This Valentine’s Day, we got a chance to chat with Jessica and Zach, who helped shoot our new Close To My Heart collection. Shop the collection here—featuring modern heirlooms designed to commemorate your most meaningful moments.
Based in Los Angeles—Jessica Manning (@jessica_manning) is a content creator, and her partner Zach Brose (@zach_brose), is a musician.
Post shoot, we spoke with the pair about their story as a couple, and what love means to them.
Kinn: Tell us a little bit about yourselves—How and when did the two of you meet? How long have you been together?
J & Z: We met many many years ago through a mutual friend and became fast friends. Not long after, we became a couple and we've been together ever since. This year we're getting married on our 10 year anniversary :)
Kinn: How and when did you know your partner was the one you wanted to spend your life with?
J & Z: When we met we became really close really quickly. We found it really easy to spend time together and to be vulnerable with one another. We both just felt really understood by each other. It's like the two of us had our own little safe space, we still do. After spending almost every day together as best friends we quickly became more…and when we took that leap I think we both knew that this was it for us. I guess that's why they say you should marry your best friend <3
Kinn: What is something small your partner does that means a lot to you?
J & Z: Zach is incredibly thoughtful. Every now and then I'll find a little note left at my desk or he'll surprise me with a coffee when he's out. Recently I found a little post-it on my desk with my daily vitamins that said "I can't wait to marry you". But mostly he's always great at taking things off my plate when life feels stressful. Taking the dog out in the morning so I can sleep a little later, things like that.
Kinn: How do you prioritize spending time together with busy schedules?
J & Z: Luckily, we both work from home. I work as a freelance content creator and Zach is a musician and also works in tech. Before these careers we both pursued music and spent almost every day together as well. In our almost 10 years I think we have spent the majority of our days beside one another and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Kinn: If you could give one piece of relationship advice to anyone, what would it be?
J & Z: To listen without judgment. To really hear your partner when they are trying to communicate something to you. And meet them with an attentive ear the way you would a best friend. I think we do a good job of honoring where we both come from and the incredibly different experiences that led us to now. We really see each other and that makes any challenges we go through less scary.
Kinn: What are both of your love languages? How do you like to give and receive love?
J & Z: I would say my love languages are 'acts of service' and 'quality time' and Zach's are 'words of affirmation' and 'acts of service'
