The first time we met each other was a blind date-- perhaps the most successful blind date in history -- when we were sophomores in high school. A mutual friend introduced us, and the first time we met was nerve wracking, because we did not know hardly anything about the other person. Although in the beginning things were awkward and clunky at times, everything about the way the other acted made us smile; that's probably what made us continue to try and see each other despite living far away for that time in our lives. Our first official date was to the movies with the same couple who had helped bring us together-- at the time, we both considered what a long distance relationship was and if we could make it work. Jake was hesitant because he did not want to put someone he cared about into that situation of a pushing and pulling, back and forth type of romance-- but Becca, always courageous, was the one who decided to take the plunge. After that, the next seven years is history. 

The first date

The proposal

Jacob: The proposal happened over the course of several days, and it nearly came undone more than once. I found the perfect spot to propose at, quiet, out of the way and private-- the overlook at Trail of Tears state park, overlooking the river that ran parallel to our own story together. I did not want to make it obvious or easy to read, so I tried to mask the proposal behind valentines day; hopefully, anything I did could be chalked up to the holiday and not the big question. I told Becca that we were planning to go out to see a meteorite shower on the 13th, giving myself time to put the plans in motion and get the ring. It would have gone off without a hitch had her very scientifically minded sorority sisters informed her that no meteor showers were in this area of the galaxy. Once I explained to them what was going on, I could only wait and get more and more nervous for the big event, concerned someone would spoil the surprise. It almost happened, too-- another sorority sister was proposed to the same night, and when I heard people shouting about it through the halls I thought my goose was cooked. I finally managed to get away from campus with Becca and take the 20 minute drive to the look out. Unfortunately, when I get nervous, I begin to get chatty-- Becca says I talked for nearly the entire 20 minutes non stop. When we finally got there, I brought out an old oil lantern and a box with 'meteor watching binoculars'-- a box that actually held a bundle of pictures to distract her for when I pulled the ring out. It would have been much more romantic if the lantern had managed to stay lit for more than 5 minutes, but it did not-- still, she never let anything small bring her down. She did not expect it to be perfect but wanted it to be fun-- and between her looking up into space for the shooting stars that would only come after the proposal and the quips and thoughts she had about the many memories in the box, I realized it was not a movie's proposal-- no one had applauded when she said yes, and no fireworks went off, no photo was taken of the moment. It was private, intimate, something for just the two of us out in the great big world; I wouldn't ever have it any other way.

Rebecca: (I am not good with words but here I go) I always knew that our engagement would happen somewhere outside considering we both love the outdoors. From the start I knew something was up, not only because of my friends hinting to the fact that there was no meteor shower but because I had barely seen Jacob the entire week. He pulled excuse after excuse not to see me and we were planning to go away together that following weekend. So trying to plan a trip was almost impossible. I remember getting into the car and Jacob asking me a thousand questions. How’s my friends? Did I have a good day? Did anything interesting happen? How was dinner? Was I excited for the weekend? Did I have my stuff packed yet? Was I able to go check up on our cat? And the list could just kept going. Now this might be normal for some relationships but Jacob and I had reached the point in our relationship (like 5 years ago) where we didn’t have to constantly talk but just be together. So with every question he asked I couldn’t help but giggle on the inside. Then we hit the winding road and Jacob was driving a little faster than I would prefer. I remember telling Jacob to slow down and a look of pure panic came across his face because I was opening the window to get fresh air. Needless to say Jacob slowed down quite a bit. When we got to the end of the road it was pitch black and I could not see anything. Jacob grabbed the lantern from the back and came around the car to open my door. As we walked up to the overlook Jacob let me lead the way so he could hide the book bag of stuff he was carrying along. But once he handed me the wooden box with this amazing pattern burnt into it I knew this was the night. I opened the box and there sat 30-40 photos of us and the many special moments in our relationship. When I turned around there was Jacob on one knee with this gorgeous ring. Before he could even ask I screamed “YES!” and he replied “I haven’t even asked you yet”. It was no surprise that I was overjoyed and ready to start this amazing journey of life with him.