We're tying the knot!

Jake was working as a bicycle mechanic at a local bike shop. He had only just moved back to Oakland and been there for a month. Ashley came in one day to inquire about getting her bike tuned up. She had just moved back to Oakland and been in town for a few months. Jake knew from the first time he saw her walk the short distance from the entrance to the front desk, that he had to somehow be closer to this person. Once they met face to face, Ashley immediately noticed Jake's golden rectangle tattoo and informed him of the upcoming Fibonacci day on 11/23. Ashley brought in her bike the next day for Jake to tune up. Then she brought it back for a bike rack, ordered new tires, then baskets for the rack, handlebar tape, and anything else she could think of as an excuse to come back to the bike shop to see him over the following weeks. Until the day finally came when Ashley picked up her bike for the last time. Now, it is important to note that Ashley shamelessly flirted with Jake during this time and Jake struggled to maintain a professional demeanor, but when he watched her walk out of the shop for the last time, he made the decision to call her and ask her out in his best, most nervous voice. Ashley, surprised by the call as she already had her bicycle, was even more surprised by the question and agreed to a drink across the street the next day which just so happened to be 11/23. Ashley and Jake met for that drink, then went back to Ashley's house which was only a few blocks away. Jake met Ashley's cat Lola while laying on the kitchen floor and it was clear he earned the queen kitty's stamp of approval. Ashley had made plans later that night, and reluctantly said goodbye to Jake. An hour later, Ashley texted Jake saying that she would rather be hanging out with him than at the party and they met up for the second time that night. Then they met up the next night, and the following night, and well, you know the rest.

Jake had made the decision to ask Ashley to marry him earlier that year. He told only a handful of people: his mom, brother, a few best friends, and Ashley's oldest friend Kay. Jake and Kay had, prior to the proposal decision, made plans to visit Ashley at camp that summer. Not being the traditional type, Jake chose a triquetra necklace for the proposal, a sacred geometry symbol with Celtic roots (like Ashley), which represented math, art, love, and so much more to the both of them. Jake and Kay, suffice to say, are city folk and huffed and puffed the 3 miles to camp sweating, panting, and musing about friendships and relationships. Wondering when might be the right time to pop the question, Kay reassured Jake and simply said, “You'll know the right time.” During the late morning of the second day at camp, Jake joined Ashley on a wildflower walk followed by an extended solo time, when everyone splits off and has quiet nature time alone in the meadow. Together they found a gorgeous and secluded place, and Ashley turned to see Jake looking awfully nervous. Jake began mumbling and stumbling over words finally saying something like, “Every year I fall more and more in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Jake pulled out the box and opened it, asking Ashley if she would marry him, right before saying, “I should probably get down on one knee!” and dropped to one knee, following his own directions. Ashley, astonished, confidently answered, “F*CK YES!” And did the obvious thing which was to sit on Jake's knee and kiss him.