Join us in the hills

Jake and Alijah met at Southern Adventist University. Jake, a freshman, was looking for a friend. Not just any friend, a special female friend. Let’s just say he entered college with an agenda. Alijah, a sophomore, was living her best life unaware of Jakes presence. So how did their paths cross you ask? We briefly met tubing down a river with friends one of the first weekends of school. I didn’t think much of it during the moment but little did I know that Jake’s interest had already been peaked. Shortly after, Jake was with some friends. One of them, Ally, suggested he talk to a girl who was in one of her classes. This girl just happened to be me! Thanks Ally! After stalking my social media he was determined to try to get to know me better. This marked the beginning of our friendship. That year we spent as friends though I had no idea of his previous interest! I will admit that I was intrigued by this crazy redhead! That summer, we both worked at different summer camps but kept in touch. Our friendship, as some friendships do, quickly began to grow into something more. We were amazed by how much we had in common. Our unique ideas and dreams weaved together and created an exciting picture of the future that we could have!

When we got back to school, it was an easy decision to start dating. It truly felt like God had given us to each other as not only a best friend, but as someone we could spend the rest of our lives with. Of course, I couldn’t know for sure but I felt right away that there was something very special about this relationship. Had we really found “the one”? The next year and a half, we were pretty inseparable. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure partner! From studying together and praying together, to traveling and exploring, the time flew by. Early on, I remember him telling me that he put all his eggs in one basket with dating me. I laughed but I guess he really meant it!