love by the river

Welcome to the love story of Emma Claire Lindsay and Samuel Austin Tanner. One was born on the spring equinox, the other the summer solstice - and with so many first names between the two of them that they could sink a ship. These two found each other giving glances in a class at Western Washington in 2017, and finally met after seeing one another on a dating app, messaging each other that same day to get together that afternoon. On August 19, 2018 they met in the Fairhaven parking lot, Emma left her red Toyota Tacoma and hopped in Sam's Astro Van to head to the beach. She had brought her roommate Victoria's dog (Pepper) for company/ icebreaking conversation. From that date came a few more and soon the month had quickly passed and it was time for Emma to take her big trip to Nepal to study abroad. She felt conflicted as it was still a young relationship but had moved at a pace and intensity that felt like it could go on for a long time... she decided to leave Sam a note when he dropped her off at the Vancouver Airport. He will later describe this as the worst letter she could have possibly written for him. When Emma returned from her travels there was a rocky beginning of culture shock and not being in school (while all her friends still were) that put her in a bit of a funk. It took Sam's initiation to bring her to one of their favorite tap houses and laid out how he was feeling - that he was all in on this if she would be too. It was exactly what she needed to hear, and from then on things started looking up. Emma and Sam spent their first year getting to know one another on many little adventures out in the woods. He redesigned the Astro Van so it could accommodate 2 people more comfortably (he actually did this twice over the years they had the van). He taught her how to mountain bike, and how to ski in thick powder up at Baker. She taught him about feelings, how to express them and communicate them. Their next few years involved many projects including ripping out the carpets and refinishing the floors of Emma's house. There was also a kitchen remodel of the bottom cabinets, a new sink and a mini dishwasher where there had previously not been one, and tiled backsplash. In September of 2020 Sam moved in as the last of Emma's roommates had moved out to live in new wonderful places. From there began the transition to being roommates themselves, learning to delegate chores and re-work the home into a more cozy layout for just 2 people. Still going on the weekend adventures and the day to day activities they grew to talking about their future and what they wanted in the next few years....

The summer of 2022 Sam asked one day if Emma would like to go camping the following Friday, up to a spot that they loved to camp near town. She said she would love to. That Monday before they were to camp, Emma got a cold. Sam made sure to ask her what he could do for her, whether that be getting medicine, buying her favorite treats and he even stopped over to the house on his lunch break to bring her soup. This was all taken as him being generous and loving and Emma thought nothing else of it. On Friday, September 9th Sam asked if she was up for camping, assuring her that he would make sure everything in the truck was comfortable for her, and that some fresh air would do her good. She said yes, and they went. After finding an available spot to camp, Sam got out the coconut popsicles they had picked up on the way for Emma's soar throat. He suggested going for a walk around to check out the creek and let Finley get out and around. So they started across the braided creek and Emma made sure to remove her socks and slip them in her leggings pocket so that they didn't get wet. Once on the main bank Sam then suggested they take a timed photo. This was something Emma had been encouraging as they went out on trips together just the two of them, and they had always turned out fun and a good way to remember the special places they found. So though it was a surprise for Sam to have been the one to suggest it, she was elated that he had thought of it and made busy getting Finley in the shot while he set up the phone against a rock. She went to put her arm around him to fit in the frame when his hand went to her own shoulder and turned her to face him. Popsicle stick still in her hand she didn't know what to say or do when he got down on one knee. Looking up to meet her eyes, he asked her simply, "Emma Lindsay, will you marry me?" With the shock of it all, and the fuzzy head from still having the cold, she responded, "is this real life?" He nodded. She let her head wrap around this information, and while nodding and shaking, responded with a "yeah". He slid the ring on her finger, the most beautiful ring, and hugged her tight for a long time.

On May 10th of 2019 Sam and Emma stopped to check out a few different animal shelters on a drive down to her mom's house for Mother's Day. When they came to the one in Everett, Sam pointed down at a little 6 month old black and brown puppy laying on the floor of a little room, head on his paws, looking up at them. Emma honestly wouldn't have looked twice at this little fella, mainly because he was smaller, and she had pictured Sam choosing a larger dog. He looked so sad, he was shaking while the other dogs were barking loudly for attention. Sam motioned for her to come look, he said "Lets take this guy out and see what he's like." They got someone to come over but took them to this tiny room that freaked out the little black dog. A trainer came over who was clearly more in charge and took them all out to the grassy field. The little black dog was excited to be outside, he ran around and jumped up and said hello to the trainer while making cautious laps around Sam and Emma. Finally he approached Emma's hand and sniffed it, but that was all. Sam did not even pet the little scrappy puppy before he said yes to adopting him.... Sam signed the papers, he was given some towels, a blanket and a temporary collar and leash. When they got into the car the most amazing transformation happened. The little black dog leapt into their faces with kisses and an exuberant wagging tail. He knew he was free and he knew he was going home with Sam.