In November 2023, Evan and Jennie matched on a dating app and started chatting. Evan, being curious, asked lots of questions about Jennie. Jennie, kept asking the same question, how was it possible Evan had never eaten at Chick-Fil-A before? (seriously!). Both agreed to go on a first date and see what the other person was like in real life. Evan thought it would be nice to go for coffee at the historic Edgewater hotel, and Jennie agreed, knowing there wasn’t a real coffee shop and this would be a first date in a hotel lobby. Even though it was a hotel lobby, it was beautifully decorated for Christmas and looked out over the Puget Sound. After a long conversation and some good coffee, the two parted ways with hopes of seeing each other again. Several dates later, Evan and Jennie grabbed a drink at the Smith Tower Observation deck. As they watched the sunset over the city they both had begun to call home they realized they were excited for where this relationship was headed. The defining moment for Evan, was a trip to Mt St Helen’s. The Expectation: a beautiful winter hike up to the Mt St Helen’s Lookout, and dinner at a brewery on the way home. The Reality: a 3.5 hour drive south, a closed trail and a mountain hidden behind walls of clouds. They settled for pizza and back to Seattle they went. That night they watched Saturday Night Live together and Evan knew that if Jennie was willing to drive 7 hours round trip for pizza and still wanted to spend time with him then this relationship was growing into something more. The defining moment for Jennie wasn’t really a moment. From the start Jennie thought Evan was extremely smart and had lived such an interesting life. On their second date they had a conversation about faith and doubt and Jennie couldn’t believe how heard and understood she felt. Everyone who knows Jennie knows she is a little slower to realize her feelings and can be a bit skiddish when it comes to relationships. Her love for Evan was no different but she always knew they got along well, had similar interests and that she wanted to see him again. She let those truths, along with Evan’s constant reminders that its just “you and me” and were taking this “one day at a time” guide her through the uncertainty and fear of trusting someone new. Several months in she realized Evan had become such a safe and steady presence that she couldn’t imagine life without him. Winter came to a close, and both Jennie and Evan discovered a mutual love for being outsidey (love the outdoors, but also love running water and toilets). Through almost a dozen hikes and five camping trips, the two fell in love in some of the most beautiful places around the Pacific Northwest. They also learned how to rely on each other (finished a hike with .5 out of 2 headlamps), support each other (pitched a tent in pure darkness), and work together to accomplish their goals (7.5 mile trail with 1800ft elevation gain). A trip to the Oregon coast, with a stunning view of the fog-covered beach, was really where Jennie and Evan realized that life together felt normal and exciting. They were both all the way in and wanted to spend their lives together. The two had a great weekend cooking food, walking along the water, completing a puzzle, and watching movies together. A short while later, Evan found a ring (with some help, of course) and devised a plan to propose. On January 19, 2025 Evan got down on one knee next to a frozen waterfall and popped the question. Jennie said “YES!” and on a hike, outdoors, with friends they decided on forever. There is nothing that quite captures their relationship like that day. Here’s to many more days and many more hikes!