I was a seasoned Starbucks Barista Trainer, and Daniel was just another "green bean" for me to deal with, or so I thought... On that August day, marriage to the goofball across the room was the last thing I expected. With the easiest smile and loudest laughter in the store, he quickly became my closing buddy, and then my actual friend, and then the highlight of my work day. Through countless wagers of "I bet you won't eat that for a dollar" (he would), lobby-mopping dance parties, and one heck of a Coffee Master Certification together, he became one of my best friends.

By June 2016, we'd become inseparable, and we realized that without ever going on an official "date," we were already very much "together." Since then, we've been cooking, eating, adventuring, board-gaming, and laughing. Whether in kayaks, hiking boots, snowshoes, or just sweats on the couch, we always find a thrill in being together. Our families and friends happily adjusted to the new package deal, and we never looked back.

I took Tessa on a "birthday" hike up to Anderson Butte by Mount Baker. It was rainy and cold, but despite a few wrong turns, we successfully reached the top. As we were scanning the valleys below for any sign of where we had left the car, I asked Tessa, "Is that it over there down to the left?" As predicted, she looked off into the distance and allowed to me to get down on one knee behind her. "Tessa," I asked, "I love you. Will you marry me?" She turned around with a bewildered smile and said with sparkling eyes, "YES!" After the shock of the moment was over and we were happily hugging each other, my accomplice Thomas, who captured the moment, exclaimed while short of breath, "You're lucky I love you guys!" We had a group hug and an easy hike back down before meeting Thomas' wife Kyra for celebratory pizza.