Jake grew up in Eureka, Montana, while Sydney was raised in Columbia Falls, just an hour apart. Little did they know that their perfect match was living right down the road all along. ​ Growing up, both were constantly on the move with sports. ​ Jake spent his days playing football, basketball, and running track, while Sydney filled her schedule with soccer, skiing, and softball. Although they attended countless sporting events throughout the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana, they never realized their paths had likely crossed long before they ever met. ​ At just 15 years old, Jake sat down with Jesse Mann and discovered a passion that would shape his future. Inspired by the opportunity to help the people he loved and cared about, he decided he wanted to become a financial advisor. He went on to play football at the University of Idaho, where he proudly spent four years as a Vandal while earning his degree in Finance and pursuing his dream career. ​ Meanwhile, Sydney headed south to play softball at Nicholls State University in Louisiana. As a Colonel for four years, she balanced athletics and academics while earning her degree in Professional Sales and Marketing. After graduation, she planned to follow in her father's footsteps and partner with both her dad and Jake in the financial advising business. ​ Their story officially began when Jake joined Jesse's office after graduating college. Long before they met, everyone seemed convinced they needed to know each other. One afternoon, Sydney's mom, Meghann, met Jake for the first time. She immediately called Sydney and told her all about the new advisor in her dad's office that she simply had to meet. ​ Sydney wasn't so sure. She couldn't imagine that a recent college graduate who had just started his career would be interested in a sophomore in college living across the country. But Jake had heard that Jesse's daughter was interested in becoming a financial advisor as well. Wanting to help, he took the time to research Nicholls State's business program and put together a list of classes he thought would be most beneficial for her future career. ​ That thoughtful gesture caught Sydney's attention. ​ She originally planned to stop by the office with coffee during winter break and see where things went. But patience wasn't exactly her strong suit. While attending a Tucker Wetmore concert and surrounded by happy couples, she decided to add Jake on Snapchat and see what happened. ​ Jake added her back... and then didn't send a single message. ​ After waiting all day for a text that never came, Sydney called her parents convinced this was a bad idea. They encouraged her to reach out first, reminding her that Jake had just started working in her dad's office and probably wasn't going to make the first move. ​ The moment Sydney sent that first text, Jake responded and they haven't stopped talking since. ​ When Sydney came home for winter break, Jake planned the perfect first date. He picked her up with flowers and took her to church, lunch, a Christmas craft show, bowling, and ended the evening with a movie. By the end of the day, Sydney knew there was something special about him. ​ Just three days later, Jake asked Sydney to be his girlfriend. ​ A year and a half later, on a beautiful beach in Pensacola, Florida, he asked her to be his wife. Today, Sydney and Jake are beyond grateful for the journey that brought them together, from two small Montana towns to a love story neither of them saw coming. They are so excited to begin this next chapter as husband and wife and are incredibly thankful to celebrate with the family and friends who have supported them along the way. ​ The best part of their story is that it's only just beginning.