We're getting married!

Jacob and Taylor’s story began with what was supposed to be a simple first date at Wise Bird Cidery in Lexington. The plan? A drink and a game of Battleship—just in case either of them needed an easy exit. Instead, they spent six hours talking nonstop, completely ignoring the game. The night went so well, they extended it with a stop at Goodfellas for pizza, laughing about how their "low-pressure" date had turned into a mini marathon. Clearly, this was no ordinary first date. Fast forward a month, Jacob decided to make it official during a visit to Cumberland Falls to see the moonbow, a rare nighttime rainbow. That evening, Jacob asked Taylor to be his girlfriend. It felt like the natural next step for something they both already knew was special. The first year of their relationship was a whirlwind of shared interests, adventures, and inside jokes. Jacob and Taylor packed their calendar with four concerts, two Reds games, two trips to Top Golf, Keeneland, and Churchill Downs. They explored North Carolina, hiked the trails of Red River Gorge, and road-tripped to Nashville. They also tackled more hikes than Jacob thought necessary, thanks to Taylor’s love for the outdoors but he took it in stride (most of the time). They bonded over their shared love of bourbon—hence the countless distillery tours—and their mutual love for the Kentucky Wildcats, Taylor’s alma mater. Together, they cheered on the Cats at football and basketball games. For their one-year anniversary, Taylor surprised Jacob with UK football tickets, proving her devotion when she braved 19-degree weather to sit through the game. Jacob knew then (if he hadn’t already) that Taylor was a keeper. Their biggest adventure came on a trip to Las Vegas for Jacob’s older brother’s wedding. Before diving into the buzz of the city, Jacob and Taylor took a breathtaking detour, packing visits to Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Valley of Fire into just under four days. Their final stop was Zion National Park, where Jacob had a surprise planned. He enlisted a photographer to pose as a tourist, capturing the moment when he dropped to one knee and asked Taylor to marry him. Taylor said yes, proving that Jacob has excellent taste—in both fiancées and proposal spots. A year later, Jacob and Taylor are living together in Lexington and still haven’t run out of things to talk about. Whether they’re planning their next big national park adventure, debating who’s the better Mario Kart player (it’s Taylor, but Jacob swears it’s him), or looking into their next distillery tour, they’re the same pair who spent six hours talking on their first date—and they wouldn’t have it any other way.