Paloalto Para Siempre!

-Arlan's Story- I was on staff at Reach Church in Kirkland the summer of 2013. I helped coordinate volunteers and would usually go out for lunch with current Northwest University students and recent graduates. One Sunday after the gathering, a large group of us went to MOD Pizza in Bellevue. That was the first time I saw Kortney and I made sure I introduced myself. I wanted to make a move but never did. 'Till this day, Kortney, still does not remember meeting me at MOD Pizza. Over the next 4 years I would see Kortney in Kirkland and would always say hi and see how she was doing. At the Spychalski wedding, I saw Kortney as I walked to my table. I did not plan on saying hi but she looked at me and said, "Hi Arlan!". I said hello and she responded with, "Oh, you don't remember me, do you?" I immediately said "No Kortney, I remember you." and I sat at her table to catch up. HOW could I NOT remember this girl?! -Kortney's Story- I had just started my first year at Northwest University and Arlan was graduating. He was part of Reach Church and served there. I started attending as a freshman and I got to know him a bit during that time. I remember making a real effort in remembering his name, since I forgot it the next time I saw him. Four years later, I went up to him at the Spychalski's wedding in Snohomish. I was trying to catch him off guard and be the first to break the awkward "We know each other... but not that well." glances; since I thought that he did not remember me after all this time. BUT HE DID! I was totally taken off of my game after that. He sent me a Facebook message the day after and then asked to take me out to dinner in Tacoma a few days after that!

Arlan went to Tacoma because he was invited to a dinner with Kortney's family and two other families that she is close with (the FRamily). When Arlan arrived to Kortney's house, he tried to rush her into getting ready so he could take her for a walk and just talk after a stressful day that Arlan had. After Kortney finished getting ready, they both left the house without saying goodbye to anyone- for fear of spilling the beans. They pulled into Chambers Bay Park, one of Kortney and Arlan's favorite places to go on for walks and watch sunsets. As they walked towards the waterfront there was a blanket laid out on the ground. Arlan led Kortney there, where she found a hardcover book with a picture of them on the cover. Kortney opened the book and saw that it had pictures of the both of them and the memories that they have made thus far. Arlan had special notes in the book along the margins for Kortney to read. As Kortney got to the end of the book, Arlan took a step back and reached in his pocket. Kortney got to the the last few pages and as she turned the page, she saw that it was a picture of Arlan holding a sign that said, "Will you"; she turned to the last page and again, there was Arlan holding a sign that said, "Marry me?". At this point, Arlan was on one knee and proposed. Kortney said yes and quickly asked, "Wait, what's the dinner tonight for?" Arlan smiled, looked at her and said, "It's for us."