Let me tell you 'bout my best friend

People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend

He's a warm-hearted person who'll love me till the end

Technically this song is about a father-son duo, but the first few lines fit so perfectly in this blog.

It's been 10 years since I first told Jake I was "emotionally invested" in him. (I didn't want to be the first one to say "I love you", so that's the best alternative I could think of. Cut me some slack.) Here we are, 10 years later, sitting on opposite sides of our home office, typing away. It's quiet in here except for the two contractors working upstairs, and the occasional clacking of Piper's nails on the floor as she wanders around. It's a slow, chilly spring morning, so what better time to write a quick post about my best friend?

Jake and I matched on Tinder way back in 2014 - I was messing around on the app with my friend, and he was looking for coffee dates and someone to watch Dr. Who with. To this day, I don't think we've ever really gone on a coffee date, and we've watched maybe 3 episodes of Dr. Who together. Still, we've managed to make it work! We dated all throughout my grad school career, he proposed the week after I graduated, and we got married about 7 months later. I was pretty much smitten with him from our 3rd date onward. I knew he was the one for me. So much so, that we even booked the wedding venue before we were officially engaged... I knew it was all going to work out!

Because we met while I was in grad school (a very tumultuous and fast-paced time in my life), I didn't really get to introduce my closest friends to Jake in the same way I got to know their significant others early on. My college friends were more scattered post-graduation, admittedly I'd been a little MIA with my high school friend group, and my long-time BFF Emma was off on her own grad school studies. It was hard to find time for hangouts and proper introductions. Over the years, though, I'm sometimes still a bit surprised when I mention something about Jake offhand and my friends respond, "I never knew that!". I figure it's finally time to introduce Jake to the world (and my friends).

Jake is patient. He doesn't rush through anything, and doesn't mind waiting longer if it means better things are coming. He always hears me out before taking his turn in the conversation. He gives our daughter grace in learning new things, and is always ready to teach her again and again when she needs more time to absorb things.

Jake is a good listener. Not only does he wait for me to finish my thoughts, he actively listens while he does it. He doesn't get into debates just to "win". His counterpoints are carefully crafted to show he hears the other side while presenting his argument calmly. (Note: we really don't debate/argue with each other much at all; but when we do, I love and appreciate this side of him so much.)

Jake is logical. Where I tend to lead with my heart and spirit, Jake leads with his brain. He has an innate way of looking at the forest and seeing the trees and figuring out a path through the forest. All at once. When I come to him with a big-picture idea, he guides me to think through all the steps and things I'd need to consider to make it a reality. Is it any wonder why he ended up being an engineer?

Jake is accomplished. One of the first things my family (re: mom and grandmom) latched onto when I started dating Jake was that he was an Eagle Scout and part of the Knights of Columbus. They thought this was the best thing ever (lol). But beyond that and the Masters degree he's earned since then, Jake is accomplished in many more ways. He worked his way through school and paid off all his student debt early. He paid off his car loans early every time. He's moved up the corporate ladder several times in the 12 years he's been at Aesculap. He's a Senior R&D Manager at a young age, which I think is a pretty big deal. I know there will be more accomplishments to add in the years to come!

Jake is committed. When he sets out to do something, he does it. Even weekly routines like going to the gym, church, mowing the lawn - if I say, "Ohhh, maybe we can skip it just this week", he's the voice of reason telling me to get it done. He's also the reason our financial budget stays on track. I'm always amazed at how disciplined and dedicated he is about the things he puts his mind toward. (Side note: this applies to video games too sometimes. Very committed.)

Jake is caring. When someone is in need, I never need to persuade Jake to help. Like when my 86-year-old grandmom wasn't doing so well, and Jake dropped everything to drive 30 minutes to her house at 7:00 on a Sunday night for a wellness check. Or when a close friend of mine needed a place to stay for a few months, and Jake said, without hesitation, that she could stay with us. He's fiercely protective of my happiness and well-being, especially when I have difficulty advocating for myself.

Jake is my other half. He is, as he said in his vows, my rock and foundation. He's the ying to my yang (as in Ying Yang Twins, not to be confused with yin yang). He's as logical as I am spontaneous, as I said in my vows... and together we are building a life far better than either of us could imagine alone.

Well, I didn't set out to make this as sappy as it became, but I guess it can't be helped... I love the guy! I can't picture my life with anyone else but him by my side forever. Jake is my life partner and soul mate. And now you know a little more 'bout my best friend!