celebrating our commitment of love

Erik and I met one another the way most modern couples do: online! We both swiped right on Bumble. Gosh, I wish we had the transcripts because wouldn't that be something. We figure we must have "matched" when I was down visiting my brother and sister in Seattle. I had been living in Bellingham at the time and Erik was in Port Orchard. I had already told my friends this was to be my last hurrah, and what could hurt. So I reached out (as women must be the first to initiate communication on Bumble). He had 24 hours to respond...which he did, but then he went MIA. A couple weeks later he reached out to ask if I had plans that upcoming weekend, and if I would like to grab dinner and check out Blake Shelton at the Tacoma Dome. I am not a huge country music person, but I love concerts and I love me some Blake! We met up for dinner at the RAM restaurant in Tacoma and you guessed it...Erik was 15-20 minutes LATE! Although fashionably late, I will say that! I remember being met by his amazing smile and stunning blue eyes. We just hit it off and I remember feeling so comfortable and open. We are both romantics at heart. We texted and talked every day after and the following weekend he drove North to Bellingham and greeted me with flowers. I knew I was falling for him fast and hard. Whats more is our shared love of dogs (dogs>cats always) and animals. He had already owned a Catahoola mix (Coco) and a Miniature Labradoodle (Penny); and I have a King Charles Cavalier (Jacques). When we brought them all together I remember thinking “Is 3 dogs too much?” But more than anything I could begin to see the family I have always wanted starting to take shape. Coming home to Erik, the girls, and my boy... feels like HOME <3

2.25.17- First date Blake Shelton at Tacoma Dome, Tacoma WA 3.18.17- Eric Church @ Tacoma Dome, Tacoma WA 3.25.17- Allan Rayman @ Mission Theater, Portland OR 3.31.17 - Vancouver Canucks vs. LA Kings, Vancouver B.C., CA * Erik’s 32nd Birthday * 4.7.17 - Craig Campbell and Trent Harmon @ Showbox SoDo, Seattle WA 4.10.17 - Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros @ Safeco Field 4.22.17 - Comedian Jon Dore @ Laughs Comedy Club, Seattle, WA 4.26.17-The Weekend w/special guests Rae Sremmurd, Belly, 6LACK @ Key Arena, Seattle, WA 5.6.17- Be my wedding date? Wedding weekend with friends at Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum, WA 5.21-5.25.17 Las Vegas for Bridgitte’s 30th Birthday 10.28.18 - Bridgitte moves from Bellingham to join Erik in Puyallup 5.27.21- Best Birthday Ever! Engaged @ sunrise atop Mount Haleakala in Maui, HI

I knew it was coming, although I did not know when. We had both talked about wanting marriage to be apart of our future and began with designing the engagement ring together. I felt the moment would NEVER arrive as it was coming up on a year since we first started the design process. All I requested to Erik about popping the question was to please have it 1. Not be very public and 2. I did not want to be proposed to on a major holiday (Christmas, 4th ofJuly, etc) or my birthday. Little did I know the joke was on me. For my 34th trip around the sun, we headed off for Maui, Hawaii. Maui is a special place to us, as both grew up vacationing there with our family. However, neither of us had taken in sunrise atop Mount Haleakala... and I was determined to watch it. Years ago, Hawaii initiated a reservation system that essentially is a lottery. Every morning, at 7am Hawaii time, 25 slots are released to the public. We refreshed the page and crossed our fingers. For the first couple days we struck out. My hope was waning, and with our trip nearing its end, we had just two chances left. But alas, on the morning of 5.26.21 we scored the elusive tickets to be able to watch sunrise the next day... which if you've worked out, is my birthday. It was 5:44 AM and a chilly 40 degrees. I stood in front of him under the blanket, with his arms wrapped around me. I could feel his hands fumbling underneath. He leaned in and whispered "I love you so much" gave me a kiss on the top of my head and told me to look down. I quickly turned around, realizing the people around and tried to stall, lol. He stated "There's a little more people here than I thought there would be". I was like "Yes, there is! Are you sure? Do you want to go somewhere else? You don't have to get down on one knee..." We shared a kiss. I started to get tears in my eyes and told him he could never know how happy he makes me. He then asked me to be his wife, which I replied "YES!!!"