Autumn of 2020 was not a predictable time both in the world at large and in our personal lives. We certainly could not have predicted meeting and finding the connection we did with each other. When we first met, we lived across the Puget Sound from each other. Christopher in his hometown of Renton and Rachel on the peninsula where this wedding will take place. Our first date was at a dog park, where Rachel promptly lost track of her new, deaf, albino rescue pup Walter. Though initially perplexed as to why she wasn’t calling his name, Christopher realized there’s not much use in calling for a deaf dog. He proceeded to help look for him, with his dog Herbert close behind. Walter was found safe and sound, though he had escaped the confines of the dog park. The four of us have been together ever since. Though we couldn’t have known at the time that our decision to talk together that day would lead us here, we couldn’t be more grateful. Our shared quest for new experiences and passion for people and animals has only deepened our connection with each other. We’ve been able to establish a happy little life down in Portland, and look forward to coming back to where we began to celebrate with all of you, the people who we love and have always been there to support us.