We Eloped!

We first started as friends - long conversations about everything and nothing, discussing books and podcasts. From there, it grew steadily. Like the time we painted in 100-degree heat while Brandon was on a medication that made him profusely sweat. Or realizing the next morning that we had actually painted blue and not brown. Then sanding and staining for days on end after that. Or wallpapering and realizing halfway through that we were crooked and had to either continue or restart, with Kate lying on the ground in defeat until we could find our way through. In the end, it was a compromise like anything else, but don’t mention how crooked it is; we are never doing that again! Brandon touched Kate with his endearing, steady, honest nature and genuine kindness. This is a man with a weekly alarm not only to put the trash cans out, but also to bring them back in; a monthly alarm for Relationship Check-Ins, and, of course, many other alarms in between. How caring he is - carrying Cashew (95 pounds) up and down the stairs before we got him on proper medication. The delicious meals he cooks, and his ability to be so steady while still so open-minded, is inspiring. Kate touched Brandon with her freedom and confidence. He admires her ability to not only sing in the shower, but also make up something new as she goes that's good enough to sound like it's a real song. But it's not just her creativity that strikes him, she is also incredibly brave, jumping into a new career field that's more technical than anything she's done before. Kate never hesitates to do what she believes to be right. Of course, that includes things that Brandon may disagree with, like opening the dishwasher mid-cycle to put in another plate, but that's just part of what makes her such a catch. Over time, our families merged - and now we’re complete with our pups Pippin, Peach, and Cashew! Together, we’ve navigated job changes on both sides, $16K in water damage to the house (thanks, Costco), the loss of Brandon’s father, Cashew’s arthritis diagnosis, Peach's heart murmur, and countless other ups and downs. Through it all, we’ve been each other’s constant. We eloped on a Tuesday because finding each other has always felt like a Tuesday - somehow both unbelievably remarkable, and at the same time, as though we’ve always been there. A big part of merging our lives has been choosing to do things in ways that feel authentically us - like Brandon also wearing an engagement ring, and both of us changing our last name to Rose, after Kate’s late Grandma. Though we’re not having a large wedding, we carry each of you with us and are endlessly grateful. Being surrounded by such amazing people is not something we take lightly, and we hope you’ll continue to support us as we travel through life together. Love, Kate & Brandon

Follow this link for a full gallery of our engagement and wedding photos! https://photos.app.goo.gl/MTzPXMYvfQTieQPp6