How we met “hinges” on who you ask. Elizabeth’s version - After matching on a dating app, we decided to meet at a local coffee shop and take a stroll around Greenlake! The first lap went so well, we decided to do another lap. Two years later, we moved to the Greenlake neighborhood, 2 blocks from that first coffee shop. Mason’s Version- Elizabeth reluctantly decided to take some time off her big-city job and return to her small hometown for the holidays. There, she met Mason, a handsome, down-to-earth carpenter for orphanages. Though she had a big project due, Mason’s rustic charm taught Elizabeth the true meaning of Christmas and convinced her to stay. You decide which you would prefer to believe.

Luckily our stories align on this one - We went on a van trip around New Zealand in October 2025. Elizabeth suspected the engagement to happen on the trip, but did not know the when/where. While we were there, Mason arranged for us to go alpine horse back riding up the side of a mountain. The ride was steep, but the horses were easily able to climb to the top. Here, we hopped down for some photos and when I turned around, he was on one knee. He had arranged for a charcuterie board and champagne to be brought so we toasted our new engagement on the mountain!