We're getting married!

We met at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA in 2012. It was our first week being on campus and little did we know that we would find each other, sitting across a campfire in the middle of the forest. Although shy at first, our friends picked up on the vibes we were giving each other and set us up on a date. Talking with each other felt like we had known each other for ages, like someone finally understood the deepest parts of our souls. A special moment when you find your person, when you love with your whole heart. Grateful for college, grateful for our friends who helped push us together, grateful for love.

The pandemic was in full swing, we were both working from home, and everything was closed. The adventurer's in us were struggling with being kept indoors so we decided to do a weekly date night. Every week we would take turns planning a socially distant date for the other person. Walks, game nights, Jeep picnics, bird watching. It was Jo's week to plan to our date and she wanted it to be a surprise. It wasn't that unusual as we love to surprise each other. She told me to wear something nice. I thought maybe she was taking me to an outdoor restaurant. Maybe a winery. She drove to a gorgeous, secluded area and parked in a driveway. Still thinking that this was a winery (a badly advertised one), I get out of the car and we walk up the steps to the front door. When we get to the door, Jo punches in a code and opens it up. How did she do that? This is a strange winery! I was still oblivious to what was happening. We walk inside the cutest cabin and it is oddly quiet. Where is everyone? Who works here? That's when she asked if I wanted a tour of the place. She showed me each of the rooms, how the TV worked, the kitchen appliances. That's when it started to click for me that this was not a winery, but we got to spend the night there. She had one more room to show me and I could tell she was nervous. She took my hand and led me to a greenhouse that was attached to the back of the cabin. Inside the greenhouse there were strings of lights hanging from the ceiling, succulents thriving all around us, and a note that read Kristin on the front. It was a fairytale. After reading her very sweet message, I turn around to give her a kiss. Instead she gets down on one knee, opens the ring box, and asks me to be her wife. She could hardly get the words out before I started crying, not totally comprehending this was really happening. It was perfect, I felt pure bliss. We popped open a bottle (or two) of champagne and began the journey of our engagement!

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