When Sage Horn and Jakob Mattern first crossed paths, their worlds couldn’t have been more different when it came to pets.
Sage had always been deeply devoted to her cats, considering them family, while Jakob didn’t think of himself as much of a cat person.
That changed quickly once their relationship deepened. The more time Jakob spent with Sage and her cats, the more he realized just how special these animals were — not only to her, but eventually to him, too.
Love That Grew With Cats
Sage often talked about how her cats had been anchors in her life.
To her, they weren’t simply animals she cared for, but companions who offered unconditional love and comfort.
Jakob noticed the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about them, and slowly, his own connection with the cats began to grow. He learned their habits, shared in their playtime, and soon found himself genuinely attached.
Their presence had become part of his life as much as hers.
Their home became complete when Piper, a curious and affectionate cat, joined their little family after the couple had settled into their first house together.
For Sage, adopting Piper felt like a natural step in building a future with Jakob. She often reminded him that loving her meant embracing her cats as well.
Jakob, to her joy, embraced that truth wholeheartedly.
A Valentine’s Day To Remember
Months later, on Valentine’s Day, Sage came home expecting the warm greeting she had grown used to — both cats rushing to the door.
Instead, only Phoenix appeared. Immediately concerned, Sage asked Jakob where Piper was.
Jakob calmly explained that he might have accidentally closed her in their bedroom. Together, they headed upstairs to let her out.
When the bedroom door opened, Piper was waiting, tail swishing as if nothing unusual had happened. But something about her appearance made Sage stop in her tracks.
Around Piper’s neck was a collar Sage had never seen before. At first, she didn’t have time to study it because Piper, as always, hurried toward the kitchen in search of her dinner.
It was only when Sage followed her that she finally got a good look.
Her heart skipped. Written clearly on the collar tag were four words that would change everything: “Will you marry me?”
The message took her completely by surprise. She turned back toward Jakob, her mind spinning, only to see him already kneeling on the floor with a small ring box open in his hands.
Jakob’s voice was filled with warmth as he explained that he wanted to spend his life not only with her, but also with the cats who meant so much to her.
His thoughtful plan had made their beloved Piper part of the most important question he would ever ask.
Saying Yes To Forever
For Sage, the moment felt almost unreal.
She had just been carrying flowers and chocolates, celebrating Valentine’s Day like any other couple, and suddenly she was standing in the middle of a proposal that could not have been more personal.
Tears welled in her eyes as she realized how perfectly Jakob had understood what mattered most to her.
Of course, her answer was an enthusiastic yes. The room filled with joy as she accepted the ring, knowing this proposal wasn’t just about two people — it was about the little family they had built together with Piper and Phoenix.
What had started as a love story between a cat lover and someone unsure of animals had blossomed into something much bigger: a partnership where their pets were just as cherished as their human bond.
Looking back, Sage often reflects on how unexpected the proposal was, and how meaningful it felt that her cats had played such a key role in it.
For her, it wasn’t just a romantic gesture; it was proof that Jakob loved her in the truest way possible — by also loving what she held closest to her heart.
Now, as the couple plans their future, Sage feels grateful to know that she will be walking into marriage with a partner who values her cats as much as she does.
Every day, she is reminded that the best relationships are built on understanding and acceptance — and sometimes, even on a cat’s collar carrying the most important question of all.