Matt and I first met sometime in high school. Neither of us really remembers how or when, but either way, we knew of each other. It wasn’t until spring of my sophomore year at Walla Walla University, that we really started spending time together. It all started the first vespers back of spring quarter. The sheer volume of people in the church was making me anxious (worship credits are a real thing...the first vespers every quarter is a madhouse). I had to run some errands beforehand, and so was a few minutes late (not too late to get credit). I stood in the doorway of the dimly lit church, attempting to spot an open seat near the back. None existed. I weighed my options: I could walk to an empty seat near the front, stand by the door the whole time, or leave. So, in true introverted fashion, I chose option three: I left. (No worship credit for the timid.) Moments after I turned tail and fled, my phone buzzed. I looked down to see that I had a Facebook message from none other than Matt Dupper. (I guess we were friends on Facebook. Maybe that’s how we met?) “Why’d you leave?” I stared at the message. Well, so much for slipping out unnoticed. Somehow that message led to the beginning of a friendship….and eventually a relationship.

We always had fun together. Some days it was just talking on the couch watching TV, others it was hiking, and on one very special occasion, Matt let me drive his car on the backroads of Walla Walla. I, being the courteous woman I am, returned the favor by testing his car’s speed, brakes, and steering….all at the same time. (He hasn’t let me drive stick since…) Over the course of about two years, we gradually began to see each other more and more. Then, one day in mid March, I just knew. I couldn’t hold it in. I blurted out, “I love you!” “I love you too. I’ve known for a while now that I love you,” was his response. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “I knew it would scare you off.” I wanted to argue, but he was right. I would have turned tail and ran if I hadn’t been ready to hear that. We went on with our days after the big “I love you”, giddily, but normally. Finally, a few days later, we had a talk. Maybe we should be “officially dating” and such. We let our friends and family know, and were acknowledged as a “couple”. Life went on, and Matt moved back to California. I moved to the Oregon coast. We found ourselves in a long distance relationship. It was miserable being apart from him. Finally, after a while, he moved up. We continued to live our lives and enjoy each other’s company, until that fateful day. My dear, sweet, sassy grandmother decided that we should be married. We discussed it briefly, but didn’t put too much thought into it. We joked about Matt proposing with a ring pop. Eventually, (with some pressure from a very determined grandma) we decided we should officially be engaged. We let our families know and Matt bought me a ring pop.

Now, I am not one for being the center of attention at big ceremonies or events, so I cringed at the idea of planning a wedding. Matt, being the wonderful man that he is, was on the same page as me. We planned something perfect for the two of us: a camping trip to the great outdoors with a few close friends and family. On March 24, 2018, we were married by a close friend in front of a campfire in Yosemite National Park. Yes, it was cold. Yes, it did rain, but it was perfect. Now, we live happily on the Oregon coast with our three kitties. Yes, it is rainy. Yes, some days are long and dreary, but it is perfect.