Like all modern love stories, this one begins on a dating app. RJ "liked" Julia first (because she looked like someone he would get along with and had the bonus of being very pretty), and she matched with him because, yes, he was super cute and because his profile said he wanted to visit every state park in Washington. Julia’s goal? Every national park in the country. So naturally, their first date was a walk through a state park with their dogs, some good beers, and the start of something even better. From the beginning, they bonded over their love of nature, music, and adventure, plus their shared dream of acquiring as many pets as reasonably possible. There were countless little synchronicities that made it feel like the universe had been saving them for each other. (Julia even had a list of everything she wanted in a partner, and RJ somehow checked every single box… down to having the right amount of chest hair.) Their second date quickly became legend. Jeff the bartender kept hitting on Julia and slipping her free drinks, which she passed to RJ, getting him fairly tipsy in the process. Later, when RJ drove her home (after sobering up, don’t worry), Julia nervously blurted out, “Are you going to kiss me?” When RJ said yes, she launched herself across the Jeep so enthusiastically she nearly broke his nose. It was, as they say, true love. A year and a half later, after countless hikes, giggles, pet snuggles, and Red Robin–based restaurant ratings, RJ proposed under a towering Ponderosa pine at Tumalo State Park in Oregon. Julia knew the proposal was coming on that trip — she just didn’t know when. It couldn’t have been more perfect. This summer, they moved in together, a milestone that their pets took as a personal victory, and are thrilled to finally be making things official. Next up: settling into their new home in Sultan and saving up for a camper so they can keep chasing trails, sunsets, and state park signs across the map. Whether it’s hiking under the trees or ranking dinner out of five Red Robins, they can’t wait to spend a lifetime exploring the world together.