We met at Anytime Fitness in Susanville, CA. Thomas was fondly known to my friends and family as "hot gym guy" until he introduced himself and asked me out. After our first date, I told my family, "I think that was the best first date I've ever been on." We didn't know yet it would be our LAST first date. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I started medical school in St. George just a few months after meeting Thomas. I wasn't sure long distance would be feasible, but Thomas drove eleven hours each way from California to visit. He moved to Southern Utah about six months into our relationship to be closer to me. It was a rocky chapter in our lives. My dad had just died - I was drowning in grief and school. Thomas kept us afloat; he was my steadfast support. Despite doing concrete in the sweltering desert heat, he was eternally the optimist. I really attribute the success of our relationship that first year to him. Fast forward four years, three houses, many different jobs, and a doctorate degree later, we moved to Boise, ID. I began my Internal Medicine Residency, and Thomas started his own construction and handyman business. It felt like for the first time, we were both getting the chance to do something we love for work. Life was looking up. In 2022, we got our first dog, Reese, and she was the perfect addition to our duo. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thomas flew up to WA to visit while I was doing a rotation in Seattle at UW. We went for a drive through Point Defiance Park, one of Dad's favorite places in Tacoma. We pulled up to Owen Beach, and Thomas wanted to get out and walk around. It had been raining and gray all day, and I didn't want to get out of the car. Thomas (and my mom) were persistent though, saying we should at least go down to the shore and check the area out. As I mulled this over, the weather suddenly cleared. I thought it was a bit odd the rain stopped out of the blue, and I got out of the car thinking I'd do a quick walk along the beach and then we'd continue our drive. The fog started to clear, and a beautiful full rainbow appeared over Puget Sound. I remember feeling emotional in that moment, thinking about Dad. Years ago, when some of his ashes were spread in Alaska, a double rainbow appeared right after. When I saw this rainbow at the beach, I wondered if Dad could be there at the park with me. A few minutes later, a little way down the beach, Thomas got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was completely in shock, but happily managed to nod "yes!" I then immediately blurted out, "When did you get that?!" (referring to the ring). I couldn't believe he'd planned this under my nose! I turned to mom who was taking our picture and yelled, "Did you know about this?!" Everything started to hit me then - the moment, the setting, the weather change, and I turned back to Thomas crying, "Dad sent us a rainbow!" At this point, I was a mess of tears. It felt really special, like we had Dad's blessing. Thomas couldn't have planned it better, and I subsequently cried during every phone call we made to our loved ones to share the news. Don't ask me to retell you this story in person, I'll probably cry then too. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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