Daniel Blagovich & Jake Carter
Daniel Blagovich and Jake Carter, bakers and owners, Howdy Bagel
Homebase: We live in the wonderful city of Destiny—Tacoma, Washington!
How did your love story begin? Jake: I had just come out (about four years ago) and was on a hike with my best friend, Morgan. Morgan and Daniel went to college together and bumped into each other while we were hiking. Daniel and I exchanged brief hellos, and I was smitten. I asked Morgan to give me all the details on this handsome man. We started dating about a month later, and the rest is history. We got married this last September, and it was the best day of my life.
Favorite thing about one another: Jake: Ever since I’ve know Daniel, he’s always had the beautiful quality of being able to make anyone feel welcome and included. Whether it’s a party, a dinner or just a brief interaction, Daniel has a warmth about him that makes everyone feel loved and cared for. He’s the kindest man I have known and he has a heart of gold.
Daniel: Jake has always been able to make me laugh. He has a silliness about him that lights up a room and puts everyone at ease. He’s also one of the most hardworking people I know. He is never short of creative muses and sees the beauty in life all around him.
Favorite date night: Daniel: When we first started dating, Jake surprised me with a prix-fixe dinner at the Corson Building in Georgetown, Seattle. We both got gussied up and enjoyed a long-table dinner with a group of strangers. It was so much fun and way too much wine was drank. After it was over, we made out in my car for hours and walked along the train tracks, sharing our dreams for wanting to open a bakery someday.
Favorite tradition you have as a couple: Every Christmas Eve, we bake as many cookies as we can together and make boxes for all our neighbors. We will walk around the neighborhood, dropping off cookies and finish the night at our favorite dive bar, drinking cheap beer and playing rummy.
What does your happily ever after look like? We are so excited to be opening Howdy Bagel together here in Tacoma. It’s such a special thing to be able to work and live with your partner. Some people can’t imagine it for themselves, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We both get to bring different talents and skills to the table, and it just works. We have always felt that our serendipitous meeting was more than just coincidence—it seemed meant to be. We feel like the luckiest guys in the world.