We’re getting married!

Looking back, it’s surprising how many times we could have met before we actually did. We both worked at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles at the same time. We even went to the same Fourth of July screening of Dirty Dancing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. But despite all those near-misses (and more cinematic options), we met the modern way—on a dating app. Not the most compelling meet-cute, we know, but somehow, it worked out perfectly. Our first date was at a bar in West Hollywood, where we ended up talking and laughing for four hours, closing the place down without even realizing it. We didn’t plan it, but the connection was easy. We became best friends without trying, and falling in love felt just as natural. Our early dates often lasted until 4 am, talking, laughing, and being total goofs. Years later, not much has changed; we’re still up late, and still trying to make each other laugh (especially when Kurtis is brushing his teeth). After a year of dating, Cora got accepted into medical school in Montana and asked Kurtis to come along. He said yes, and together we packed a U-Haul, hitched a trailer to the car, and drove 20 hours to Billings to start our next chapter. Kurtis proposed on December 27, 2024, in Monterey, one of Cora's favorite places. His original plan was to have a romantic moment at the Monterey Bay Aquarium… but it was as packed as a sardine can. Instead, we shared an ice cream and watched the sunset at Lover's Point Beach. Unfortunately, that area quickly became overrun with other onlookers, so we got back in the car and drove around, hoping to find a spot with a view. That's when we stumbled upon the Asilomar Conference Grounds, where we parked and walked to the beach. The mist was rolling in, and it was at the tail end of sunset when Kurtis got down on one knee and proposed. While there were a few hiccups throughout the day, it was a moment that was perfectly ours and a story we will cherish forever.