Jake moved back from Denver to Upstate NY in April 2018. He drove down to Manhattan that first weekend home and Emily was living in Manhattan at the time. Through mutual friends (shoutout Julie & Dave) we both ended up at the bar Sessions 73. Within a few minutes of arriving Emily spotted Jake walking from the back bar holding several beer bottles between his fingers with the biggest smile on his face, dancing and making friends with everyone he passed by. His energy was radiating. At that moment everyone else faded away and Emily knew this one was special! Pretty soon after Jake started coming down to the city every weekend. He would leave work early on Friday and stay until Monday morning at 5am. For two years we spent as many weekends as we could together - which ended up being about 90 of 100 weekends (all thanks to Jake always driving and never complaining!) Emily had plans to eventually move Upstate but Covid hit and things accelerated. She drove up with her maid-of-honor Victoria to spend a weekend with their boyfriends - Jake and Matt. A week passed, and another, then a month, and another. After quarantining in Jake’s small apartment for 4 months, we moved to Saratoga Springs - just a 2 blocks from our Toga Fam (Victoria & Matt). Things got tough when Jake’s Grandpa and best friend suddenly passed away in November 2020. Life changed fast but Emily was by Jake’s side for every up and down, every high and low. At this point Jake knew he was ready to propose. Knowing how close Emily is to her family he made sure to include them in his plans. Jake asked her Dad & Mom for their blessing and the three of them shared many hugs and happy tears. He also asked her two brothers, sister-in-law and niece for their blessing as well. This past December we had plans to spend the night up at Turning Stone with Jake’s family. Emily thought it was going to be a low-key, rest and relaxation weekend. Jake can’t keep anything from Emily so she was completely surprised when he got down on one knee and proposed. She then saw her younger brother Adam snapping photos and the rest of her family surprised her as well. We could also feel Jake Grandpa’s presence here since Turning Stone had always been a special place to their family, which made it all the more meaningful. Now we’re ready for our next chapter in life and we can’t wait to say “I do” with all of you!