I knew Jake as my kind, somewhat mysterious neighbor in our apartment building. When Mina was born, Jake bought a special blanket for her that she still uses. A few fateful years later, I baked a loaf of bread and left it at his door, curious to spark a conversation with this tall, stoic (and I’d come to learn, completely goofy) man. He slipped a thank‑you note under my door and mentioned he’d paired the bread with his homemade sauce; the start of a weekly ritual of cooking together.

What began as a friendship over good food, music, golfing, and doing silly bits, grew into a loving partnership. Jake really entered the family when Mina and her Jakey became the best of friends, playing dollies and dress up any chance they get, often until way past bedtime. We’ve weathered plenty of hard chapters: job loss, learning to navigate coparenting, sobriety, the Orlando airport, and the devastation of losing our home to a fire.

Through every challenge, success, and the timid moments in between, we've become a more solid team, grateful for each other every step of the way. We’re so overjoyed to celebrate our love and partnership with you in one of our favorite places, Manchester, VT!