Nearly four decades ago, two high school students met at a dance in Alaska — a brief spark between teenagers from rival schools. Life took them in different directions, across states and decades, through marriages, families, and heartbreak. But after 32 years apart, Bryan and Jennie Drollinger found their way back to each other — and now, their extraordinary second-chance love story is capturing hearts across the nation.

The Star Valley couple is currently a finalist in the “America’s Favorite Couple” contest, a nationwide competition that celebrates inspiring love stories. Their journey — full of unexpected turns, enduring hope, and the kind of romance usually reserved for movies — is resonating with thousands.

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“Jennie and I met in high school, rival high schools actually up in Alaska, almost 40 years ago,” Brian shared. They were set up by mutual friends (who are currently married) at a dance. “We weren’t like boyfriend, girlfriend, but we liked each other and we got together.”

Jennie shared, “Bryan moved to California in 1987. I left for college in 1988.”

After staying in contact during Brian’s church mission, he went to Oregon, where his parents lived, while Jennie was living in Utah.

They continued being in contact and decided to meet for lunch in Utah, where he would be recording some music he had written. Before recording, he tried to call Jennie and the phone had been disconnected, which led him to think that she was no longer interested. That couldn’t have been more false.

“It took 32 years for me to explain that my roommate hadn’t paid the phone bill,” Jennie said, turning to her now-husband. “I wanted to see you, and I actually walked downtown trying to find you for over two hours.”

Over the decades, Brian and Jennie each married other people and raised children — nine between the two of them — while living separate lives in different states. Despite the years and the distance, their story wasn’t over. When they eventually reconnected through the same mutual friends they had as teens, it didn’t take long for old feelings to return. The pair married just a few years ago, beginning the second chapter of their love story.

Now, they’re preparing to share that journey with the world. Jennie emotionally expressed her desire to let others know their story and to support those on their own journeys.

A book about their story — co-authored by Brian and well-known Christian romance writer Tricia Goyer — is set to be released this fall.

In addition to the book, the couple is launching a podcast in September on Jennie’s website, SecondChanceOnLove.com. The show will feature their story as well as others from couples who have found love after loss, heartbreak, or time apart.

“I think that’s really cool,” Brian said. “We’ll start out with ours and our friend’s story, but then it’ll go to other people.”

The “America’s Favorite Couple” contest isn’t just about votes and visibility. It also supports nonprofit organizations like Oceana and the LA Food Bank. Winners will receive a feature in Variety magazine, national exposure, and $20,000 — a prize the Drollingers hope will help spread their message even further.

“This might be a good marketing thing,” Jennie said. “Not only the monetary value of the $20,000… but our story, I think, is so important and valuable. It gets me so emotional and so tender to my heart… that we feel like we need to share our story, that you can have happy endings… that love can find you later in life.”

Currently ranked first in their group as of publication time, Brian and Jennie are moving through weekly contest cuts as they aim for the grand prize announcement in mid-September.

“We’re not going on a vacation… that’s not what the goal is for the money,” Jennie said. “It’s to perpetuate our story and play it forward.”

To support the Drollingers, visit AmericasFavCouple.org/2025/the-Drollingers. One free vote is allowed per day, with the option to purchase additional votes as donations. You can also scan the accompanying QR code.