Like many modern couples, Courtney and Brad met online. Dating apps can be a drag—so many fish that need tossing right back into the sea. But Brad stood out. He was witty, thoughtful, and genuine, so Courtney decided to take a chance on online dating and meet a match in person for the first time. Having agreed to meet at a local bar—Brad was late, just back from the hop fields—and by the time he arrived, Courtney had already been waylaid by an elderly bar patron quizzing her about the future of Oregon fisheries. Brad graciously extracted her, and they hit it off right away. Both were cautious about diving back into the dating world, but Courtney knew she wanted to see him again… after she texted a picture of his license plate to a friend married to a local police officer and confirmed that he hadn’t encountered him in the course of his duties before. (Safety first.) Then a week passed. No call from Brad. Courtney, feeling dejected, texted a sympathetic friend—only to realize she’d accidentally sent her lament to Brad himself. Whoops. He took it in stride, and they met up again. The rest, as they say, was meant to be. Brad quickly won over Courtney’s eccentric and very opinionated dog (who normally hated men but warmed to him instantly), even though she insisted the couch was reserved for her and her mom and Brad would need to find alternative seating. Since then, they’ve built something strong—through job changes, pandemic years, injuries, grueling backpacking trips, bear encounters, hunger-induced meltdowns, house projects, and an unexpected turn toward a farming lifestyle. Through it all, Courtney brought what she calls “zest” to their life together—pushing Brad toward new experiences, new places, new ways of seeing the world. And Brad has been her steady force, the quiet presence that keeps her grounded when she drifts too high or worries too much. Together, they strive for a life full of laughter, creativity, resilience, and love. No matter what the world throws at them, they know they have each other—unshakable, unwavering—until the hard moments pass and the light returns. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are so honored to have you in our lives. Each of you has helped shape who we are, and in doing so, helped shape the love we share. Thank you for being part of our story—we can’t wait to celebrate with you.