Nicole & Jake
Our Story
First Meeting
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Jake and Nicole first met in Spring of 2017 through mutual friends, Cole and Camille. One evening, Camille and Nicole made plans to hang out with Cole and his group of friends at Lost Winds brewery. The boys were playing a crowd favorite, 'snappa', up on the mezzanine. It didn't take long for Nicole, with her competitive nature, to call out "next game!" where her and Jake would partner up, for the first time. The night ended memorable after Jake offered to walk Nicole home, claiming his walk home was in the same direction. (Which we later learn was not the case) Jake and Nicole would hang out several more times in the group setting, one being the San Clemente Beer Fest. Nicole made custom snack necklaces for everyone, as a thoughtful gesture, because who wouldn't want convenient snacks while drinking beer all day? Nicole couldn't help but notice that Jake was the one person who opted for no necklace. Jake recalls wearing a fresh new fit that day and was not about to get salty Funyon grease all over it. At this point, Nicole and Jake weren't planning any dates, but they were making impressions on each other.
FIRST DATE
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One summer night in August of 2017, both Jake and Nicole made drunken plans with Cole to go jet skiing out of Dana Point Harbor. Nicole became "one of the boys" that day. Morning beers and poorly planned (but ultimately executed) launch of the jet skis to the water. During the process of hitching up the jet ski trailer, Cole injures his back... But if you ask him, he "pulled his back" (wink-wink, with air quotes), so Jake and Nicole were ultimately cornered into taking the jet skis out alone. Nicole and Jake obliged (I mean, twist my arm, amiright?). It was a perfect So Cal summer day. Jake and Nicole ended up having a great time adventuring the ocean together with periodic swim and beer breaks. It was this day when they got to know each other more personally. Jake officially asked Nicole for her number and out for an official first date. The official first date was dinner at Brio- Irvine Spectrum. Nicole fancied Jake for his kind smile, gentlemanly charm and his surprising sense of humor. Jake was impressed, not only by Nicole's beauty, but shared interests in craft beer, Angels baseball and family. After the date, Jake drove Nicole home, where they shared the first kiss. They continued to date for five months, before officially becoming a couple after an Anaheim Ducks hockey game in January 2018.
THE PROPOSAL
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Fast-forward (well, first flip the tape and then fast-forward) to December 2024. After 7 years of dating, Jake was ready to pop the question. The ring was purchased and general plan was formed. Due to delayed holiday shipping, the ring's expected delivery date was later than planned and expected to arrive ON Christmas Eve. Nicole and Jake had a busy day scheduled with families that day, so the stress started to sink in for Jake. Christmas Eve came around, and with negative 30 minutes until they planned to leave (they were running late), the ring arrived! Literally moments before heading out the door. Jake packed it in his bag, with no exact plan, but knew it was going to play out. Nicole and Jake's first stop was at Nicole's Papa's house in Irvine for some cocktails and appetizers. Once done, the plan was to head back to San Clemente for Christmas Eve dinner at the Smith's. Jake and Nicole finished visiting with Papa, and headed back to San Clemente with Herbert, who started to have gas (bad...like, this dog needs to get outside ASAP)... Since there was time to spare, the couple decided to stop at Trails in south San Clemente, a place they've visited before. Jake escorts Nicole and Herbert out to a familiar viewpoint where he sets the scene and asks Nicole for her hand in marriage. (Obviously the answer was yes because here you are on our website)