America’s Most Captivating Couples 2008
Newton, Massachusetts
Jennifer Chrisler, 37, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
Cheryl Jaques, 45, Lawyer, Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten
Jennifer and Cheryl met almost 15 years ago when Jennifer got involved in Cheryl’s campaign for state senate. They were friends for five years before they started dating. As the Executive Director of the Family Equality Council (formerly Family Pride), Jennifer fights for the rights of all loving families, regardless of blood relation or sexual orientation. In addition to being a lawyer, Cheryl is the former head of the Human Rights Campaign. They are the proud parents of two sons, Tom and Tim, age five. “We love spending time with our kids, playing checkers, go fish and Connect Four. For gown-up fun, we love going to estate sales to find treasures, and taking long walks together,” says Jennifer. Their secret: “We try to remember to attack our problems instead of each other. Whenever we face adversity in our lives, we remain focused on what we are trying to solve instead of getting angry with each other about the situation we’re in. It also helps to have a good sense of humor, and to laugh together often.”
The results are in! After a grueling selection process, we’ve skimmed the sweet cream off this year’s batch of entries and whipped it into GO’s most captivating couples of 2008. Many more couples coming soon!
Joelle & Jennifer
New York, New York
Joelle Aron, 51, Photo Researcher/Visual Artist
Jennifer Paul, 31, COTA/Alternative Health
There is so much warmth, playfulness, joy and affection in our
relationship that it radiates out to everyone around us,” Joelle and
Jennifer agree. They had their first date over a cup of coffee. “As she
walked toward me, all I could see was her lovely, bright smile,” Jennifer
recalls. Joelle adds, “I had to confess to Jennifer that I had dreamt of
loving a woman since I was a teenager. This month, we are celebrating two years since that winter night. [This relationship] has lead to joy and
self-realization.” They share an interest in alternative health, and plan
to open a wellness cafe in which people can come together to explore and celebrate nutrition. “We are committed to creating community.”
