If you don't know their story, it's pretty ridiculous.

Jake and Katie had known of each other pretty much their entire lives. Their parents had been friends for a very long time. However, their lives never really crossed paths until 2006ish. Jake and Katie were both traveling with the Marshall High School Ag. Department showing cattle. Their relationship didn't start out as romantic. In fact, their initial interactions consisted mostly of Jake picking on her in various ways. In fact, Katie vividly remembers Jake and Josh throwing her in a dumpster at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. Jake claims it never happened.

Fast forward, to fall 2008.

Jake asks Katie to homecoming. She was shocked and anxiously agreed. They continued to "go steady" with each other for the next year and a half. Jake had graduated and decided to go to the farthest corner of the Earth to attend college. Katie was still in high school. They (Jake) decided to end the relationship. Jake would be in Connecticut for the next 3 years and then who knows where after that. Katie was dead set on Texas A&M and would not be convinced to go anywhere else. Ending their relationship was for the best. Jake wasn't wrong. They were headed in two different directions and it was time to let go of high school sweethearts.

Ha!

Fast forward to April 2015.

Jake and Katie had not uttered a single word to each other nor seen each other in 5 years. Jake had moved back to Marshall from Alaska. Katie was in Marshall, away from college participating in a research internship. They reconnected and Jake asked her on a date, AGAIN. It seemed impossible that after all this time they would still be compatible. They were two totally different people and the likelihood that it would turn out successful was slim. However, Katie (20 years old) still ran around the house in excitement when Jake asked her to go to Monjuni's for their second first date.

The day of the date was STRESSFUL. Katie almost could not believe it was actually happening. She even considered it to be some sort of April Fool's joke, Jake thought he was going to be stood up. She got ready gave herself a pep talk, that didn't really help calm her nerves. Jake decided to wear a denim colored shirt with the same denim colored blue jeans (Clearly he was stressed too). Their second first date was awkward. But it wasn't too awkward because they saw each other every single day after that until Katie moved back to College Station in August.

They traveled every weekend during Katie's senior year at A&M. Katie was planning on going to veterinary school and that brought on a new possibility of a long distance relationship. Jake had decided by Thanksgiving he wasn't going down that road again, and that he would go wherever she wound up (Awwwwww!).

Fast forward to March 2016

It was settled. Jake and Katie were moving to Mississippi. Together. Katie bought a house and they moved to Starkville in June 2016. What was Jake doing? Left his job. Left his family. And left Josh with the lease. Yikes.

Jake got a job and Katie went to class. They hosted football parties in the fall and went fishing in the spring. They renovated their house. Made fantastic friends. And visited home as much as they could. However, there was still a big hill to climb in Katie's second year of Vet School. It wasn't easy. Jake got really good at cooking dinner (he was already pretty good) and handling school-induced meltdowns.

Fast Forward to December 2017

One of their (Katie's) favorite things to do, is plan trips. Sadly Jake and Katie, would separated that Christmas but decided to make-up for it with a New Year's Eve trip to Nashville, Tennessee. The stress of school and work was the last things they were worried about. In fact, Jake had something far more important weighing on his mind.

Have you ever heard of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge? Well it has a beautiful view of the Nashville skyline at night, and it's pretty romantic. Just before dinner, Jake took Katie to walk over the bridge and take pictures of the city. Jake absolutely loves bridges so Katie agreed to his request. The only problem was it was about 8 degrees outside. As they were looking around, peering over the ledge at the frozen river below. Jake dropped to one knee and asked Katie to marry him! SHE SAID YES! The ring was beautiful. The moment was perfect.

Fast Forward to Present Day

Wedding planning dominates most conversations and most trips home for them. Jake didn't get to go cake tasting and he doesn't let anyone forget it. Jake and Katie are so excited to begin their lives together as husband and wife.

They sincerely hope to see all of you in Hallsville, Texas on May 4th, 2019, Feel Free to RSVP for yourself and members of your party through this website.

Bring your dancing shoes!

Photos