Jake Atkins and Aaron Elsey: Heartsong
“Aaron and I have been happily married for four years,”
Jake says, the corners of his eyes crinkling with his - smile.
Jake Atkins and Aaron Elsey first met more than seven years ago on a dating app. "Yes, I swiped right," Jake says with a laugh.
Since then, they've made countless memories together, endured some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and worked to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Columbus.
The beginning of Jake and Aaron's relationship didn't follow the typical date-fall-in-love-get married path. When they first met, Jake and Aaron were both heavy drug users. "Our addictions controlled both of our lives," Jake says. "Meeting Aaron gave me hope that Icould have a better life and that Ideserved better than the drug-fueled life Iwas living."
Jake and Aaron say that they recognized early in their relationship that their lives were at a dead end, and they were struggling to survive. Things would only continue to get worse if they didn't make a change.
"After only a few months of dating, we decided to take a crucial step of hope and faith in each other and get sober," Jake says. "We knew that there were only three ways out of the lifestyle we were living -we'd either die, get arrested, or make the choice to walk away. We chose to walk away that day and we never looked back."
Jake and Aaron have been sober for seven years, and say their journey toward sobriety was not only one of their best memories together but one of the hardest times ni their lives.
After making the decision to get sober, Jake went to rehab in Evansville at The Stepping Stone. After rehab, he attended NA
(Narcotics Anonymous) meetings. Jake and Aaron also encourage anyone in Columbus that is struggling with addiction to reach out to ASAP (Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress), Recover Out Loud, or Centerstone.
"We want to give hope to other people who are struggling with addiction," the couple tells me. "It's not been easy, but it's completely worth it. We couldn't have done it without the amazing support of our family and friends in the community."
Their shared journey toward sobriety isn't the only common thread that held this couple together in the beginning. "We both love music and we love to sing. It was something that brought us together when we started dating," says Jake."I didn't know Aaron could sing for the first few months we were together, then one day in the car he just busts out an old country song. My heart melted immediately."
If you've attended karaoke at one of the local bars or have spent time downtown for a Chamber First Thursdays event, you may have seen Aaron in his musical happy place - DJing and hosting karaoke for Matty O. Entertainment.
Jake and Aaron also spend a lot of time volunteering with Columbus, NI Pride, Inc. Jake currently serves as the Vice President and will fill the role as President in the next term. Aaron serves as the Columbus Pride Festival Vendor Leader and is in charge of coordinating the more than 140 vendors that attend the Columbus, IN Pride festival.
Columbus, IN Pride is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports people who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as their support people and other community partners. What began as a senior project in 2018 grew into an annual festival, which has taken place in Columbus for the past six years. In 2023, the group grew the festival into a nonprofit organization that will offer new events (as well as the festival!) throughout the coming years.
Jake and Aaron have been the longest members of the Columbus Pride festival committee, volunteering for Pride for over six years. "We're passionate about bringing awareness to the LGBTQ+ community here in Columbus," they tell me.
"Pride is really important to us because there are still people in this world who think they're better of dead, than being themselves. If we can make one person feel welcome and seen and give them a sense of belonging, then we've done our jobs. A true heartsong, if you will."
In addition to their work with Pride, Jake and Aaron have also spent time volunteering with Toys for Tots of Bartholomew and Jennings Counties. "We've also been able to sponsor senior projects and sit on diversity discussions tables for youth in Columbus," says Jake.
Though they have no children of their own, the couple loves spending the extra time with their nieces and nephews. "We have 11 amazing nieces and nephews that we get to spoil!" they tell me. "We love getting to watch their baseball games, band concerts, cheerleading competitions, basketball games, gymnastics classes, and track meets."
With over 15 years of coaching experience including cheerleading, gymnastics, and volleyball, Jake is a natural athlete like his nieces and nephews. "Coaching is one of my passions, he says. I" had to resign from coaching VJ volleyball at Columbus North when I accepted a new position at Cummins, but I plan to get back into coaching as soon as I can."
You can also spot Jake and Aaron out walking their two French Bulldogs, 10-year-old Faline and her five-year-old daughter, Fannie, in their downtown neighborhood.
Jake and Aaron have lived near 11th and Sycamore for six years. "We really like living close to downtown. We like being close to al the events throughout the year, and it's close to where we work!" they tell me.
"All of our neighbors have become friends," Jake says. "We look after each other's homes when one is out of town. We have cook outs, game nights, and we often cook brunch on Sundays for everyone. Everyone is always welcome at our table, and fi we run out of room, we'l just build a bigger table."
Jake and Aaron carry with them a certain air of both confidence and compassion. It's no wonder their neighbors, friends, and family feel so safe around them.
"We treat all of our neighbors with respect and kindness. We welcome them into our home, and into our lives. Despite our differences, all we want is to live in a safe community where we are free to be ourselves, and to love whoever we want to love.
Please Support Columbus Living by Patronizing Our Sponsors
