It all started on the very last day of 2022 in Ballard, Washington. We were both out with friends to ring in the new year, neither of us knowing we were about to meet our favorite person. Somewhere between the countdown and the confetti, we ended up deep in conversation about… psychology books. (Not exactly your typical party topic, but we were both hooked.) I was impressed by Brandon’s endless knowledge about pretty much everything (seriously, ask him anything!) Throughout 2023, we stayed in touch as friends, texting, calling, and cheering each other on. Brandon supported me as I started grad school to become a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and I encouraged Brandon in his own growth. When I came back to Seattle to visit my best friend, Crystal, for New Year’s, Brandon decided it was time to take a chance. He invited me to the Seattle Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Party. I said yes, only to find out later that Brandon had been harboring feelings for me all along. He sealed the deal with a date to Korean BBQ, which won my heart almost as much as he had. After a few months of long-distance “are we doing this?” talks, we decided to go all in. We officially became a couple on March 8, 2024. What started as two people nerding out about psychology books at a New Year’s party turned into our favorite story ever: one of friendship, love, and the perfect combination of late-night phone calls and Korean BBQ.

From the moment Brandon and I officially started dating, we were both clear about one thing: we were in it with the intention of getting married. We knew long distance would be tough if we didn’t have a shared goal, timeline, and an end in sight. We agreed it made the most sense for me to stay in Southern Oregon to keep working as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and O&M specialist in training, surrounded by the mentors who have taught me so much, until I finish grad school this spring. In May, Brandon made a special trip to ask my dad for his blessing to marry me. We think Dad said yes. (He definitely didn’t say no!) That summer, I found myself wondering almost every day if this might be it. Brandon came to Colorado for two weeks while I was doing my blindfold and cane skills class. He even took me to some breathtaking spots in the Rocky Mountains, the perfect proposal settings, but nope. No ring yet. A week after I finished my class, we went on a cruise to Alaska. When we docked in Juneau, Brandon told me he had booked a private tour and said I would need to wear hiking clothes. So, if you have seen our engagement photos and wondered about my super casual outfit, now you know. That afternoon we waited at the pier for our guide. I will admit I was a little surprised when she pulled up in an unmarked vehicle, but she was sweet and enthusiastic, so off we went. She drove us to Mendenhall Glacier Park and started showing us around. After a few minutes, she suddenly slipped off the trail and into the brush. Before I could even wonder why, Brandon turned to me and said “Leah is not actually our tour guide, she’s a photographer because this is a proposal” as he dropped to one knee, and, looking pretty nervous, asked, “Would you be my wife?” I was so excited I immediately yelled, “YES!” He started laughing and said, “Wait, I had more I wanted to say!” It was the perfect surprise: simple, heartfelt, and completely us.

After we tie the knot, Emma will be heading north to join Brandon in Washington! He’s currently based in Bothel, and we’re hoping to find our first home together in Everett or the surrounding areas, close to a good school district. Brandon will continue detailing cars to perfection, and Emma will begin her journey as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist or Teacher of the Visually Impaired (or maybe both!). Let the house hunting and job searching begin!