When they met, Renee was a plant buyer/nursery manager at Down To Earth in Eugene, just a few blocks from where Dylan lived. The first time Dylan came into Down To Earth, he was looking for grafting tape to make baby apple trees. With arms full, Renee pointed him in the right direction and kept working. Little did she know, Dylan was flustered and told his friend Kyle as they were leaving, "I'm in love". The second time he came in, he went out to the plant nursery in search of native Yarrow to brew beer with. As an herbalist and native plant enthusiast, Renee was intrigued by Dylan's request. They didn't have any in stock, so she said she could order it and asked him to leave his number - on the plant request list up front. The Yarrow came the day Renee was leaving for vacation, so she adamantly told her coworkers not to call Dylan while she was away. When she got back, she called him and within 15 minutes, Dylan was there. They talked and talked until the plants in the nursery were wilting and Renee had to get back to work. Dylan walked back into the store, but came right back to ask Renee out for coffee. They will forever be indebted to Yarrow.

It was the last day of Dylan and Renee's trip in the Olympic National Park and they decided to spend it on the Elwha River. This river, one of Dylan's favorites, is home to the largest dam removal project in the world. Shortly after its completion in 2014, the free flowing river washed out the road that made most of the Elwha accessible. Because of this, the Elwha feels especially wild and sacred. They got there mid-morning and after exploring some trails, they decided to have an apple cobbler picnic on the river. As they walked the bank, they saw 2 bald eagles flying up the river. They found a place to sit with their binoculars to watch the eagles as they settled on a perch in a tree on the far bank. There was even a third eagle, who after finishing some salmon sashimi also found a sunny branch about 200 yards upriver. They ate their cobbler and marveled at the majestic birds sunning themselves in the trees. The pair of eagles sat peacefully for over an hour, and when they finally dispersed, Dylan and Renee decided to get Scrabble from the car, a new Covid inspired pastime. While Renee was setting up the game, Dylan was sneakily setting up a scene behind her with driftwood and candles. When she turned around, Dylan told her all the things he felt about her, and asked her to marry him! Within minutes, the third eagle that had now been perched upriver for a couple hours, flew away. After all the excitement, Dylan and Renee decided to take a dip in the ice cold river together to make it official, and with a WHOOP they jumped in.