Like many other active young people nowadays, Rochelle and Christian don't have time for traditional dating. Fortunately they both had a plethora of dating apps at their disposal. Although their first conversations didn't kindle any sparks, Rochelle wasn't looking too seriously, and Christian was casting a wide net, and simultaneously setting a record for most dates in downtown Seattle in one day. Needless to say, when the timing was right, a texting conversation led to a phone call, which turned into a four-hour conversation and spilling of our intentions, aspirations, and outlooks on spirituality. Both Christian and Rochelle recall knowing after they hung up the phone well after midnight that this was something special. Some would call it fate, others call it online dating. Either way, we call it a match made in heaven.

My girlfriends bailed... come with me maybe? It's no secret that Rochelle and Christian both love to travel. When Rochelle's plans to travel to Patagonia with her girlfriends fell through, it came as no surprise that Christian volunteered to join her. Despite only having met 50 days prior, spending three weeks hiking in the Andes sounded like a good test of the relationship.

Over the next 10 months, Rochelle and Christian balanced their new jobs with exploring trails, kayaking, baking, doing puzzles (quarantine, anyone?!), making up silly songs, getting a falcon, and snuggling Maui. Although it had not yet been a year, Christian decided it was time to finally ask the question he had been wanting to ask for months. Knowing how important it was for Rochelle to be surrounded by her girlfriends, he popped the question after a morning run (improvising when Rochelle declined the route leading to the water) on the sidewalk in front of the home that would eventually become "ours". She said yes, and he presented her with a beautiful diamond ring.

2021 started as a difficult year for many people, including several of our family members who struggled with health issues, unfortunately resulting in the hospitalization of multiple grandparents. As many uncertainties loomed on the horizon, one thing was certain: Rochelle and I wanted to be married and have our grandparents there. October 1st was still a long way off, it became clear we needed to do something sooner to ensure that this wish would come to fruition. We decided to form our legal union in front of an audience of saltwater and snow-capped mountains, surrounded by our socially distanced inner circle of siblings, parents, and grandparents. Rochelle's pastor Tyler (who will also be our officiant on October 1st) laid the spiritual foundation and we signed the paperwork. While we are now legally married, we have saved exchanging our vows, rings, formal wear, and other niceties for our October 1st wedding ceremony--which we can't wait to spend the day and celebrate with YOU!