For our first LOVE STORY of Heartbeat Narratives, we welcome middle school sweethearts, Gigi and Jesse, to reflect on nearly 20 years of being together. With their baby daughter, Samara, in tow, they reminisce about Jesse's memorable *first sight* of Gigi at age 13, their slow-burn high school romance, and the perks of growing up together in Minneapolis. They talk about their cultural backgrounds and how these influences have shaped their relationship. Gigi moved from Italy to Minnesota and has Ghanaian roots, while Jesse was raised in Minnesota and identifies with the Hawaiian diaspora. From midnight phone calls in the early 2000s to starting a family in 2024, they share their hopes for the future, all while staying forever kids at heart as they navigate life together. Host, Molly Mamaril, looks forward to sprinkling in occasional love story episodes as a way to honor - and answer - the question, "Who makes your heart beat?"

Episode Highlights

0:23 Intro to Gigi, Jesse and Samara

1:10 What brings you joy?

1:57 Middle school sweethearts

5:10 Grow up, glow up

6:48 *First Sight*

9:40 Gigi and Jesse's cultural roots - Ghana, Italy, Hawaiʻi, Minnesota

12:37 High school was a sloooow burn

17:06 Getting the scoop from the hairdresser about Jesse's love life

17:35 Midnight phone calls, building the foundation

19:51 Mother-in-law's intuitive dream

20:42 Teacher observations of their budding romance

21:39 Who makes your heart beat?

22:00 Experiencing growing pains together

23:40 Love bubble, reading eachother's minds

25:06 Sprinting to Georgia's heart

26:08 Marriage advice

27:45 3 things you love about eachother

30:02 Forever kids at heart

Episode art photo credit: Molly Mamaril

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

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Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org