We Eloped!

We went on our first date in 2021. We spent the morning surfing at San Onofre State Beach, trading stories and little waves. After working up an appetite, we sat down for a quick lunch that turned into a long, effortless, and vulnerable conversation. Olivia had a hunch that Colin might really like her as this all took place after he got off an overnight shift. It didn't take long for us to know that we wanted to build a life together. We have spent the last few years traveling, becoming part of each other’s families, and setting the foundation for our future. We got engaged in our home in Costa Mesa, California in the early hours of January 1, 2025. Since deciding to make things official, life has been a whirlwind! A few weeks after getting engaged, Olivia met a little dog named Chuck that needed a home. We weren’t looking for a dog but, after visiting him in the shelter, we decided that we didn't just want a dog, we wanted Chuck! Alas, we found out that we could not have a dog where we had been living so the only option became clear: break our lease and move to a dog-friendly place. All the while, Colin was applying to graduate programs around the country for nurse anesthesia. In March 2025, we found out that Colin was accepted into a program and that we would be moving to Portland, Maine the following year. We spent the rest of the year learning how to be dog parents, soaking up the Southern California sun, Colin started school remotely, and we began planning our move. The time to leave California approached faster than we could have anticipated. As it grew closer, we realized that we wanted to get married on the west coast, where we fell in love. We booked a room in the Santa Barbara courthouse and planned an elopement in six-weeks time. A dear friend officiated a small ceremony on December 13, 2025. We exchanged vows in the company of a few cherished friends. Since then, we packed up our stuff, tied some surfboards to the roof of our car, secured Chuck's bed in the backseat, and drove from Southern California to Portland, Maine. Olivia has continued to do her work throughout all of this and Colin is in his second semester of school. We signed a lease on a lovely home here and are looking forward to moving in soon. As we said, it has been a whirlwind! Because life shows no signs of slowing down, we wanted to try and take a moment to pause, reflect, and cherish our union in the company of those we love. We would be delighted if you could join us to share a bite and some beers together this August.