Jake and I met through his sister, Courtney — who also happens to be my Maid of Honor. For years, he was simply “Courtney’s brother.” We would see each other in passing, talk occasionally, and even call him to be our designated driver on nights out. There was always a familiarity there, but the timing never quite aligned. Life took us in different directions for a while. We both found ourselves in relationships that ultimately weren’t meant for us. But somehow, we always remained connected in small ways — a bus station pickup here, a quick check-in there — never realizing what was quietly growing beneath the surface. After we both became single, Jake reached out. What started as catching up quickly turned into long conversations, FaceTimes that lasted hours, and weekends spent driving back and forth just to see each other. The friendship we had built over the years became something deeper — something steady and intentional. On Valentine’s Day in 2020, Jake surprised me with flowers, chocolates, and a simple question written inside a card: “Will you be my girlfriend?” I still have that card today. From that day on, it was official. We got our first apartment together that following year, adopted our cats Hannibal and Nardo, and created a life rooted in laughter, growth, and partnership. On May 25th, 2024 at Allegheny State Park — a place special to us from one of our early dates — Jake got down on one knee. Between laughter, tears, and a very real hike up a hill, he asked me to marry him. And without hesitation, I said yes. Now we’re so excited to celebrate the next chapter of our story with all of you.