Can we get a witness?

Sitting amongst a group of friends Justin asked Amy if she had the time. That was their first interaction. Not long after, Justin was expressing that he sorely missed his dog and the smell of wet dog in his car. Amy overheard him sharing this and approached him a little later, grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes and said "I can help you!" She invited him on a hike in the misty rainy weather with her dog Odie. That was the beginning of a fruitful and loving and kind and funny and beautiful and supportive and healthy friendship that continued for roughly, exactly 17 months, 3 weeks, 6 days, and 17 hours. At this point both Amy and Justin came to realize the love they had for each other was deep and true and they confessed that in the early hours of Jan. 29th, 2017. (Amy loves the fact that I remember these times and dates so accurately!) They spent their first date the next day hiking with Odie at Tabletop Mountain and thus began their new and profound relationship. The next 3 1/2 years were spent hiking, exploring, making a beautiful home together, deepening their love and appreciation, camping, playing monopoly, eating sandwiches, drinking bubbly water and swimming at the various local river spots. Plus lots of other things but most important was that their love for each other expanded beyond what either of them could have imagined. It was clear. They were meant for each other and they wanted to share their lives forever and ever.

Thanksgiving 2020 in Grass Valley with Justin's family: Justin had been carrying around a very special engagement ring in his work boot (weird, but true) hoping to propose to Amy at one of his favorite spots, the Yuba River. When Amy surprised him with a Birthday Beach Getaway Vacation, he decided to pull an "inception surprise" and propose on the beach. The first 3 days of the birthday surprise were filled with beach walks every morning and evening, hikes amongst the giant redwood forests of Humboldt, cheeseburgers, fresh seafood, Star Wars and all around silliness and joy. That 4th day though, Justin gazed out the window in the morning and decided that was the day he'd ask Amy to marry him. He packed fun non-alcoholic beverages, a frisbee and a fanny pack with the ring tucked deep inside. They went to a beach they'd visited each prior evening. Justin suggested a spot that he was fond of and lead Amy and Odie on the trail that took them to a bluff overlooking the Ocean and the valley mist. They sat on a giant stump and reminisced over the time they'd shared and the obstacles they'd overcome together. Justin then reached into the fanny pack and got on one knee. Both were crying as Amy said "Yes!" and they spent the rest of the day playing frisbee on the beach with Odie boy and smooching. Wedding 1.0: The truth is that Amy and Justin were ready to be married. 2020 was a hellofa year for so many reasons and Amy and Justin found perspective in it, and came to realize again that nothing is guaranteed. They didn't want to waste 1 more minute not married. They called their friend Rory and asked if she'd be a witness for a courthouse hitching. Amy made an appointment, they got wedding dress 1.0 and wedding suit 1.0, and got married on February 19, 2021 right outside the courthouse in downtown Sonora (in front of a big, beautiful cedar tree).