Jake and I had a mutual friend (our Best Man Bobby) for years and years but we had never met, or spoken. We existed in two different realities at different points in our lives. One night, I made a last minute decision to grab a bite at Denny's with Bobby while Jake was in town, and the spark was almost instant. At the time, Jake was still stationed in Afghanistan for work, so it was a few months before we began chatting. We ended up talking for 2 months non-stop on Facebook Messenger. By the time we had our first date when Jake was back state-side, it was undeniable how magnetic we were. I was already head over heels. Not long after that we had to make a very difficult decision, end the budding romance, or be a long distance couple because Jake had taken a job in Virginia for the foreseeable future. I think we all know what choice we made...and although the journey was painful and required the most incredible strength and trust, we made it. Here we are now, on the same side of the country and starting our lives together. End mushy love story.