Our paths probably should have crossed years before they did, but we are just so glad they finally did! Catherine and Zack grew up in neighboring towns in Northern Virginia and attended rival high schools. They even went to the same university (Go Dukes!) But it took a dating app (Go Bumble!) in Southern California for them to finally meet. Their first date took place in August of 2020, when all restaurants in LA county were closed. They opted to watch the sunset together on a picnic blanket by the Long Beach lighthouse, where they chatted for four hours. They have been inseparable ever since. Almost exactly four years after our first date, we will become husband and wife.

Zack asked Catherine to take a Friday off of work so they could enjoy a day full of surprise date activities he had planned. Catherine felt suspicious that this might result in a proposal, but her mother Trace thankfully played along, denying any knowledge of a potential proposal. Friday morning, Zack drove Catherine to Paradise Falls trail in Thousand Oaks, CA, where they hiked down to a beautiful waterfall to have a picnic. After lunch, Zack presented Catherine with a scrapbook showcasing his favorite parts of their two and a half years together. The book's final page featured a photo of Zack at the beach on one knee, and once he pulled out the ring, they were engaged! They excitedly finished the hike and headed back home before meeting up with Catherine's brother Mike and his partner Rose for dinner at Terranea Resort, where Catherine and Zack spent the night and enjoyed the beautiful cliffside scenery.