Chris remembers the first time I walked into the YMCA, he later told me I was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he knew from that very first look, that I'd be important to him. I'd seen Chris around the gym for several weeks, but didn't take any real notice until a sunny afternoon in September when we locked eyes for the first time. It happened like this: Chris was using a piece of equipment I needed, but I was slightly intimated and didn't want to ask if he would share. However, during his next rest, I mustered up my courage and asked for a turn. To my relief, Chris was friendly and welcoming. I flashed a grateful smile and thanked him, however I still couldn't bring myself to look him full in the face. I was doing my last set when I felt my gaze tugged upward by an unexplainable force, it didn't take any courage or thought. I glanced up to discover Chris watching me. I was immediately struck by how beautiful his eyes were. My natural instinct would've been to look away, but there was a familiarity about them making me boldly stare back. It was a brief encounter, yet we both felt something pass between us in those seconds. However, I wasn't looking to meet anyone, so I brushed the moment off as accidental eye contact with a gorgeous man with piercing eyes. Our paths continued to intersect, we were consistently running into each other at the gym, and though we didn't interact, we were both aware of each other. I liked how friendly and courteous Chris treated others, and he admired my dedication. As Chris will say, it took him three months to work up the courage to talk to me. Slowly we developed an acquaintance and the more we spoke, the more drawn to each other we became until we couldn't wait to get to the gym just to see each other. It felt natural and easy from the start, like we'd known each other for years. On our first date it was undeniable we had something special. In true whirlwind-romance fashion, we fell quickly and madly in love.

It all started on our first date. We were in Chris's truck getting ready to say goodbye for the night when Chris paused and looked at me for a moment, his eyes were bright and he had the cutest grin on his face when he stated, as if it had just dawned on him, "I'm going to marry you." I smiled back and remembered thinking "Yeah. You are." In the weeks and months to follow I got surprise proposals during all sorts of activities. He'd be cooking us dinner or washing dishes and casually throw out a, "will you marry me?" Or we'd be cuddled up watching a movie when he'd whisper in my ear, "I can't wait to marry you." One time on a date to Skateland he got down on one knee (while wearing rollerblades) and proposed with one of those plastic rings you can buy from a dispenser for 25 cents. My responses sometimes varied, I'd laugh it off and ask, "what number proposal was that?" (We lost count) but other times I'd look him straight in the eye and say, "absolutely." Chris surprised me with the real proposal on the first weekend of July. We hiked to Punchbowl falls outside of Portland, Oregon, and on a lookout above the falls, Chris wrapped his arms around me, and slipped the ring into my hand, and proposed for the very last time.

Please join us at five o'clock in the evening on Saturday, October 14th for a ceremony followed by reception. We cannot wait to celebrate our union with friends and family. Our desire is to have a fun night with good food, desserts, a bonfire and lots of dancing! The venue is outside and the forecast predicts a cool day with chances of rain, we will have plenty of covered area, blankets, and a few heaters but please dress warmly and wear grass-friendly shoes. We're looking forward to seeing all of you on the big day!