After hitting it off on Bumble chatting about their mutual love for dogs, coffee and beach sunsets, Kirsten and Jake decided to go on their first date walking around New Haven with Jake's dog (& first true love), Holly. Minutes before Kirsten was about to go meet Jake, the sky opened up into a heavy downpour, nearly squashing their plans. Kirsten and Jake were both determined to make the date happen anyway! The rain eventually cleared up and Kirsten and Jake went out for a muggy, mid-summer walk with Holly and then a perfect cup of coffee at Donut Crazy (or "Crazy Donut", depending on who you ask). The spot would quickly become a favorite weekend spot for the two! The next day, Jake texted Kirsten saying “I know we just hung out yesterday, but … are you busy tonight?” The following weeks were full of trips to the beach, walks with Holly, and exploring the New Haven food and bar scene! Kirsten and Jake especially loved duking it out in Tetris or PacMan at Barcade. Kirsten and Jake have bonded over their shared love for their dogs Holly and Sammy. They've enjoyed lots of long walks around New Haven, board games that challenge their love for each other in the best way possible, and spending time with friends and family, and (of course) escaping to the Cape!

Kirsten and Jake were on a trip visiting Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (along with brother and sis-in-law of the Bride, Luke and Carol). They were about mid-way through their trip, in Yellowstone National Park, and they had just spent the day visiting some geyser basins, including Old Faithful Geyser and Giantess Geyser (which happened to erupt moments before the group arrived to the geyser basin that morning, with it's last eruption being nearly 7 years prior - it was a sight to see!). Later that afternoon, after visiting Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring, the group made their way onto hiking to their final destination of the day: Fairy Falls (an amazing, awesome, perfect 200 foot waterfall!) At the base of the falls, Jake got down on one knee and asked Kirsten to marry him. This was quickly followed by Kirsten leaning in and demanding "is that real?!?" and then, once she realized it was, snatching the ring from Jake's hand before he could place it on her finger (in typical Kirsten fashion). The moment was perfect and special (and captured on about 5 different devices thanks to Luke and Carol!)

Kirsten and Jake are excited to be getting married on Sunday, September 5th, 2021 in Cape Cod!