We're Married!

We met in 2020, in the midst of a world that had slowed down. The pandemic had closed restaurants and shifted our routines, giving us a rare chance to connect without the usual distractions of everyday life. We bonded over takeout dinners, with El Nopal quickly becoming a favorite (probably just for Casey but John accommodated lol). In the midst of the uncertainty, we joked about things like, "Do you even have friends? Are they normal? Are you rude to servers?" — as we both navigated a new kind of world. As restrictions lifted, we began to meet each other’s circles, we would bond over bonfires with family, and group hangouts with friends. Casey quickly fell for John’s quirky, off-center humor, while John admired how Casey could navigate any situation with ease and grace. Five months after we met, we decided we were ready to step out of our indoor bubble and take our first trip together— to California of all places. We traveled down Highway 1 to Big Sur, sipped wine in Napa, and explored the scenery of San Francisco. Little did we know, this trip would mark the beginning of something much bigger. Just six weeks later, Casey received a job offer that would move her to San Francisco. It was a bittersweet moment— Casey was excited but unsure if this new chapter would mean the end of what had already blossomed between us. With a heavy heart and many tears, she accepted the offer, and John, ever supportive, helped her pack up her Honda Civic for the long drive west. The plan was simple: if California didn’t feel like home for Casey, she’d return in a year. So began our long-distance journey. Facetime calls, virtual dates, late night chats and early morning calls while battling time zones, and countless flights became our new normal. Admittedly, it wasn’t easy. But after months of navigating the distance, we found that our connection and our desire to be together only grew stronger. Then came the proposal, just the two of us under the stars on the beaches of Kauai, Hawaii—John proposed with the easiest "yes" Casey had ever given and the most gorgeous ring. The question now was: how could we close the distance for good? Casey had fallen in love with both her job and the California lifestyle, and after John's frequent visits, he was starting to love it too. So, after a year of long-distance, he began his own job search in the Bay Area. It wasn’t long before John received an amazing job offer, and just like that, he became a California resident. We were finally able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life together— coffee in bed, walks with our dog on the beach, watching endless hours of RedZone football, and even hiking (a new hobby for John, who was once decidedly indoorsy). We settled into our cozy beach town, making new friends, hosting a Kentucky Derby party, and spending Thanksgiving with fellow transplants who would become our second family. Though neither of us loves being the center of attention, after a long engagement, we decided to elope in San Francisco. We gave our families just three weeks' notice, expecting them to send their well-wishes from afar. But of course, they weren’t having that. With last-minute flights and vacations cut short, they made their way to San Francisco to be with us. On Friday, October 18th, we married at the stunning City Hall, surrounded by just a few of the people we love. To celebrate, we took our families & Clyde of course to Napa—where we had our first trip together—for a memorable weekend of wine-tastings and fun.