Jaime and Jake's story began in Kearney, Nebraska. They had always known of each other through fraternity and sorority life, but had never officially connected. One summer night, Jaime went to The Big Apple with a group of friends. Jake was already there with a different friend group, but the groups decided to join together at a table.
... A table where the only open seat left for Jaime was right next to Jake.
Jaime and Jake got to chatting, but nothing really came of it - until a few weeks later when Jaime messaged Jake to invite him to a social gathering - with strong influence from a mutual friend, Gabe.
Later that evening, Jake gave Jaime a ride home. A few days later, Jake asked Jaime on an official date to Cunningham's on the Lake.
After a few months of dates and spending time together, Jake asked Jaime to be his girlfriend - the day after her 21st birthday. Needless to say, Jaime was not with-it enough to realize the meaning of Jake's romantic question.
Finally, after another failed attempt (and some not so subtle meddling from friends), Jaime accepted Jake's proposition to become official. Third times a charm!
Jaime and Jake endured 2 years of long distance while Jaime finished earning her degree in Kearney, Nebraska and Jake began his teaching career in Sargent, Nebraska. Jaime and Jake ventured to Alaska together for a summer and eventually bought a house together in Kearney.
After settling in to their new life together in Kearney, they got Koda Mae - a yellow lab previously loved by Nicki and Luke, Jake's mom and brother. Finally, Jaime decided what type of engagement ring she wanted and the ball was in Jake's court. (If you know Jaime, you know how picky she is and it should be no surprise that she picked out her own ring...) After Jake had to ask Jaime to he his girlfriend three times, karma was now laughing at Jaime as she could not WAIT for Jake to propose. Jaime asked Jake when he was going to propose every day, multiple times a day.
Jaime's parents, Bob and Jaci, came to Kearney for the weekend to help install new insulation in the attic of Jaime and Jake's Kearney home. Friends, Garrett and Katie, had planned a "double date" to see the Christmas lights at Yanney Park later that evening. Mere hours before the "double date," Jake stepped through the ceiling of their one and only bathroom. Jaime tried to convince Jake to called Garrett and Katie to reschedule the double date considering the entire bathroom was covered in saw dust, insulation pieces, and chunks of drywall. Of course, Jake knew what the evening entailed and wouldn't allow Jaime's stubborn self to back out.
Jake asked Jaime to marry him at the Yanney Park Christmas Lights festival with close friends and family cheering them on. Promptly to which all Jaime could do was vigorously stick her hand out and shake her head 'yes' as she began happy crying.
The Future Zimbelman's are ecstatic to begin their happily ever after with you on July 27, 2024!