Annamarie and Jake's lives have been intertwined long before they even met, almost as if fate had a plan for them from the very beginning. In the 1980s, Jake's Oma worked with Annamarie's uncle at Johnson & Johnson. In a small world moment, Jake's dad drove off to college in a car that was purchased from Annamarie's uncle, by Jake's Oma. Their families’ paths continued to cross in other ways, with Jake's dad and uncle having friends who worked out at Annamarie's uncle’s gym. As time went on, both families settled in Naperville, Illinois. Annamarie, who grew up on the opposite side of town from Jake, knew of Jake and had a crush on him in middle school—he was the “cool guy” with his longboard, always catching her eye at The Last Fling. Though they lived separate lives, they were always aware of each other through mutual friends throughout middle school and high school. After college, their paths crossed again in 2018 when they reconnected at church. But fate wasn’t done weaving their story just yet—Jake moved to San Francisco for a time, only to return to Chicago less than a year later. Without either knowing, they ended up living in adjacent buildings by the lakefront. One summer afternoon, Annamarie went for a run, and the first person she saw as she left her building was Jake, sitting on a bench with his longboard, just like in the old days. She knew he was back from San Francisco and her heart was happy! It was a full-circle moment that felt like destiny, and from then on, everything fell into place. In 2019, Annamarie and Jake decided to make their relationship official on New Year's Eve. In 2021, they moved in together and welcomed their dog, Winston, into their lives. Then, in 2024, Jake decided to finally put a ring on it by proposing to Annamarie on top of a yacht where she happily said YES! We are beyond excited to share that we'll be tying the knot on September 6, 2025, at the beautiful Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. This special day wouldn't be complete without the love and support of our cherished friends and family. Your presence would mean the world to us, and we hope you can join us to celebrate this joyous occasion. Whether you're traveling near or far, know that we are so grateful for the effort it takes to be with us. We can't wait to create unforgettable memories together! With love, Annamarie & Jake