Like everything these days, our love story began online.

Callan moved to Upper Sandusky in February 2019 following a job at the local newspaper. Jake, meanwhile, was moving into his second home in Upper Sandusky, after moving from his childhood home in Sycamore a few years before.

We encountered each other before we actually met. In fact, Callan took Jake's picture during the Home For The Holidays 5K event, though she didn't realize at the time. She also recalls a very sweaty guy coming in to the pancake breakfast that followed. It's assumed that this was our "first sight" moment, though it wasn't yet love.

When we met online, we connected by discussing our mutual interest in visiting the Mothman, our favorite movies, and more. While Callan was covering the Hannah's House fundraiser at the Elks, Jake invited her to an impromptu drink at the Elk's bar downstairs after the event. We spent the rest of the evening discussing a number of things that some people wouldn't deign to bring up on a first meeting. But, it was surprisingly comfortable.

Our first "official" date was at the Corner Inn in Upper Sandusky for brunch in February 2020. An argument about Jason Bourne vs. John Wick led to a second date that evening. Jake introduced Callan to his cats and his cousin/roommate Zach. All six of them watched John Wick with the volume at max (to test out their new speaker system) while eating burned popcorn and sitting on half-dead bean bag chairs. This date was, not surprisingly, uncomfortable. However, after the ringing in the ears went away, it turned in to many more dates.

During the pandemic we decided we'd include each other in our bubbles. We spent hours watching the Harry Potter movies, and then discussing the books when Jake bought his own set.

We slowly met each others' families in small and outside gatherings, and we threw our inaugural Margarita Party on Jake's porch that summer along with numerous campfires. We also met the Mothman in all his steely-bunned greatness, and have made the trip two times now! We love going to see the Mothman in West Virginia and have made a habit of singing Country Roads as we cross the bridge into the state (which for our first trip was daily because we stayed at an Ohio hotel across the river!).

One Margarita Party turned into two, and then three, with Halloween parties and a Shrek party along the way. The fourth Margarita Party, in 2023, was where Jake popped the question after a very nervous rendition of karaoke Country Roads sung together in Hawaiian shirts.

What we each found that night we first met at the Elks was a partner to laugh with, a partner to cry with, a partner to sing (off-key) and dance with, a partner to game with, and above all a partner to grow with.

Below you'll find more fun dates and life events that we have enjoyed together. We hope you enjoy reading about these moments as much as we enjoyed living them!

Love,

Callan & Jake