Mutual friends introduced Abby and Joe at the climbing gym. Or, as Joe remembers it, Abby introduced herself because she's wildly extroverted. One day soon after, both of their usual climbing partners were unavailable, so they climbed together! That day led to more climbing, which led to hiking, which led to their first real date a couple of weeks later. Both their relationship and their belaytionship grew from there.

In the last week of 2020, Abby suggested a hike in their favorite local spot to close out the year. Joe agreed, and saw his opportunity. On the morning of the 31st, Abby mistakenly thought Joe needed time to work on a project and tried to leave him at home, thinking she was being such a good girlfriend. Joe casually declined this offer and said he wanted to hike. An hour in, Joe paused and unzipped his jacket despite the cold weather, perplexing Abby. Her confusion grew as Joe abruptly changed topics, recounting a story from the first week they met. His intention became clear when he knelt down and reached into his pocket. Joe achieved the near impossible and rendered Abby completely speechless for a few moments. Three words and some happy tears later, Joe and Abby were engaged. Finn, meanwhile, didn't seem to grasp what had just occurred and was happily destroying a stick. He briefly sniffed the ring, decided he couldn't eat it, and they continued on their way.

Joe and Abby have chosen to be married under the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains at a family home simply called 'The Cabin.' First built as a summer home in the early 1940s by Joe's great-grandparents, George & Gertrude Marsh, The Cabin is nestled amidst groves of redwood trees, some more than two hundred feet tall. Check out the Photos page to see Joe's grandmother, Avonia (Marsh) Dondero as a young girl sitting in the rafters while The Cabin was being built. During construction, the family camped out and cooked their meals over a fire ring in the redwood grove where Joe and Abby will be married. The generations since have lovingly maintained and enhanced the property, which has hosted countless family events and now adds a wedding to that legacy.