Let's Celebrate!

Like all great modern love stories, ours began with… an app (or two). Jake and Jenna first matched on Bumble and talked for a few weeks, but Jake didn’t make the first move—so that spark quietly faded. Fast-forward a few months to September, and fate (or the algorithm) stepped in. Hinge declared Jake as Jenna’s “Most Compatible” three days in a row. On the third day, Jenna decided to give destiny a nudge and messaged him—again. That message led to their first date at Café NV in Waterford, CT, where they talked for hours over turkey cheddar grilled cheeses (which Jake kindly read off the menu because Jenna—stubbornly—forgot her glasses). What started with a message led to stories, laughter and a relationship that hasn't stopped growing since.

From the very beginning, we quickly became inseparable—bonding over a shared love for cooking, baking, the outdoors, and simply being in each other’s company. Some of our favorite early memories include baking bagels from scratch, going on long walks and hikes, cozy movie nights, and binge-watching Survivor. As our relationship grew, we had the joy of celebrating life’s milestones side by side—Jenna graduating PA school and starting her career, Jake completing his first year of teaching, and making unforgettable memories while traveling to places like Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls, and Hawaii. Every adventure, big or small, has brought us closer—and we can’t wait for all the ones still to come.

On a fall afternoon, we took a walk through Elizabeth Park in West Hartford—a place already special to us, made unforgettable that day. The leaves were just starting to turn and we were enjoying each other's company. As we reached the stone bridge near the pond, Jake paused. With the quiet beauty of the park around us and a hidden photographer nearby, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the easiest "yes" ever. But Jake wasn’t done. He had planned a surprise dinner at Bricco in West Hartford—one of our favorite date night spots—where we celebrated the moment surrounded by candlelight, great food, and so much love. It was the perfect day—simple, thoughtful, and full of meaning.

As anyone who knows us will tell you—when something feels right, we don’t wait. Though we had planned to celebrate with everyone in August 2026, we realized we didn’t want to wait that long to start our forever. So on November 11, 2024, we eloped at sunset in Harkness Park in Waterford, CT. With just our parents by our sides, we exchanged vows in the quiet beauty of the golden light, waves nearby, and a whole lot of love in the air. It was short, simple, and deeply meaningful—exactly what we needed in that moment. Afterward, we celebrated with a cozy dinner, just the two of us—full of smiles, laughter, and the feeling that we were exactly where we were meant to be. Now we can’t wait to celebrate with you in 2026, surrounded by everyone we love.