It all started on September 15th, 2018 a lively night at one of Kelia’s favorite Portland spots she often went to and knew well. John was there for the very first time, celebrating his groomsman Rob’s birthday with friends. We first noticed each other from across the patio—stealing glances, trying not to be too obvious. There was a little spark already. So Kelia decided to be bold. She walked right up to John, threw an arm around his waist, and said a simple, confident “Hi.” That was all it took. The conversation started (with Rob mentioning John's a pilot even though he'd only done an introductory flight at that point), the connection formed, and something just clicked. Later that night, as if fate wanted to be extra sure we’d connect, John’s best man Tugs lost his phone—and somehow Kelia was the one who found it. At the time, we lived in different cities—John in Salem, Kelia in Portland—so making time together wasn't always easy. One of our first real hangouts was at a music event at the Bossanova Ballroom where Kelia met John’s work crew for the first time. The night was filled with music, laughter, and ended the perfect way: with slices from Sizzle Pie next door. It was fun, easy, and the beginning of our story. As we spent more time together, everything began to fall into place. Our lives blended naturally. Our joys, our struggles—they became shared. We became partners in the truest sense. John’s pitbull-lab Zeus, the four-legged guardian of his heart became Kelia’s constant companion. She officially stepped into her role as dog mom, and Zeus couldn’t have been happier. In May of 2022 we added a fourth member to our family, another pitbull-lab. Not just because we wanted another dog, but because we loved everything about Zeus. His loyalty, wisdom, and gentle spirit set the standard for what a great dog could be. We thought we were getting a second Zeus, instead we got Luna — short for Lunática — because she’s a little wild. We knew we needed his help to guide and shape Luna. Luna is here because of Zeus, and through her a piece of him lives on. In October six months later came Kelia’s birthday. What she thought was a birthday party at the Doug Fir Lounge turned into the moment we’ll never forget. Surrounded by our friends right as we were about to cut the cake, John got down on one knee and asked the question that changed everything. It was a surprise to everyone! (Spoiler: she said yes.) In 2023 we began seeing the world together. Our first international trip was to Costa Rica, where we chased waterfalls, explored lush rainforests, and fell even more in love with adventure—and each other. In March of 2023, we experienced one of the most difficult chapters in our journey together when we lost Zeus at 11 and a half years old. Our hearts were broken, and our pack of four became three much sooner than we ever expected. In the midst of that grief, we discovered just how deeply we could lean on each other. It was a painful time, but it showed us the strength of our partnership — that even in the hardest moments, we’re never alone. In February 2024, we celebrated John’s 30th birthday in Cancun with sun-soaked days and mezcalitas by the beach. A few months later, we flew to the Netherlands for a friend’s wedding in the countryside, and then set off to Switzerland on the kind of European adventure we've always dreamed of. Trips like these remind us just how lucky we are to experience so much of the world side by side. Now, as we prepare for our biggest adventure yet—marriage—we’re taking a short travel break and pouring our hearts into planning a day we’ll never forget. On September 20th, 2025, we’ll say “I do” and celebrate the beautiful journey that brought us here. We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with you.