Most people are surprised to learn that Abbie and Jake first met back in March 2020 on a spring break trip. Credit goes to Emma and Brett Whelton, who were freshly dating at the time. Abbie showed up with a boyfriend, and Jake had just gotten out of a long relationship—so the vibe was less “future spouses” and more “Abbie was taken and Jake had a drink in hand.” In 2021, they crossed paths again—thanks to Emma and Brett. You’re probably sensing a pattern here. Emma invited Abbie to Fort Worth to watch Brett and Jake’s baseball game, and after the game the group ended up at Billy Bob’s—where Abbie and Jake spent the night two-stepping. Cute? Yes. Perfect timing? Not yet. Abbie was out of college and wasn’t about to date someone who still had homework. 😉 Over the next couple of years, Jake stayed in the picture with a text here and there—just enough to remind Abbie he hadn’t disappeared. And then 2023 happened. It was one of the hardest years of Abbie’s life, but it also did something important: it softened her, strengthened her, and made her ready to receive the kind of steady, faithful love Jake would bring. By July 2023, in the most full-circle way possible, they were reunited at Emma and Brett’s wedding. Emma made sure to deliver Jake’s updated stats to Abbie: single, living in Dallas, and fully employed. From there, it was basically a wrap. Over the next three days, Abbie and Jake were inseparable—and found out they lived three minutes apart in Dallas, which felt like the universe was being a little too obvious. That weekend made them realize just how perfect God’s timing is. Since then, they’ve done real life together—the hard days, the best days, and everything in between. Looking back on 2020 still makes them laugh. They were already connected, just a few years early.