Born in Tennessee: Jake loved the Vols, playing soccer, and his beagle, Shawnee.

Born in Michigan but raised in the mountains: Amy loved animals, Barbies, and playing barefoot outside.

We OFFICIALLY met and became friends at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School through marching band (although we knew of each other in elementary and middle school).

We both attended The University of Tennessee (GO VOLS!) and drank together entiiiiirely too much (sorry parents).

After high school, we continued to have a VERY close-knit friend group. After our dear friend, Garrett, passed away, we honored his memory with a road trip across the United States.

After our road trip, we had the travel bug and decided to take our explorations across the pond! We backpacked across 8 countries together (still just friends).

Jake moved to Avon, Colorado to pursue his love of skiing! *this is when Jake realized he had more than friend feelings for Amy*

Amy moved to Nashville to work at the Nashville Zoo as a camp counselor! This is where she started to realize she loved working with kids. *still hard friend-zoning Jake

A few years later, Amy & Jake took ANOTHER road trip across the country to attend our dear, childhood best friend's wedding in Portland, Oregon.

Amy and Jake's younger brother, Joey, hiked to Mt. LeConte together (Jake lives in CO). This is when Amy realizes she *may* be capable of having more than friend feelings for Jake.

Amy flew to Colorado to surprise Jake for his birthday- and to talk about our potential ending of the friend zone.

Jake flew home before COVID hit and shut down the world. We were able to spend allll our free time together and became an "official" couple.

The first of MANY flights to and from Colorado- Jake and Amy long distance dated for over a year. *it was HORRIBLE.

Jake made the move back to Knoxville, TN to live with Amy while she started her teaching career.

Jake proposed to Amy (and Gracie) at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN. He planned the surprise with the enormous help of the bride’s sister, Jennifer (who also surprised Amy by flying home early from Ireland), and the bride’s childhood best friend, Megan (who hid and took photos in the bushes).

Present Day: Amy and Jake live happily in Knoxville with their baby monkey, Gracie and crazy kitten, Beans. We enjoy kayaking on Norris Lake, cheering on the Vols, and staying home in our pjs.