. And if you’re by Thompson Library, go up to the Eleventh Floor). If you find yourself at the corner of High and Lane, you can look upon the place we first met (Bowen House, not the CVS or Buffalo Wild Wings).
