Although Rikki and Jake can’t seem to agree on the exact moment that they met, they do agree that they liked each other right from the start. Jake and Rikki both attended The University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em). The beginning of their relationship included going on frozen yogurt dates on 24th Street and ditching study nights to go bowling at the Texas Union. Throughout their college years, Jake quickly learned that the key to Rikki’s heart was breakfast tacos and Texas football. They attended countless games together, fraternity & sorority formals, tailgates and explored all that Austin has to offer. One night, right around the holiday season, after walking through Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights, Jake asked Rikki to be his girlfriend. She said yes! Shortly after things started to get serious, Rikki got accepted to graduate school in New York City. For two long years, they made frequent trips to see each other. Eventually, Rikki convinced Jake to move to New York, and the two reconnected in the same city. Over the past several years, their love for each other has continued to grow and evolve. They love traveling together, trying new restaurants, and exploring New York City by foot. Most recently, Rikki and Jake added a new addition to their family: their dog, Rainey (naturally named after the famous street in Austin, the city where they met).

From Rikki's perspective, this special Saturday started off like any other. However, unknowingly to her, Jake had something bigger planned. The day before, Jake's family had flown into New York from Texas, and Rikki's family drove into the city from Connecticut. Both sides of the family planned to meet in DUMBO, Brooklyn for brunch after Jake popped the question. Although the day was planned end-to-end, getting Rikki to DUMBO (Brooklyn) was no small feat. You'll have to ask Jake about the details. After using every tactic he could, Jake finally convinced Rikki to make the trip to DUMBO. Hand-in-hand, the two made it to the beautiful waterfront looking out toward the Manhattan skyline. As they stood there together, the two locked eyes for what Jake thinks felt like an eternity. Then, Rikki's smile went from cheek to cheek, and she said "it's happening, isn't it?". Jake's smile matched Rikki's, and he asked her to spend the rest of their lives together. Luckily, she said "Yes!" and made Jake the happiest guy in the world. The newly engaged couple celebrated throughout the remainder of the weekend with their families, and it was absolutely perfect.