Hope and Jacob met during their freshman year of college. It was a cold Illinois January day, so it’s only fitting that they first crossed paths at the school hot tub! Soon after, they began going on dates and getting to know each other more and more.

Before their first official date, Hope visited two of her high school friends at the University of Cincinnati. While she was there, she told one of them, “I’m going to marry him, or he’ll be the biggest heartbreak of my life.” Thankfully, we all know how that turned out!

Their first date was a double date with friends where they went axe throwing. Hope wasn’t holding back, determined to win! Her friend whispered, “You’re supposed to let him win,” she quickly replied, “I’m never going to LET him win anything!” From that moment, Jacob knew he was in for a wild ride!

Although they met in January, it wasn’t until the following October that they officially started dating. God knew that at that time, Hope needed a friend more than a boyfriend. Jacob entered her life during one of her lowest seasons and became her safe place which is exactly what made her fall in love with him.

Just three days after Jacob asked Hope to be his girlfriend, he gave her an emerald pendant, and told her that one day he was going to marry her. To this day, you’ll never see Hope without her emerald.

A year and a half later, Jacob made good on that promise. At the Franklin Conservatory in Columbus, he got down on one knee and asked Hope to marry him. And now they are so excited to begin the next chapter of their lives together!

H&J

Wedding Day

Ceremony