Where else would these two have met but on a sports field? Ava, a former college soccer goalie, and Carson, a former wide receiver, both were looking to keep their competitive juices flowing and have some fun playing co-ed flag football. Both were born and raised in Seattle, and while they had never met before, the large number of mutual connections they had landed them on the same team. Carson fancied himself pretty solid on the flag football field, but he quickly realized Ava was a star herself. Through shared rides to the games, on-field communication, and mutual admiration for each other, the two started to become friends, and secretly thought about asking each other on a date. Carson, wanting to play it cool (and not risk ruining the on-field camaraderie) kept those thoughts to himself throughout the season, but a game-winning interception from Ava in the playoffs gave him the opportunity to get an off-field text conversation started. Eventually the season ended, but the texting continued, and Ava agreed to a date under one strict condition: Carson’s dog Chief had to attend. Carson made sure Chief was on his best behavior and the dog-friendly hangout was a success. Things took off from there, as the two began to go to concerts and sports games together, got to know each other’s friends, and fell in love. The next few years featured many highlights, including trips to the Oregon coast, holidays spent with each other’s families, and too many Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders games to count. Ava realized she couldn’t live apart from Chief (and I guess Carson too) and they moved in together, keeping each other both happy and sane during the onset of the pandemic. Their travels included weddings in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York as well as a trip to Greece and Italy that the two will never forget, of course including going to a professional soccer game in Rome. However one place that always had special meaning to them was the Oregon coast, and Carson decided that was the perfect place to pop the question. After getting ring advice from his Mom and Ava’s sister Kaela and an exciting FaceTime with Ava’s parents, the weekend of the big question arrived. While not every detail went exactly according to plan on the weekend itinerary, the most important part went perfectly, and the two got engaged in beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon, of course with Chief by their side. They are both overjoyed to share this day with you all at such a special place.