There's a part of our lives, a fantastic thing about my partner that I'm excited to share with the blogosphere... or, at least, our tiny little part of it.

Wayne started this new job recently with this pretty great company called GeekNet. He's been very excited to work with people that he respects on projects that he is excited about and to learn new things. As many of you know, him getting a new job is interesting territory for us. We aren't married, and that's a choice that we will continue to make for as long as marriage is a choice some people don't have, and he insures me. Up until this point that's been a conversation he has had to have, and that's all. Usually, in his line of work, you can have many things added to your contract and made into law without tons of institutional change. In this particular case Wayne was able to have that honest conversation before hiring and was assured that things would be fine.

We found out later that GeekNet, while being an amazingly inclusive company and far ahead of it's time many ways, only currently insures married couples and same sex domestic partners. We had no options under their plans.

I'm proud of Wayne, and ridiculously supportive of GeekNet because of this...

Within days the amazing Human Resources folks at GeekNet were looking into an opposite sex domestic partner benefits plan. Only one week later they were able to assure us that starting January 1, 2012 they will most likely be able to offer those benefits to us.

It's important that you know that he has only worked there for two full weeks and that neither of us are currently insured under their plan.

This company is a shining example of a corporation that takes care of their employees and that immediately reacts to issues which are important to its stakeholders. They are obviously taking the legal steps necessary to institute the kinds of change that, I hope, will lead to gender neutral definitions for all legal partner benefits. I am so so so so so ridiculously proud of Wayne for having these conversations and for GeekNet for stepping up in a big way.

Can we all just please have one slow golf clap for GeekNet?

♥ Jessa

I know that it's officially fall because last night I felt the urge to go running. Not only did I feel the urge, I actually asked Wayne if we could go and I kept up with his intervals the entire 3 miles. Summer is officially over because I'm not crazy enough to go running in the summer.

Ode to Summer:

Student Development Theory in the sunshine by the pool.

Bright colors and happiness.

Take your brain breaks by finding shapes in the clouds.

Sweaty days, pool days, heat dazed.

Seeking out shade... ALL.THE.TIME. Oh summer, I will not miss you.

Until next year, summer. Hopefully I'll have an internship somewhere much cooler and happier.

♥ Jessa

Slowly but surely, the house is coming together. This last home improvement all started, as many do, with a trip to IKEA. :)

With a little bit of knowhow and a drill, Wayne turned our room from this...

into this...

Which was really very necessary. For months now poor Wayne's office has been acting as storage for many things, including our DVDs and books. This doesn't really change that entirely but it certainly did give me the opportunity to clean up a bit and store things more efficiently. See? This is a big difference!

♥ Jessa

We're currently on our way to Clearwater to celebrate the union of two truly amazing people. I'm so happy that JoAnne and my path's crossed twice. First because she was taking classes with my little from APhiO, and secondly through Lael. Obviously, we were meant to be friends! I've had such good times with this girl and the entire group of friends that I'm going to see today and I'm so grateful to have those memories!

In 2009. That's the happy couple on the left!

2008. Checking out the creepy blackjack dealer in the bar. Who has a blackjack dealer in a bar?

2007! Po Boys Crew! Don't forget them fried pickles!

I think now is the time to document the pictures of pretty ladies in tiny dresses. My friends are so beautiful. Looking back at these pictures for me was actually a much needed wake up call. I've been totally slacking on dressing professionally for work and paying attention to my hair and makeup. Seeing how I look in these photos as compared to just a few months ago was pretty jarring. I'm glad I have such pretty friends to remind me that feeling pretty is important.

All the girls!

I really love this photo. It's artsy and pretty.

In the VIP booth.

We spent a decent amount of time just walking around downtown Orlando.

See what I mean? Such gorgeous girls! The bachelorette is in purple.

That was a lot of photos - but what can I say? I ♥ this chick!

♥ Jessa

Let it be known that October 1st marks the beginning of Florida Fall in 2011. If you've never experienced it you're missing out. The temperature is down to 70 here in Gainesville, the trees are super green, the sky is impossibly blue.

Pretty much the entire household is gathered on the pallet furniture outside, lounging and studying and paper writing and reading. (Which one of those do you think is me?)

Working on my paper for the History of American Higher Education

Matt and Mills studying

We've been extremely interested in the fruit trees in our neighborhood lately because many of them are laden with green fruits. We originally thought that the tree between our house and our neighbors in the front yard was lemons - which was exciting. Then, Rachel went and cut one open to use for face wash and found that it was probably orange, not lemon. When we found a similar tree in our backyard, tucked away in a corner, we just assumed that it was the same tree. Today we cut one of them open and found that it is certainly not an orange. How fun this mystery is! I can't wait to solve it and then use the fruit!

See the difference in color? The one on the left is an orange (we think) and the two on the right are either lemon or lime. (TBD)

Family photo! Rachel and Mills and Lily - one super sweet happy family.

See why I'm so happy I ended up here? I couldn't think of a more perfect beginning to October.

♥ Jessa

P.S. I have new items in the