We had known of each other from a young age. Our parents were friends in college, and our dads even lived together in the AGR house. But it was the November air at an AGR bonfire that stirred something new. We won Bedlam that month, and at the tailgate celebrating our win over OU, Paige asked Jake’s uncle Jay where she could find him. Jay immediately told Jake’s mom, Katie, that there was something there and that Jake had better make a move. Jay was right.
When the Big 12 Championship game against Texas rolled around, a group of AGRs and Thetas headed out to cheer on the Pokes. Jake rode to the game with Paige, her mom and dad, her best friend Corrine, and Tim and Jenny Sydnes. They sat next to each other the entire game, catching up on their weeks - including an especially interesting one for AGR after a certain Longhorn incident. After tough loss to Texas, Jake and Paige rode back to Oklahoma together. Along the way, Paige dropped a few subtle hints that she was available, and Jake asked her to barn dance!
Their first date followed soon after - a round of golf at Lakeside in Stillwater. We continued spending time together, including a Christmas lights outing that Paige’s Theta advisor, Linda, helped plan. We made it official on December 31st!
We dated for a little over a year and a half, finding invisible strings along the way, growing in our Catholic faith, sharing AGR formals and Theta date parties, and taking fun trips. Early on, we spent a summer apart, with Paige in Big Sky working at the Yellowstone Club and Jake back in Oklahoma for his internship. We also spent time with each other’s families, celebrated Paige graduating from OSU and moving to Dallas, and quickly realized we fit into each other’s lives like a cowboy and his hat.
On October 11, 2025, after a surprise coffee walk with my her friend Julia, a scavenger hunt around Stillwater, and trying on far too many Nuuly dresses, Paige arrived at Jake’s grandpa’s house, where he had planned the most beautiful proposal. She said yes! We celebrated with a tailgate surrounded by all of our favorite people and the day was a dream!
Our story may seem like it started in college, but really, it began long ago. We would not be here without our families and God’s divine hand. Our parents were friends in college — our dads were both AGRs. Preston, Paige’s dad, even attended Jake’s initiation. We both have Pistol Petes in our families: Jake’s grandpa, Mitch Dobson, was Pete #12, and Preston Williams, Paige’s dad, was Pete #59. We are proud to be the third generation AGR/Theta marriage in Jake’s family. We are so thankful to have each of you in our lives and can’t wait to celebrate with you as we start our forever. We are forever grateful for the role each of you has played in our journey. See you on the dance floor!