We met on a dating app and Jacob sent the first like and commented on one of Maureen's photos. We texted back and forth for a couple of weeks and Maureen was getting impatient to be asked on a date. Jacob was stalling asking Maureen out because he had attempted to hike Mt. Bierstadt and ended up with the worst sunburn on his face. He did not want to have a first date with a horrible sunburn and open wounds on his face. Maureen said that she did not care what Jacob's face looked like but cared about his personality and who he was as a person. After Jacob healed, we went on our first date. That first date turned into hours of talking, laughing, and discovering even more about each other than we had online. It was easy, effortless — almost like we’d known each other for much longer. From there, it only grew. What started as a simple message turned into something much more profound — a connection neither of us expected, but both of us were so grateful for.

We had gone to church the morning of September 29th, 2024 and Maureen suspected something was happening that day and flat out asked Jacob if he was going to propose. Jacob played it off and avoided the question. We wanted to go up to Vail, CO to see the fall colors, it was the last day the gondolas were running up the mountain. Once in Vail, we rode the gondola up the mountain. At the top, Jacob was trying to ensure that we did not run into Maureen's brother Daniel, who was waiting for us to take photos. We decided to pick a spot that over looked the fall colors as well as Mount of the Holy Cross, which Jacob hiked in 2023. Maureen sat down to enjoy the view and Jacob began rummaging through his backpack. He put the ring box in his pocket and it was very obvious. Maureen asked what it was and Jacob said that it was his drink and if Maureen wanted one, to which she responded no. Maureen continued to ask Jacob what it was and he asked Maureen to stand. It finally clicked in Maureen's mind about what was to occur next. Jacob got down on one knee and asked Maureen to marry him. Jacob had the biggest smile on his face and Maureen was emotional, shaking and responded YES! Vail was already a special place for Jacob and Maureen, but now it was even more special!