In the summer of 2017, we had both just finished up our Sophomore years of college at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Little did we know, Jake knew all of Jamie’s friends and Jamie knew all of Jake’s friends; but, we had never met before.

To kick off that summer, we were both signed up for the Birthright trip to Israel through the Chabad at UF. Jamie had signed up to go with her friend Sam while Jake had signed up to go with his friend Tyler. At the gate, Jamie distinctly remembers saying to Sam: “Who is that over there? I’m obsessed.” In the terminal, we both vaguely remember saying hi to each other at the very most - this was likely a hi to each of our friends.

When we boarded the plane, our seats for the flight were assigned by last name. While our seats were likely next to each other (“GOT” and “GOL”), Jamie obviously/unknowingly upgraded her seat. In hindsight, Jamie now says that was for the better so that Jake didn’t get to witness any anxiety from turbulence over a long flight.

After a few days into the trip and at the top of Masada, Jake asked to take a photo with Jamie (and Tyler). Jamie recalls telling Sam “he’s mine” after the photo.

The trip went on and Jamie and Jake continued to talk and spend time together on the trip. From nights out to long bus rides across Israel, the trip brought the both of us very close.

When the Israel trip ended, we boarded our flight back to New York. As expected, GOT and GOL were seated next to each other on the flight. We both recall someone a few rows up asking us to be a little bit quieter because we could not stop talking for the entire flight. When Jamie eventually fell asleep, Jake covered her with his blanket.

That Israel trip came to an end but the rest of the summer was full of snap chats and texts as Jake worked and Jamie spent time with her mom.

In what sounds so cliché, we did meet on a trip that is intended to do just that and… six years later, this all becomes history as we plan for our wedding!

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