We met Thursday, June 20th, 2024. Imani was attending a going away party for a mutual friend at the Disarufino household. When Imani got there, she knocked on the front door and Jake answered. Immediately Imani’s eyes drifted to Jake’s left hand where she thought she saw Jake’s grandpa's ring on his ring finger. Later that night, Jake had his sister Izzy, who was friends with Imani, introduce the two of them. Imani was hoping and quickly realized that Jake was not married. While we were all eating, Jake’s nephew Carter was taking Polaroids of people. Jake (creepily 😉) took a picture with his nephew right in front of Imani so that he would have a picture of her.

Both Jake and Imani were trying to get people out into the pool. Nobody, except Hailey, Jake’s niece, wanted to swim, but that was fine with us. We finally got out to the pool and started talking, instantly hitting it off. We talked about many things while Jake was showing off his backflip and trying to teach Imani how to do one. The night ended with a quiet bonfire where Jake craftily sat himself next to Imani and tried to come up with things to say to keep the conversation going. We concluded the night with a hug and a “See you Saturday at City Hope!” and went on our way.

Saturday morning Imani was running a little late to City Hope. Jake had borrowed Imani’s friend's phone to text her where to part and where to go when she arrived. He met her at the back, introduced her to his friend then got straight to volunteering. After City Hope, Imani and her friend Martina were going to In-N-Out for lunch. Jake asked to go with and Imani was praying that Martina would say yes. She did and so Jake and his friend Kevin met Imani and Martina there. Imani and Jake talked the whole time at lunch. We then all decided to go back to the Disarufino household to swim. In the pool, Jake and Imani continued to talk and talk and talk. Jake invited Imani and Martina to stay and watch a movie that his parents had just rented. Imani said yes, but Martina was too tired so Imani left for a little to drop Martina off and go back and feed the dog she was dog-sitting. It all took a little longer than Imani had expected, so she asked Martina for Jake’s number “soley” for the purpose of letting Jake know she was running late. He said that was alright and asked if she liked orange chicken. When Imani arrived back at the house, we started the movie and Jake was so busy serving Imani the whole night that he never even sat down. That impressed Imani. After that day both Jake and Imani were sold on each other and wanted to continue to get to know each other.

It just so happened that this Sunday after Jake and Imani met, Imani was going to the first service at Christ Church, Jake’s church, with her friend Martina. Imani’s friend Martina had been staying with Jake’s sister Izzy and her family, so she went to church with them. Martina had been wanting to try out Imani’s church so Imani went to Christ church’s first service with the intent to go to Pellas second service with Martina. Jake texted Imani instructions on where to park and let her know that he had saved her a seat. When Imani arrived Jake was standing in the lobby waiting to give Imani and hug. After service, Jake introduced Imani to some of his friends. At this time Matina asked Jake and his friends if they would like to join her and Imani at Pella. They said yes so we all went back to Izzy’s house for a quick bite to eat and then left for church. After church, Jake had to run home to help with some landscaping. Sunday night Imani was bold and asked Jake if he would drive back to MN with her. Jake, being the man above reproach that he is, politely declined as it would not have been a wise decision. We did decide, however, to grab coffee, the next day to talk more.

Imani was giddy all day and got off work early so that she and Jake would have more time together at the coffee shop. Jake was there working on his devotional when Imani arrived. He stood up to hug her, and they sat and began to talk and talk and talk all the 3 hours that they had. During this time Jake admitted his feelings for Imani and explained to her that he wanted to pursue her. Imani was over the moon excited. Jake left to go to class and Imani went back home to gush to her mom and friends about her excitement.

A few days had passed which included Jake and Imani texting back and forth and Jake coming to Imani’s going away party and meeting all of her friends. Thursday night Jake came over and he and Imani talked all night. Imani cooked dinner for them both and the night ended with Jake asking Imani to be his girlfriend! Imani said yes and Jake was so excited that he forgot his shoes when he left! When Imani closed the door after Jake, she ran around happy dancing and giggling. She did not keep it cool but texted like 15 people that she had a boyfriend.

Jake proposed on December 1st, 2024. The day started at church. After church, Jake took Imani to the restaurant Postinos, where they had their first date. After that, we drove to the McDowell Mountain Preserve, the same place where Jake’s dad proposed to his mom. We walked the trails for a while then Jake got down on his knee and popped the question. Imani, of course, said yes. We both hugged and cried and thanked the Lord! We then drove back to his parent’s house where friends and family were gathered to celebrate.