Jake and Katie have been married for nearly 9 years and currently live in Cleveland Ohio. They recently moved from Redding CA where they met, fell in love, got married and brought 3 wonderful children into the world (2 daughters – 6 & 4 years old, and 1 son – 2 years old). Jake is a pastor at Bethel Cleveland and the director of the Cleveland Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). Katie is a foster care mentor and full time student working to become a teacher.
How did you first meet?
We first met while attending school together in Redding CA. We admired each other from afar until our paths crossed. Then we couldn’t get enough of each other.
What was your first date? What encouraged you to keep dating?
Our first date was dinner, desert and an evening walk. I spilled ice tea all over my pants at dinner and Katie was so gracious and kind, it definitely made me want to get to know her more. But the main thing was her passion for people and the Lord.
Katie, “I felt incredibly valued. He opened the doors for me, smiled at me, and wanted to know all about my life. After dinner Jake wanted to talk about the standard of purity we were going to hold in our relationship which made protected and empowered.”
What was your most memorable date ever and what made it so outstanding?
We took a weekend in Napa Valley to get away and explore. It was amazing to be somewhere that we could enjoy shared passions and unplug from the rest of the world. It was adventurous, romantic and restful. The setting was beautiful and everything we experienced was excellent. It made it that much easier to see beauty in each other and enjoy our connection.
How do other people describe you as a couple?
The things people say most often to describe us are that we are in love, affectionate, happy and passionate.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome as a couple and how has that shaped your marriage? How would you advise another couple facing a similar thing?
Hmmm… The biggest challenge has probably been thriving in abnormally busy seasons. Katie has been in school for the duration of our relationship and we have had to figure out balancing our goals with having children and managing responsibility. It gives us lots of opportunities to learn and protect each other’s needs. Our advice would be to always go low. Discover each other and serve each other.
What are some of the best marriage resources you have come across?
All of Danny Silk’s stuff has been huge! BSSM gave us a great foundation as well. There was a course we took called Love After Marriage that gave us great tools for connection.
Tell us about an “Aha!” moment that you have had in your marriage and how that has helped you become a better spouse.
For us the biggest Aha! Moment has been learning how the other thinks and operates. Especially in context of internal vs external processors. This has helped us value and understand each other’s style of communication.
What are some of the practices in your daily life that best reflect your commitment to each other?
Some of the things we do are to try and give love in the other persons love language. So words of affirmation, acts of service and quality time are everyday expressions of love. We also make sure that we deal with any conflict quickly and lovingly. Texts throughout the day, kissing when we part or come together as well as smiling at each other all pour into being connected and full.
What is one of the most inspiring or rewarding experiences you have ever had together?
The birth of our children was big. We learned together, created together and experienced life together. Seeing them grow up with a healthy desire for love and relationship is very rewarding.
What would you do for a last minute date night together?
We would hit up a favorite coffee shop before landing at Town Hall for food and conversation. Then end the night with a walk while kissing as much as possible.
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Elliott Bailey says
Met at school and still together – awesome! (you guys must be good kisses!)