Jake & Bethany’s Story

(According to the Both of Them)

Jake will tell you it all started on the very first night of uni at Robert Gordon University. Bethany will correct him and say it was actually her first day in Aberdeen, fresh off unpacking, when she and her flatmate Carmella (now her bridesmaid!) decided — very sensibly — to go out immediately.

Unfortunately, Aberdeen had other plans. It was completely dead.

So, like all great love stories, this one began…back at Woolmanhill halls, at a slightly questionable party they only intended to stay at briefly.

Jake remembers a quick introduction. Bethany remembers nothing really significant happening. Either way, they met — and then promptly went their separate ways. First year became a series of near-misses and mildly awkward encounters.  

Jake insists Bethany kept appearing everywhere — nights out, mutual friends, rugby socials — and began to suspect it wasn’t coincidence. Bethany maintains it was just a small city…and if anything, Jake was the one who kept turning up.

One encounter does stand out to Bethany though. On her birthday, collecting her mail. Jake, standing nearby waiting for his parents. Eye contact was made. No one knew what to do next. A masterclass in awkwardness. The butterflies were there for both of them. Jake chalking it up to waiting for his parents and wondering if he’d be in trouble for something. Bethany putting it down to excitement for the birthday drinks she was having later on.

Then summer came, and they didn’t speak at all. Which makes what happened next feel slightly suspicious.

Second year arrives…and suddenly they’re everywhere in each other’s lives again. This time, though, something had shifted. Jake describes himself as “finally making a move.” Bethany describes him as “definitely a bit more flirty.”

Eventually, Jake messaged her and suggested they meet up properly — somewhere without sticky floors and blaring music. Conveniently, Bethany was living in Spring Gardens halls…just a five-minute walk from Jake’s flat. What followed was, according to Jake, a completely natural progression and inevitability of living closeby. According to Bethany, he simply developed a habit of appearing at her door most evenings. Jake strongly denies that the word “stalker” was thrown about a few times.

After a few months of this very undefined “seeing each other” phase, Jake made it official with a proper date at an Italian restaurant. Mood lighting, candles, proper tableclothes and linen napkins. The real deal and Jake was terrified. Bethany states she was cool, calm and collected, but she can admit that she spent a questionable amount of time deciding what to wear for what was, technically, “just dinner”. In hindsight, they both agree that they knew that night was when the universe breathed an “at last” after trying to push them together for the previous two years. No wonder they were nervous with that kind of pressure!

From there, things clicked. And by “clicked,” Bethany means the Facebook status was updated — so it was serious.

Then came lockdown.

Bethany will tell you she “somehow unintentionally” moved into Jake’s family home. Jake will tell you she simply never left. Either way, they found themselves living together, writing dissertations, and navigating lockdown…all at once. They survived. Which, in hindsight, was probably the biggest test of all.

Post-uni life didn’t exactly slow down.

There was a move to Edinburgh. A stint living in a boys’ boarding school (which mainly involved sneaking in after nights out without being spotted). And then…the mouldy flat.  

Both agree on one thing: it was horrific. It came with damp, mystery smells, and an impressive ability to ruin belongings. At one point, Jake even broke the shower. Jake claims this is unproven. Bethany would like the record to show otherwise.

Eventually, they upgraded to their first proper home in April 2025. This is where Jake’s DIY era began. Jake describes himself as “hands-on.” Bethany describes it as “every small job turning into a full weekend project.” Bethany is grateful they have Ring cameras so she can “support” him from the warmth of the house!

Over the years, Jake has also taken it upon himself to expand Bethany’s horizons. This has included rugby (rules still questionable), her first game at Murrayfield, skiing in Poland…and, for reasons still unclear, a ten-hour hike up Ben Nevis. Bethany would like it noted that she did not ask for any of this, but that she’ll grudgingly admit she loves it (shhhh don’t tell Jake).

And then came the proposal.

Jake had a plan. A good one, which involved his sister and her parter (Wizzy and Jimmer). Lake District. Wigwams. Scenic views. Romantic speech prepared weeks in advance. What he did not plan for…was the weather. Rain. Constant, committed rain. On day two, Jake and his sister decided it was time and suggested a walk up to Surprise View. Bethany’s response was immediate: absolutely not. It was raining. There was a hill. Both unacceptable. After some convincing — mostly from Wizzy — she agreed, though not quietly. Wizzy even managed to convince Bethany to put makeup on for “nice photos at the top.” (Well done, Wizzy!)

The walk up, according to Jake, was nerve-wracking. He was unusually quiet, trying to remember his carefully rehearsed speech whilst also panicking and grabbing his pocket every 5 minutes as though the ring would suddely disappear or fall out. Jake’s vibe, along with the insistence of the walk should have been a red flag for Bethany but it was not (to everyone’s relief!). The walk up, according to Bethany, was miserable. She was busy complaining the entire time and questioning why she had agreed to this in the first place. 

They finally reached the viewpoint…only to find someone already standing there on FaceTime. Bethany was ready to leave immediately. Jake, for once, was very keen to wait. Bethany was grumbling about hanging around in the rain. Eventually, the spot cleared and Wizzy casually suggested they get a photo.

Bethany stood ready. Jake…just stood there. Staring.

Bethany: “Well, are you going to come stand next to me?”

Jake: still staring.

Then Jake, with shaky hands, reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring…and completely forgot every single word he had planned. The speech? Gone. Vanished into the Lake District mist.

So he did the only thing he could. He got down on one knee. In total silence.

Bethany initially thought this was a joke. Then she looked at Wizzy…who was crying and grinning all at once…and suspiciously recording them.

Bethany looked back at Jake…still silent. And finally realised what was happening.

She said yes.

Despite the silence.
Despite the rain.
Despite the uphill walk.

That evening, they celebrated in a cosy pub near the campsite. What started as a quiet drink turned into an unexpected lock-in with the landlord, a quiz, and several rounds of Scabby Queen. Which, if you know them, feels exactly right.

And that’s how it all began.

A story built on near-misses, persistence, questionable housing, long walks, and a proposal with absolutely no words…

…but, somehow, all the right ones.