Our love story is very special. We met back in 2009, Austin was one of Jacob’s close friends in school. We would occasionally see each other in passing as the years went and always had to say “hi” to each other. After a few years of friendship we saw one another at a school dance at West Valley when we were with other people. My date unfortunately was not being a good time and Austin saw me upset and came to check on me and give me a hug. To thank him for being so nice I finally got his number through mutual friends and we never stopped talking from that moment. We spent the next three years growing our friendship and never wanting to leave each other’s side. I would always make sure I went to friends houses that I knew Austin would be at and had to talk my parents into letting me stay past my curfew just so I could see him a little longer. Back then, Austin worked as a chef so getting off work at 10 pm was a good night and then having to be back up for culinary school the next morning. Austin would also take me out on coffee dates at Rocket Bakery that we would spend hours talking and laughing. In 2017, Austin and I finally told each other how we had been hiding our true feelings from one another. We officially started dating on April 2nd. Shortly after I left for military training and we spent the next 4 months communicating through letters only and an occasional phone call if we got lucky. After returning home Austin surprised me with our first apartment for my Birthday. Over the last 7 1/2 years we have spent every moment loving each other and staying best friends. We have made amazing memories between vacations, hunting trips and day to day activities. In 2023 we welcomed our beautiful little girl, Alinea and our love grew even stronger. She is the absolute light of our life On July 17, 2024 we decided to take a trip to one of our favorite places on the Oregon Coast and let our baby see the ocean for the first time. Austin was acting weird all morning and I had not a clue what he was planning. After walking on the beach I had stopped to take a picture of Austin and Alinea together and while he was crouched down he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. After finding words I finally said “yes”.