It all started in 2019 at Five Restaurant, where we met as coworkers and quickly caught each other’s eye. But it wasn’t until 2021 that Cole made his move and took Marissa on their first date because how could she resist a trip to the zoo? After that, we were inseparable, and just two weeks later, we made it official! It didn’t take long for our families to embrace each other, which has been such a meaningful and special part of our journey. We’ve each gained new siblings, with Cole gaining Sage and Knox, and Marissa gaining Connor and a soon-to-be sister-in-law, Alyssa. More than that, we’ve also gained new sets of incredible parents who have loved and supported us like their own. Feeling so welcomed and cared for by each other’s families has made this chapter of our lives even more unforgettable. We’ve learned to appreciate and support each other’s passions and quirks. Marissa is a proud Swiftie, and Cole has fully embraced the Taylor Swift lifestyle... if you've seen the guest room, you know what we mean. Cole enjoys gaming in his free time, and while that world was new to Marissa, she loves how it keeps him connected with his friends. Plus, it gives her the perfect window to indulge in new hobbies! Over the years, we’ve graduated, traveled, rescued our fur-babies (Drew the cat, Deja the dog), and even added a mini dachshund, Daisy, to the family. Life together has been nothing short of sweet, and we’re so excited to keep counting down the days until September 27, 2025 when we finally say “I do”!

July 13th was already a special day for us, it was Deja’s first birthday, and we planned to celebrate by taking her to the beach! (Spoiler alert: the beach was not her favorite.) We spent the day in Santa Cruz, enjoying a beautiful morning together as a little family. We explored Capitola, visited a mini aquarium, took a walk by the water, and of course picked up some birthday treats for Deja. That evening, before our dinner reservations, Cole suggested we take some family photos by the beach. Little did Marissa know, this was all part of his plan. He found the perfect, quiet spot along the shore, and just as Marissa was looking out at the water, Cole got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. It was the most magical, unforgettable moment. We made our calls, shared the news, and even got a few congratulations from strangers, mainly because Marissa couldn’t stop talking (very loudly) about the proposal! When we got back into town, Cole had one last surprise: a celebratory dinner at Five Restaurant with our families. It was truly the best weekend of our lives.