Many of you have known us long enough to have been there from the very beginning or to have heard the story along the way. But if you are fuzzy on the details, here's how it went... We met while attending Bel Air United Methodist Church during confirmation and bible study. Our first unofficial date was actually during a church retreat in Ocean City, MD where we made the worst brownies you've ever tasted, played miniature golf, and went to 5 Guys all with our third wheel, Brian. Gracie even texted her mom during that weekend to say "I think I like this boy, Jake!" A few weeks later, Jake asked Gracie on a date! Emily and Carly were very helpful (sort of) in helping Gracie choose what she'd wear on her first date. Michael, was very helpful in the car telling Mr. John where the turn was (neither of us could drive yet). We eventually made it to the theatre, just the two of us, holding hands and giggling. A few weeks after that, on a very lucky St. Patrick's Day, we made it official. We were now "boyfriend and girlfriend". We went to different high schools and different colleges; Gracie, determined to become a veterinarian. And Jake, determined to convince friends his girlfriend was real, she just went to another school. With our ironclad commitment to "just see where this thing goes" we survived college and set off on our first real adventure. Jake's first career opportunity meant packing up & moving across the country to Tacoma, WA. Gracie agreed to the move and we set off for our next chapter in the PNW, with our first born, Squirt the turtle. Soon, the universe smiled upon us and we were blessed with the arrival of our second child. A rescue mutt named Toast. After COVID we moved back home to Maryland. Gracie's dream got closer when she got into Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St Kitts & Nevis. We were determined to defy the odds and make it through long distance; I mean, 4 years isn't really that long, right? Gracie, determined to become a veterinarian. And Jake, determined to convince friends his girlfriend was real, she just went to another school, in another country. Gracie worked hard, stayed focused and achieved her dream of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. All with the help of her long distance study buddy, Jake and their newest precious gift from above, a gutter cat named Theodore. "Seeing where this thing goes" has taken us to different coasts & different countries but it always brought us back to each other. It's given us a beautiful family & amazing friends. We've been there for each other for over half of our lives, and we're excited and looking forward to being there for the rest.