Sydney and Jake first met in middle school, sharing a few classes and were only lockers apart. It was no secret from his first day at Madison that Syd had a crush on Jake, and throughout the years she would try to see if Jake had felt the same way - only to have no luck. A few mutual classes and friends were the extent of their relationship throughout middle school and high school ... maybe a couple co ed tennis practices senior year of high school if Syd was lucky! Jake went off to attend the Ohio State University and Sydney to the University of Akron after graduating from Madison High School. Many MHS alumni that were friends of Jake’s attended UA and he would visit, sometimes allowing the two to run into each other. The last time they ran into each other in college they remember how Sydney asked Jake to let her know when he was single … pretty forward of her ... or did she always know the two would be a perfect match? A few years after college, Sydney was living in Lakewood and Jake was living in Ashtabula and a beloved parent to a classmate had passed away, leading them to attend the funeral and reconnect during that time. Only a month after reconnecting they began a relationship and were together as much as possible living "long distance" but only a month after dating, they received the news Sydney's father had suffered a stroke. Within weeks, Sydney had decided to move to Madison and shortly after Jake was by her side, living with her and helping in every way possible throughout her fathers recovery. The first two years of their relationship brought hardships and challenges they could have never imagined they'd face but with one another's love and support they made it through. Jake proposed to Sydney two years after they began dating at The Cleveland Orchestra Holiday special. Sydney had performed with the Cleveland Orchestra in the show with the UA Choirs and had mentioned to Jake she wanted to watch the show from the audience at some point. Jake surprised Sydney with tickets, picked out her outfit (which was given as a gift from her future mother in law) , and arranged for her friends to be waiting at the restaurant where they had their first date, Char in Lakewood with champagne and decorations! Their relationship is a true example of love and commitment to one another, and the power they have even through some of life’s most challenging times. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and we can't wait to celebrate our love with you soon!