We’re Getting Married!

Jim and Alida met in 2019 at a mutual friend's karaoke birthday party! Jim strategically asked Alida for her number in order to "make sure the birthday girl got home safely" since Alida offered to take her home.

Our first date was at Grand Central Bowling, where Alida got to meet a small group of Jim's friends. All the bowling lanes were booked, so the group went to a nearby bar to hang out. Soon after, Jim and Alida broke away from the group and went to Loyal Legion to get to know each other over some drinks.

Alida woke up expecting to go on a hike that they both had talked about a few days in advance. Expecting to get all sweaty and gross, Alida got her hiking clothes on, threw her hair up in a pony tail without brushing it, and put on some mascara to look more awake. They left for their "hike", and stopped along the way to get some tea & coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Alida scarfed hers down, knowing she would want to eat before going on a long hike, and Jim said he was going to wait to eat his. Along the way Jim asked if they could stop at the Vista House since he knew Alida liked the views up there, and it was along the way. She agreed! They arrived and walked around the Vista House. It was a busy day up there with people visiting and traveling for the summer. They walked around the front of the Vista House and looked out at the Columbia River. Alida asked Jim if he wanted to go inside and walk up to the top of the Vista House to get a better view, and he agreed. There were lots of people along the top balcony, and drones buzzing all around with visitors getting shots of the scenic view point. It was a beautiful day. Just a little cloudy, not too windy, and warm, way better than the very cloudy and cold day we had the day before. They stood up there for about five minutes and decided to go back downstairs and outside so others could look over the balcony's edge at the view. Jim directed them both to the sidewalk that goes along the side of the road in front of the Vista House to see the view from there. They had just found a spot overlooking the river and Alida rested her arms on the cement barrier. There was no one else down there, as all the other visitors were closer to the Vista House, or taking photos on the stairs leading up to it. They always ask each other, "Love me forever?", and answer with things like, "love you forever!" or occasionally Alida just says "duuuhh", or "yeah, you freak" and laughs while Jim rolls his eyes. So then he asks, "Love me forever?" and Alida said, "yeah, love you forever", and he took a small box out of his short's pocket, and asks Alida, "want to make it official?". Of course Alida said "YES!" and starts tearing up, telling him how beautiful the ring is! They celebrated at McMennamins Edgefield after. Taylor and George drove up to celebrate with them, and take some photos, play pool and darts and soak up being engaged!