Our story technically started long before we ever met. We both grew up in Spokane, probably crossed paths a thousand times, and somehow never met until we were living 1,500 miles away from each other. Proof that timing really is everything. Years later at a wedding in Seattle, and miraculously after Allie had far too many tequila shots (super out of character for her), Jerred’s parents decided to play matchmaker. This was especially impressive considering Jerred wasn’t even at the wedding and was also living in Colorado at the time (which Allie was unaware of). What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into nonstop texting, and before we had ever even heard each other’s voices Jerred booked a flight across the country to be Allie’s date to her cousin’s wedding. Super casual, low-pressure first date. On our first official date downtown (the morning before the rehearsal dinner), we nearly got pulled over for driving the wrong way down one of Spokane’s many one-way streets, and got busted trying to sneak souvenir beer glasses out of Brick West Brewing. Things thankfully turned around when Jerred survived the rehearsal dinner and a rapid-fire line of questioning from Allie’s very nosy family. He sealed the deal with a post-wedding Taco Bell run and she was officially hooked (the first of many late-night Taco Bell trips). Long distance quickly became our normal. Living in Colorado Springs and Bellingham meant countless FaceTime dates, emotional airport reunions, and very strategic PTO planning (Jerred was very "sick" many Fridays last year...glad he's been feeling better). Eventually, long distance turned into one shared home, but not before surviving two very complicated cross-country moves together (with a lot of help from Jerred's dad). Now we’re building our life side by side in Chicago with, of course, Jerred’s dog Dempsey. Allie has happily stepped into her role as his adopted dog mom and is now his favorite. Now we get to celebrate our forever in the city where it all began. Spokane is the city that raised us both, even if it took a while to bring us together. We’re endlessly grateful for the friends and family who supported us through every chapter, especially the ones who made this whole thing happen in the first place. Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.