Rachel and Jake met in September of 2019. A mutual friend of theirs named Ben—who will be officiating their marriage on January 18th—had invited each of them to go for a group trail run at Willow River State Park. Rachel had registered for the Willow River 10k and wanted to familiarize herself with the trail, and Jake lived near the park and ran there often. Ben and Rachel carpooled to the park that day, and on the ride there, Ben described everyone who would be joining the run. For Jake, Ben said something to the effect of, “Jake doesn’t really say much, but he’s a super nice guy.”

Rachel was pleasantly surprised to find that Jake was thoughtful and had a LOT to say that day. He kept pace with her and made friendly conversation for 10 miles. When the run was over, Jake asked for her number so that they could continue the conversation they had started on the trail. He also registered for the Willow River 10k and ran Rachel’s first 10k with her a few weeks later.

Trail runs turned into dates, and dates turned into preparing meals together or for one another, which turned into meeting and spending time with each others’ families and friends. Jake moved in with Rachel in Saint Paul for a while until he took a job in Mankato, after which the two of them began house hunting in southern Minnesota. Before long, they found a little log cabin on Lake Tetonka and decided to call it home. The two of them regularly take their dog Dash running with them near the lake, hike, paddle board, hit the gym together, and play cribbage.

Rachel and Jake have celebrated what they call their “Runniversary”—the anniversary of the day they met—five times now, going for a run together at the end of September each year. On New Year’s Eve 2023, after first winning at cribbage and then winning $1,000 on a $10 scratch off, Jake took a knee and proposed, stating that he was feeling lucky and that he wanted to keep his streak running. Rachel responded with one of the fastest Yeses ever yessed, and the two of them can't wait to be married and celebrate with all of you in January!