They first met in the parking lot of Tacos 4 Life in April 2022. For anyone who knows Jake, it's no surprise that Tacos 4 Life is one of his favorite restaurants, making it the perfect spot for their paths to cross. It was one of those moments where they both instantly felt a spark. Though they joked that they weren’t looking for anything serious at the time, little did they know, that decision was completely out of their hands.

Shortly after meeting, everything began to fall into place. Their first official date took place at Freddy’s, where they spent hours getting to know each other over burgers and ice cream. It felt so natural, as if they had known each other for much longer. From that moment on, they began building a collection of memories, big and small.

One of their favorite things to do together is attend concerts. Their first concert was Peacemaker in 2022, and from that moment, attending at least one concert each year became a cherished tradition. They kept this tradition alive, seeing some amazing shows along the way.

Celebrating holidays together is another highlight, and every year, they look forward to spending those special times with their families. But one of the most significant chapters in their story began in November 2023, when Jake left for the Air Force. He began basic training that month and graduated in January 2024. From there, they faced a long stretch of long-distance as he completed his training.

From January to October, she traveled to see Jake every month. Between January and May, she made trips to Texas, and from May to October, she traveled to New York. There wasn’t a single month they didn’t see each other, no matter how far apart they were. During this time, they grew even closer, overcoming challenges and celebrating the milestones that came their way. They also traveled to many new places, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

One of the most memorable moments was their engagement story. In October, during her trip to New York to see Jake, they decided to visit a restaurant they had fallen in love with on one of her earlier trips—Pastabilites. They had always said they’d return there together before he came home, and this time, Jake had made reservations. She had no idea what was in store.

As they sat across from each other at dinner, holding hands, Jake seemed unusually nervous. She asked, "Are you okay?" to which he replied, "I want you to know how much I love you." Then, he stood up, got down on one knee, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. To her surprise, his entire flight crew from training had gathered with cameras in hand, capturing the moment. Tears began to flow, and the room erupted in cheers and applause. It was a night they would never forget.

The next day, they went to Niagara Falls—one of the most breathtaking places they had ever seen. They sat at the base of the falls, letting the mist hit them and taking in the sight of the waterfall and the rainbow for over an hour. They were in awe of the life they were building together, and in that moment, they both realized just how incredibly lucky they were.

They are so grateful for the lessons they’ve learned and the love they’ve shared along the way. Their journey together has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless beautiful moments. Life is undeniably better when they’re together. Here’s to forever!