It was summer of 2014 and Jake had just graduated from UWSP. He had pursued a career in teaching, but life happened and took him down a different road. Little did he realize, it would lead him to the person that he would love for the rest of his life. He started his first true job out of college as an in home care provider and who was there to train him? None other than Aubrey. At the time, Aubrey was putting in a crazy amount of hours and the last thing she wanted to do was train the new guy. He talked too much and had too much energy at 6:30 in the morning....but he was attractive..."okay, I'll be nice" she thought. Jake and Aubrey spent several shifts together and got to know each other well. They would talk frequently outside of work and often times go for late night walks. At one point, after much had happened...(dating, breakups, partying, traveling, .....fire alarms......) Jake came over for one of those late night walks and the story began. He never left.

The proposal... Jake was never good at keeping secrets from Aubrey. Any time he tried to surprise her with a birthday present or Christmas present, Aubrey always managed to get it out of him. This was tough. After asking Kevin and Vivian for their blessings Jake started to hunt around for engagement rings by scoping out pictures of rings that Aubrey had sent him over the years. He saved every last one of them, so he could piece together the perfect ring for her. Finally, he found it. He didn't know where to start. Thought after thought of how to propose crossed his mind and finally he realized...keep it simple. Jake started reaching out to the family and planning a Memorial Day weekend get together at the in-laws house. He invited both sets of parents, Aubrey's brother, sister-in-law, and nieces, and the best friends. The most important thing to Aubrey has always been family, Jake knows that. He decided that he wasn't going to be flashy or extravagant. Fast forwarding to Memorial day weekend, the family was sitting on the balcony at Mom and Dads enjoying the beautiful weather. Jake was trying to figure the perfect moment to pop the question, but a plan wasn't coming together. Finally, the moment simply felt right. Ryan brought Emersen inside for a snack. Jake grabbed her and put a shirt on her that said "Just say YES!" She went outside with Jake, her snack and asked Momma for help opening it. While Aubrey was distracted, Jake saw his moment and dropped down to one knee. Aubrey read Emmy's shirt and thought it was a note from the Grandma's....then she turned around and saw Jake. He grabbed her hand and said "you answered Emmy's question, now mine. Aubrey, will you marry me?" She shook excitedly and smiled as Jake had never seen before. She said YES!! Every one laughed, some cried, and all were relieved to no longer have to try to keep a secret from Aubrey!!