Our Story
How did he miss her? For four years at Case Western Reserve University, how many times did they walk past each other on their way to their dorms? How many times were they in the same building? The same Greek life event? The same party? How many times was Jake a foot away from the woman he is going to marry?
Natasha and Jake met in 2016 during their senior year. After spending time together and apart in Cleveland, Ithaca, Madison, Milwaukee, and Ithaca again, they got engaged (finally) on CWRU’s campus, after over 6 years of dating, where it all began.
This is the version of our story that we didn’t tell Natasha’s dad:
On her 21st birthday, Natasha came down the steps like the star of her own movie (as she does); Jake watched, mesmerized, thinking to himself, “There’s no way she’s single.” A few months later he got her phone number, and they started talking and seeing one another. Before they knew it, graduation was here and the two were set to part ways. Natasha was off to Cornell University for grad school, and Jake had accepted a job in Cleveland. Jake promised to visit her in Ithaca and found himself driving through upstate New York autumnal countryside on his way to keep that promise. After a wonderful weekend together, the two realized there was something beautiful beginning to form and life was better together than apart.
Six years long distance. Not for the faint of heart. But that’s what the couple chose, focusing on their careers and education to better themselves. Jake moved to Madison. Natasha graduated and moved to Milwaukee. 70 minutes and 76 miles was all that separated the couple for their time in Wisconsin, where they made some great friends and even better memories. The couple grew together and began to build a life with one another.
However, the distance got a lot farther. 11 hours and 31 minutes, and 775 miles, as it was Jake’s turn at Cornell for grad school. During his time at Cornell, Natasha traveled to Ithaca as often as she could and Jake made the drive down to New Jersey whenever Natasha visited her parents, and always returned with a car full of food. The two frequented Ohio as well for holidays, celebrations, and quality time with Jake’s family. Having been together four years at this point, Jake promised that the two would get engaged as soon as his graduation cap was tossed in the air.
All the while, Jake was planning a surprise proposal with family and friends. Natasha had no idea she was walking into one of the biggest moments of her life. The day went a little something like this:
Natasha
Raised in the suburbs of Central New Jersey, Natasha, known by her loved ones as “Nisha,” is as impressive as she is beautiful. She is deeply passionate about family, culture, career, music, friendships, food, and coffee. Natasha is smart, funny, and has the natural ability to light up any room she enters. One might ask how she manages such a busy professional and avid social life, but she does it well dressed and with grace and ease, never failing to make everyone around her smile.
Jake
Growing up in a small town in southwest Ohio, Jake is a driven, successful individual who thrives in the spotlight. There is truly nobody like Jake. Quite literally the dreamy football and baseball star and hero of a coming-of-age movie, Jake charms everyone around him with his contagious smile, witty sense of humor, and his incredible ability to make every person he encounters feel special. His talent on the field has been matched by his charisma off it, making him a genuinely exceptional, talented person who leaves all those he meets impressed and invigorated.