🐝👋🏻🌲🛫🐻💔🛬🇨🇦😗❤️‍🔥🫱🏼‍🫲🏻🍇💍👰🏻‍♀️🤵🏻 In a way, you could say it was love at first sight… but it was technically love at first swipe (right). We matched on Bumble on August 2, 2022; Bettina was living in Tri-Cities, WA, and Dane was living in Walla Walla, WA. Per the app’s design, Bettina had to make the first move by messaging first. She would argue she is the reason we ever met. However, also by design, the match only lasts for 24 hours before it expires. Dane used his one “premium perk” to extend the match for another 24 hours as Bettina did not break the ice within the first 24. He argues he is the real reason we ever met. After almost 2-days worth of brainstorming, Bettina finally came up with the ultimate opening line… she said, “hi.” Unfortunately, ever since December of 2021, Dane had already planned on moving out of Walla Walla in early September of 2022 to move back to California. With only one month to get to know each other within reasonable proximity, we had to maintain a realistic outlook on our potential relationship. We had grown close within just one month, so the inevitable separation was not easy. We both attempted to “move on” as we entered 2023, but we kept tabs on each other occasionally. With each check in, we slowly grew back together. In May of 2023, Dane was invited to a birthday party for one of his best friends who lived in Seattle, WA. He took this as an opportunity to meet back up with Bettina while he was in Washington, and she made the 3.5 hour drive just to see him. We went on a small trip together to make the most of our time, visiting Canada and Northwest Washington. We both believe this trip is what solidified our roots together, especially since it’s also the time we both dropped the “L” word. We maintained more consistent connection while being long-distance, and became an official couple by 10/10/23. Fast forward almost a whole year later, amidst the challenges of long-distance, Dane proposed to Bettina on 10/02/24, and you’re here reading this because she said yes. From here, our story is an unwritten prequel to our wedding, and we hope that you’re able to make an appearance. Our first photo together ⤵️