Our countdown to our forever begins. We cannot wait to celebrate with all of you! With much love Jake and Mariya

Our story began Valentines Day weekend 2016, in Rocklin, Ca. Our story isn’t one where we knew we immediately found the one, but rather of opposites attracting and slowly becoming each others forever. It’s always weird to admit how we met. Mariya had just transferred as a new manager to the Chevy’s in Rocklin, where Jacob had been slinging beans while he finished his degree at William Jessup University. We only worked together for 3 months, and had really only spoken about work and maybe a handful of personal facts. Mariya was surprised and a bit speechless when on her last day Jacob asked for her number. Mariya found Jacob to be extremely charming and handsome, but with her being a single mother to 1.5 year old Ellah, she was a little confused in what seemed to be a newfound interest. Unbeknownst to her Jacob had wanted to ask her previously, but she had stated that she didn’t hang out with her employees, so he took the opportunity when she was no longer going to be his boss. After exchanging numbers a week had passed, and Mariya had not yet received a text or call from Jacob. So she text him first. We text non-stop talking and learning about each other. Such as the normal where are you from? Mariya from Santa Cruz and other places as her family moved around a bit, and Jacob from Rocklin, and had lived in Colorado until he was 9. They talked about their interests; Mariya loved reading, and being a mom. Jacob loved sports, (mostly the Raiders) and loved spending time with his Family. After a week of this we decided to finally meet up. We met at Dave and Busters and stayed up talking until 3am. We spent the next few weeks meeting up together; hanging out causally and introducing each other to each others friend groups. Soon it was time to introduce someone very important to Jacob and Mariya’s budding relationship. It was a beautiful sunny day so Jacob, Mariya, and Ellah went to the Sacramento Zoo. Mariya was nervous about how Jacob and Ellah would interact. We all enjoyed strolling around, and when we arrived at the monkeys Ellah was tired of walking and didn’t want to sit in her stroller. So without hesitation Jacob placed Ellah on his shoulders and started making monkey noises. Mariya’s nervousness quickly went away watching them together, as they were so comfortable and natural together. We three became inseparable and began intertwining our lives even more. We were always at each others homes, or out doing whatever we could together, then the summer became about swimming, fall about football, winter about lazy days in, and after a year we moved in together. It’s now been 7 years of our love only growing stronger and our family has enjoyed all kinds of adventures. We are all so excited for the next chapter of our lives and are so happy to get to share our special day with our closest friends and family.

After five years, Jake was ready to propose. He knew how and where he wanted to propose, but life had other plans. For Mariya’s birthday Jake, Ellah, and Mariya went to Monterey to celebrate as the Monterey Aquarium was one of Mariya’s favorite places to visit as a child. After a long day of driving, going to the aquarium, and eating Jake suggested to go to the beach knowing the beach was the perfect setting. Mariya expressed how tired she was and just wanted to go back to the hotel. She said it be better to go tomorrow morning. The next morning they were ready to set out, but Ellah had her own plan and was having a rough day. Unknowingly spoiling Jake’s plan to propose. So they packed up and drove to Santa Cruz to go visit Mariya’s family. Jacob once again brought up the beach, and Mariya again said no as the beaches were packed for Labor Day weekend. They drove up to San Francisco that evening, and the next morning Jake again mentions going to the beach. They finally headed towards the beach! The quickly found not one but two beaches were closed. They then headed to one last Beach and hooray! This beach finally open! Jake, Ellah, and Mariya made their way down to the water where Jake nervously got down on one knee and asked Mariya to marry her! Mariya ecstatically said yes, and cried.