We're getting married!

What Whitney thought was a simple family trip to Cabo turned out to be anything but. Both of the families had convinced her we were there to celebrate Quintin's birthday, so there were zero suspicions when we headed to the beach that evening. Cabo did what Cabo does best - golden sand, soft waves, and a sunset that felt almost too perfect. What she didn’t know was everyone was in on it. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the two walked down the beach and back to the house, where the surprise finally revealed itself. Whitney was actually so surprised, she thought they had accidentally walked up onto someone else's engagement as she said to Q, "Awh, someone is getting married! This is so cute!" Q laughed as he led her over to the heart of candles in the sand, the boys dropped the banner from the balcony, and it all clicked for Whitney that the set up was in fact for them. Surrounded by family, the ocean, and a moment that felt suspended in time, he asked her to marry him. She said yes, of course. It was intimate, emotional, and perfectly us. A reminder that sometimes the best surprises come when you’re convinced you’re just there for cake.

For almost 2 years, we lived in a 5th wheel. Yes, a literal 5th wheel. Tiny space, tiny kitchen, very questionable plumbing - basically, an adventure in “how much can two people really tolerate each other before someone loses it?” Looking back, we’re still not entirely sure what possessed us. Was it a love of adventure? A desire to simplify life and save money? Or maybe just sheer stubbornness? Either way, we learned a lot: how to dance around each other in a space smaller than most closets, how to make every meal feel gourmet with somewhat alternative methods, and how to always find a reason to laugh when things got, well… cramped. Would we do it again? Probably not. But did it bring us closer and give us stories we’ll never forget? Absolutely.

These days, we’re loving our big little life in Tillamook, Oregon. Quintin works at Tillamook People’s Utility District (TPUD) and spends his spare time outdoors - whether that’s hunting big game in the mountains, ducks in the bay with our Lab, Cove, or tinkering around the yard and shop. He definitely stays busy! Whitney keeps busy as Chief of Staff at Veritas Allies, navigating the fast-moving world of self-insured healthcare. She manages internal projects and client relations, working closely with leadership to keep everything on time and on track. This Winter, she also had the joy of stepping in as a volunteer coach for the Tillamook Lady Mooks basketball program, reigniting her love for the game and for working with youth through sport. This Spring, they bought their first home together in Tillamook. Cove is thrilled to finally have her own space to explore, and they are equally excited to tackle a long list of upgrades and make the house truly theirs. Life is busy, messy, and full of adventure - and these two (three) wouldn’t have it any other way!