Semi-formal attire Men- sport coat, button down shirt, no jeans, no polo shirts. Women- you always look gorgeous!

We had wanted to do a weekend getaway and so Jake planned a whole weekend on Whidbey Island. I got home from work and we had to catch the ferry. Jake suggested I wear a dress and I said why would I wear a dress to hike (we had dinner afterwards). I had no idea. We got to Whidbey Island and hiked Eby's Landing. I had seen a drone flying overhead and didn't think anything of it because it is just such a beautiful sight. As we were hiking we got to my favorite overlook and I looked back and he was on one knee. I was speechless and pretty sure i fainted for a few seconds. His bosses wife was there taking pictures and his bosses nephew took drone footage of the whole thing. I was stunned to find out that he had planned this before I even moved to Washington. It was the perfect day right as the sun was setting.

I became Jakes patient in August/September of 2022 after a bad back injury. I had reached out on social media, just venting when an old high school classmate messaged me and suggested I see either Jake or one of the other docs. I was seeing Jake 2x a week for a while and started evolving a friendly relationship. We frequently discussed our weekly and weekend plans, discovering common interests such as faith, sports, and the value of spending quality time with family and friends. During the course of my treatment, Jake apparently playfully nicknamed me "Smokeshow Sam" as an affectionate joke around the office, referencing my appearance. I couldn't stop laughing when I found that out later on. I later found out Jake took a new job in Seattle. Obviously I was devastated to find out that Jake was leaving for Seattle, but was so proud that he was reaching for his dreams. I was discharged as his patient on December 13th, the day before his last day. Like many other patients, I brought a gift and a card for Jakes last day. After I left the office for the last time, Jake opened my gift and read the note. Jake sent me a brief thank-you message for the gift. Then, on December 21st, as Jake was preparing to depart for Seattle and saying farewell to friends and family, I texted him asking when he was leaving for WA. He replied, "I leave on Monday! Why, what's up?" I naturally responded, "Well, not to be awkward, but I totally am. If you'd like to grab coffee or just meet up before you leave, I would not be opposed to that..." We both had busy schedules with friends and Christmas plans, the only available time Jake had was that night after teaching a seminar at his friends new gym. So, Jake asked if I would be available to meet for a glass of wine around 8pm after he finished teaching. Of course I was freaking out and agreed to meet up that night. At that time, Jake was somewhat perplexed, uncertain whether this was a date or simply a friendly meeting. Upon arriving at Vintage 38, where we had agreed to meet, Jake saw me and had a strong feeling it was indeed a date. We settled in, ordered our drinks, and engaged in small talk until Jake mustered the courage to ask, "Okay, what are we doing here?" I told him that I had apparently developed feelings over the last few months and couldn't see him go without meeting up one last time. He said "Sam, we are on the same page." I almost fainted; I was not expecting that at all. After a couple of glasses of wine, a stroll around downtown Greendale, and a visit to Ray and Dot's, we discovered we had a lot in common. I think that's when we both knew this was something very special and indescribable to people. Jake spontaneously bought me a plane ticket to Seattle that night so that in 6 weeks we could see each other again. We just couldn't leave each other and stayed out until 2:30 am talking. We somehow managed to find time to see each other every day over Christmas until Jake left for Seattle on Monday. It was an emotional rollercoaster, watching the man of my dreams drive away, really not knowing if we were ever going to see each other again. However, we Facetimed everyday and flew back and forth each month to see each other. I really don't ever want to get on another plane without Jake because leaving him after those weekends, every month was the hardest thing. Throughout everything, our shared motto is "Godspeed," and we firmly believed that God had orchestrated our relationship and continues to nurture it every day. Today, both of us live in Kirkland Washington with my dog Jax, cherishing everyday together. We firmly believe that God is good and everything happens in his great timing.