It’s date number two and we are kickin' it at a back-alley arcade bar called “Vidiot”. Yeah, that’s right. We’ve only just met but the competition is getting FIERCE. Katie effortlessly takes Anthony down in a round of Big Buck Hunter. Piece of cake. Then Anthony strikes back on a janky Soprano’s themed pinball machine (probably cheated). Back and forth we go, making our way through the funny collection of free, kinda broken vintage video games, throwing back crummy beer, swapping silly stories, and upping the ante. We are seated at a racing game, pedal to the metal when we hear the bartender yelling out “last call!” With a devious look in her eyes, Katie says, “whoever loses plans the next date ;) ” Despite Anthony's best efforts to crash Katie's Mario-Kart, including grabbing her steering wheel, she crosses the finish line in first place. Helloooo Smith Tower! Anthony clearly did not let his epic defeat damper his spirits! From the divey local haunt to the glitzy glamorous speakeasy overlooking all of Seattle—this guy knows how to level up! We had the very best time getting gussied and pretending to be fancy…sipping on craft cocktails in the beautiful Art Deco birds nest atop Smith Tower. As the sun set over the sound and the city lights below began to flicker, we were both positive that there wasn’t a place in all of Seattle more romantic then where we were in that moment. May 6, 2022—four years since our first venture up to Smith Tower. Anthony has planned a special night out to celebrate this anniversary…but Katie 1000000% knows this won’t be just any four-year anniversary (Anthony claims Katie didn't know...but she totally knew ;P ). Anthony had been trying to plan the perfect proposal for months. Maybe pop the question while skiing Crystal Mountain, or perhaps during a quiet camping weekend on Ross Lake? Maybe something simple and spontaneous in our cute tiny apartment?! Anthony sneakily collaborated with Katie's sister and mom to retrieve a very special family heirloom engagement ring. Now all he had to do was make the move! After contemplating for some time, the answer revealed itself. It must be Smith Tower! This spot has always had a special place in our hearts. From that third date on - anytime we wanted to treat ourselves we'd put on some buttons and have a cocktail in the clouds. Want to know how Katie definitely didn't know? She was scheduled to be out of town for the Anniversary! But as fate would have it, her plans and a slew of other serendipitous mishaps would lead to all the right cancellations. Alas, the date was set, May 6th 2022, our 4 year anniversary at Smith Tower. As we got ready to go, Anthony slipped the ring box into his peacoat. We rode the ancient elevator to the tippity top of the building like we had done many times before. Anthony had the whole staff in on his plan. We ordered the drinks and stepped out on the viewing deck. It felt like we had the city to ourselves! Without wasting any time, Anthony got down on one knee, said all the right mushy gushy sweet things, and we both cried like little babies (mostly Anthony) as Katie said "Hell yeah let's do it!" _____________________________________________________________________________ We've been on this journey for five years. Like the BEST five years. Doing life together feels so good; always bringing out the best in each other and having a heck of a lot of fun along the way. And we are so dang excited to get married. We are HONORED to share this day with all of you. This is going to be a VERY FUN chapter in our story--literally can't wait! Thank you all for making our lives awesome and helping us become who we are today. This celebration is as much about you as it is about us. Cheers to all of it and beyond! xoxo- Katie + Anthony