Ben Simmons: When Two Worlds Become One

Introduction to Us

Before we get into our lives together, I figured I should provide you with some background information.

My name is Sara Jones and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. That name probably rings a bell because of the crazy owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones. Well, he just happens to be my grandfather. My father is the CEO of the team, and has been married to my mother for 35 years. I am the only child, and only grandchild. Because of my family's business, life has always been extravagant for me. I grew up having the best toys, clothes, and vacations. I graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2015 with a bachelors degree in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs. Last summer, I started working for the Cowboys as a recruiting scout and draft specialist. This means that I would work with the General Manager and other members of the scouting team to figure out what the team needed in next year's draft. Starting in the fall, I would visit players and watch one of their games, and meet them. This would happen all football season. Then, I would go out to the NFL combine to see them and meet with them again. After this, I give my personal report to my grandfather and he works with his team to narrow it down. The best part of my job though, is getting to be in the War Room on Draft night.

Now you have a general understanding of my life, and I promise you will learn more as time goes on. So, how does Ben play into this story? Let's rewind to September 2015.

It was a relatively cool September day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My grandfather had gotten word of a possible draft prospective player, so he called me on Thursday night and told me to pack my bags - the jet was leaving at 7am the next morning. Now, there I was on the beautiful campus, and completely lost. I had a meeting with Les Miles in 30 minutes, and could not manage to figure out where I was supposed to be. There was a very tall stranger walking semi-towards me in athletic clothes and headphones. This did not stop me. I walked straight towards him, and stopped. He looked surprised and halted in his tracks, removing his headphones. Before he could even get a word out, I started. "Hi, I'm looking for the athletic offices and cannot find them to save my life." I gave a quick smile to avoid seeming completely rude. He was cute, and now standing in front of him, I realized how freakishly tall he was (I would later learn he is 6'10 compared to my 5'7 build). He smiled down at me, "Stay walking straight, go past the Student Union and Memorial Tower and keep going. It should be about half a mile past." As soon as he spoke, I noticed an accent (again, I would also later learn he is Australian). I thanked him. "So you play basketball?" I asked, and nodded to his shirt which read LSU Basketball. "Yeah. You an incoming athlete?" I was confused until I remembered I had asked for directions to the athletic office. "Oh, no. I actually graduated from SMU last year. I have a meeting with Les Miles in about 30 minutes." "Woah, Les Miles? How'd you score that?" he asked, chuckling. "Grandfather owns the Dallas Cowboys." He looked shocked, as most people are, when they hear this. "Well, thank you for the directions, but I don't want to be late." I said while turning in the direction he had pointed me to. I had only taken three steps when I heard his cute accent behind me. "Wait! I didn't catch your name." I smiled before turning around. "Sara. And you are?" "Ben. Nice to meet you, Sara." I couldn't help but notice he hadn't stopped smiling since I turned around. "You as well." "Do you think I could get your number? You know, in case you get lost again. I know campus pretty well." He took out his phone from his pocket and pressed the screen a few times before handing it to me. I added my name and number and handed it back. "Thank you again, Ben." And then I left him there, and went to my meeting.

The player I was there to talk about ended up being a complete nutjob off the field, so the trip was almost a complete waste, except that Ben texted me that night as soon as I landed. We began talking, and I flew back out to Baton Rouge in early October. We went to dinner and strolled around campus. It was during our walk that he stopped me suddenly and took my hands saying, "I am crazy about you. I would rather have bad times with you than good times with someone else. I'd rather have hard times together, than easy times apart. I'd rather have the one who holds my heart. I know we haven't had the opportunity to spend a lot of time together, but I have fallen for you and I can't imagine life without you being mine. Will you be my girlfriend?"

It's been nine months since then.