We are best friends. We met almost six years ago, just when the world was about to change with the pandemic. We both decided to give online dating one last shot. Being both in our later thirties, we were starting to think finding love was not in the cards for either of us. Covid-19, that life changing event, brought us closer together in a rapid fashion. Many of our dates were spent staying in and talking while enjoying Jake’s cooking. Jake will tell you he knew Jessica was the one when his schnauzer puppy, Oscar, would sit staring at the door, and just cry every time Jessica left and went home after a date. We dated for a year and a half before we moved in together. We got engaged a few months later. Married in March of 2022. The week we got married is the week we sold a house and moved. We are no strangers to hard work or change.

Jake and I were raised in completely different household environments and experienced very different childhoods. Somehow, we were raised with the same beliefs and values, one being family is most important. Jake was raised with multiple step-fathers, while his real father was a weekly phone call away and yearly visits at Christmas. He was raised with an older and younger sister, plus two step siblings who came later in his life. Jessica was raised by parents who have been happily married for over forty years. She was raised with no siblings. Instead, she spent countless hours with her grandmother and grandfather. Jake and I have a few close friends, who we see here and there, however, most of our time is spent with family or at family functions.

Jake and I purchased our home almost four years ago from Jake’s mom and step-dad. It’s a three bedroom, two bath home with a detached garage and a bonus room. It sits almost at the end of a road, surrounded by woods right in the middle of town, so it is very peaceful and quiet. Next to us, Jake’s mom and step-dad are currently building their forever home. On the other side of them, Jake’s dad has his home. We share our home with four dogs; a mutt who is ten, Isaac, a funny little schnauzer who is five, Oscar, and schnauzer brothers, who are two, Baxter and Morris. We do not ever see a time where our home will not have dogs. We both love their loyalty, companionship, and silliness.

Jake is the thinker and planner. He has the ability to see all the steps it will take to see a project to completion. He is also more than kind. Having experienced some hardships in his earlier years, he is generous to a fault, giving the shirt off his back without a second thought. Jessica would describe him as very smart and analytical. Jessica is the motivator and behind the scenes organizer. She keeps the ship afloat. She is shy and quiet, but willing to do anything to help a friend or family member. Jake would describe her as resolute and steadfast. Our differing strengths allow us to keep everything in balance.