While Grey’s Anatomy character Levi Schmitt has been unapologetically himself through his career at Grey Sloan Memorial, it took actor Jake Borelli more convincing. “I had so much trepidation. I almost said no to Krista [Vernoff,

Another doctor is scrubbing out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Ever since news broke that Jake Borelli and Dr. Levi Schmitt were leaving Grey’s Anatomy after almost eight seasons, fans were left with endless questions as to how Schmitt would be written out and whether he could get back together with his long lost love.

"I think it's so beautiful to see two gay men in a loving relationship like this, where they are willing to take huge leaps of faith for one another," Borelli tells PEOPLE