We met at The Gathering, our young adult Bible study, at Jason and Melissa Hataj's home. Marissa was invited by her cousin (thanks TJ!) and almost immediately had a crush on Jake. That long hair? Amazing musician? Loves the Lord? What wasn't to like?! This was the first picture she secretly took to send to her best friend Lauryn.

After a few months of getting to know each other and becoming friends, Marissa decided to shoot her shot by sliding into Jake's Instagram DM's by responding to a story he shared about snowboarding. After hitting "send", she panicked for two and a half hours until he responded (thank you, Lauryn, for the encouragement here). There was no need to panic... he double texted ;)

It only took a few days of sending each other random Instagram reels and asking how each other's day went... Jake really took the next step and asked for Marissa's number. On Valentine's Day, nonetheless. A few days later he called and asked her out on a date.

For our first date, we met at Parker John's in Sheboygan and walked the entire lakefront. Marissa was casually late to work because it went so well, she lost track of time. Pictured is our second date a couple weeks later at Fork & Tap in Port Washington where Marissa taught Jake how to fold linen napkins.

For our third date, we went to Brisco County and then went to watch Jesus Revolution where we both secretly wanted to hold hands the entire time. It was a few days after this that Jake decided he wanted to make the relationship official and took Marissa on a hike out in Random Lake where he asked her to be his girlfriend. Little did she know he'd propose in this same spot only 7 months later.

Jake told Marissa he loved her for the first time and she was more than thrilled to say it back.

For Marissa's 24th birthday, Jake planned out the most special weekend. In the midst of an amazing weekend, Marissa truly knew in her heart that this man was the one for her.

Ready for forever, Jake happened to pick out the first ring he saw (thanks Kate for helping out!) knowing it was the perfect one for Marissa. He immediately took the ring to both of Marissa's parents for their blessing. Both of which were delighted to say, yes!

Within 24 hours of getting the ring, Jake took Marissa back to the same place he asked her to be his girlfriend. This time, he asked her to be his wife. An answered prayer for them both, Marissa was delighted to say, YES!