In December of 2017, Jake was living in the tiny mountain town of Gunnison. Forty miles away as the crow flies, Audrey was living in the tiny mountain town of Aspen. With neither being satisfied with potential local dating prospects, they decided to expand their horizons and try online dating via the dating app, Bumble. Audrey saw Jake's Bumble profile and thought this rugged mountain man looked like someone worth getting to know. A week after texting and one phone conversation, Jake suggested that they meet up in person, for what would be their first date. It began at Bonfire Coffee in Carbondale for a casual lunch. Audrey saw a twinkle in Jake's eye as they continued conversing and laughing. Jake suggested taking his dog Fish for a walk, and the three of them strolled through the streets of Carbondale getting to know one another. After the walk, Jake still wanted to hang out with Audrey, so he joined her at the Marble Distillery to taste some of Hoover's Revenge Whiskey. After that one drink, Jake did not want to be weird or anything, but wanted to keep hanging out with Audrey. Audrey then hesitantly extended an invitation that they head over to her house, knowing her big brother neighbors in uniform would have her back if the date that she was having with the guy she had just met on the internet went sideways. So with a bottle of whiskey, a pizza, and Fish in tow, Audrey and Jake headed back to her home in Aspen.... Where their first date never ended and continues to this day. During their first date, the incredible bond that connected Audrey and Jake was formed. They would continue to date long distance for the next three years, driving thousands of miles and adventuring everywhere in between. They settled in at home together in Montezuma, CO during the winter of 2020 with Fish, Scrawny, and recently adopted, Birdy.