It all started in the most unexpected place: Grandma Elaine’s kitchen. Jake had added Kristin on Snapchat just the day before, and the next afternoon she found herself sitting at the table with her mom Kiley and Grandma Elaine, chatting about life, love, and everything in between. Kristin mentioned how Jake had reached out to her after Will passed away, and now here he was, popping back into her life again with a simple Snapchat add. That’s when Grandma Elaine, in all her wisdom, chimed in. She told Kristin she had driven past Jake’s house not too long ago and had been wondering who he was spending time with these days. Then she smiled and suggested the message that would change everything: “You should tell him you’ll be cruisin’ Main Street later with your grandma… maybe you’ll see him.” So Kristin took her grandma’s advice and sent the message. And just 11 miles away, Jake was underneath his combine, working on his bean head and talking on the phone with his best friend Cody, when he saw the notification pop up. He was thrilled, not just to hear from her, but that she had reached out first. From that moment on, the two spent the entire Saturday and Sunday messaging nonstop, getting to know each other in a way that just felt easy, natural, and right. And while the sparks were flying between them, a little team was working behind the scenes made up of Grandma Elaine, Kiley, and Carson, making sure she didn’t do anything to “screw this up.” It wasn’t a big cinematic meeting. It was simple, sweet, and guided by the people who love them most. And maybe that’s what makes it so perfect. Because from a Snapchat add, one bold message, and a dusty day working on a combine just 11 miles apart, something truly beautiful began.

Valentine’s Day 2025 is where our proposal story really begins. I was at work and texted Jake, “Happy Valentine’s Day my love. Cheers to our first and forever more to come. You brighten my day, my life and my heart. I love you so much!” His response was one I never saw coming: “I love you more, you are my world. I think we should go walk around Borsheims sometime? ;)” I was totally caught off guard, and instantly so excited. In March, we made a trip to Omaha to look at rings together. We didn’t find what we were looking for at Borsheims, but we ended up at 14 Karat Omaha and found the most perfect ring. The best part is we found it together, and it truly felt like us. Fast forward to July 4th, 2025, the day Jake proposed. I had absolutely no idea it was coming. I had the day off of work, and I went out to the shop to visit him while he was finishing up work for the day. He told me later on that I almost ruined the surprise because he hadn’t had time to hide the ring before I showed up. Of course he played it cool and acted like it was just another normal day. He told me to go get fireworks, and while I was gone, he used that time to hide my ring. When I got back, everything felt completely normal. Jake and I grabbed Tilly and Ruger and decided to take them on a walk around the shop. I truly thought it was just a simple little walk with the dogs. We walked past the shop and stopped near this big dirt pile, and right beside it was Jake’s late Grandpa Fred’s bulldozer. What I didn’t know was that Jake had hidden my ring on that bulldozer. While I was watching Tilly play on the dirt pile, Jake quietly grabbed the ring. Then he got down on one knee. I turned around and just froze. I was in total shock in the best way. I had no clue, and I was so happy I could barely think straight. I said yes right away. It was the most meaningful proposal, everything I had hoped for without even realizing it, was happening in that moment. Jake had the memory of his Grandpa Fred right there with him, and I had my dogs and my favorite person. I truly could not have dreamed up a more perfect proposal.