Our story began a little over three years before we started dating, when we were introduced by our mutual friend Nick Smedberg. There were sparks and possibilities throughout that first year of friendship, but it remained just that. Luckily, in the spring of 2013 we had three classes together. We would sit together in class, talk between classes, and after class Richard would keep Aileen company while she waited for her off campus bus. This continued everyday through the whole semester until finally on June 1, 2013, Richard kissed Aileen. The rest, as they say, is history.

On August 14, 2021, we headed out onto the Heart O’ the Forest trail in Olympic National Park. It was a beautiful day and somehow we had the trail almost entirely to ourselves. At the turn around point, Richard led Aileen down to a picturesque creek. Surrounded by the magic of a rippling creek, old growth forest, and lush ferns, Richard knelt on one knee and asked Aileen to marry him.