SINGLE LIVES Living their single lives, Jake was working hard at getting through his 3rd year of dental school at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Jen was living one hour away in Northern Virginia, working as a post-anesthesia care nurse at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, DC. Let’s fast forward to early 2024. IN THE BEGINNING A lot of dating and a few failed relationships later, both Jen and Jake were weary of dating. Despite being leery of dating apps and the stigma that comes with meeting that way, they each decided to brave being back in the dating pool. Although they had crossed paths via a church congregation, it would take the Mutual dating app to sync them in a common locale, with common interests, like hiking. FIRST DATE In the words of Jake, “I decided to shoot my shot,” and ask Jen on a date. Jen accepted a first date, but she turned out to be a very expensive date. Unbeknownst to Jen there was a problem. No car! Jake had resorted to walking, because his car had become unrepairable. Working on getting a car coincided with their first date. The pressure was on! Jake scrambled to buy a car the weekend before their date. The evening of their first date, Jake drove what should have been a one-hour trip, in two hours of traffic, to Virginia. He showed up on Jen’s doorstep with the ingredients for gingerbread waffles. Gingerbread waffles are a Heath family tradition. The focus on making waffles helped divert the first-date jitters, while they got better acquainted. SECOND DATE Gingerbread waffles were followed by their common interest of hiking. Jen scored points with Jake by showing up with a bottle of diet Mtn Dew for him. They hiked to Maryland High Rock on the Appalachian Trail. At the highest point, and out of breath, they were rewarded for their efforts with beautiful unspoiled views. In addition to the views the highest point rocks are covered in colorful, gratuitous graffiti. Jen and Jake left their mark with their own versions of graffiti; a graffiti tooth and a bumble bee. THIRD DATE As a nurse, it is common for Jen to give dosages of medication. So that is what she did for Jake on their third date – she gave him a healthy dose of laughter. Jen learned that Jake liked the comedian, Nate Bargatze, and bought tickets for them to see his show. ENGAGEMENT Soon there was a first kiss and the whirlwind of falling in love. Then those magical three words: “I love you.” Who said it first? They'll let you guess. Six months later came the proposal outside the white picket fence of Jen’s family home. Why there you may ask? In the words of Jake: “Because it is where the first kiss and the first ‘I love you’ happened, so I thought it fitting to ask Jen to marry me there.” With a few tears, a lot of smiles, and a big hug, Jen said “yes." Jen and Jake sealed their engagement with a kiss standing under a Virginia dogwood tree. Now Jen and Jake are looking forward to less commuting between Baltimore and Northern Virginia, and moving from courtship to marriage in December of this year. JEN “I wasn’t going to settle. Jake was worth the wait. He treats me like a queen. Jake loves me for who I am, and where I am in life. And I give Jake a lot of credit for taking on my quirkiness and meeting my silliness head on.” JAKE “In my wildest dreams I never thought I would find a girl like Jen. She is the best person I’ve ever known. She cares for me in ways that I never knew I needed. And her love is all I need.” JEN & JAKE “Finding one another felt like our souls could rest easy together. We’re not perfect, but we are perfect for each other. We look forward to our temple marriage on the 14th of December 2024, followed by celebrating with family and friends as Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Heath.”