Let's get married!

Katie and Kellan met while attending school at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Katie was involved with WSU's pole vault team, while Kellan worked for the athletic department. That is when Katie first saw Kellan and she felt as if he was someone different. After a few interactions between the two throughout many months, Katie started to feel as if Kellan was someone special and worth pursuing. Nine months later, persuaded by her past track coach, Katie asked Kellan out to coffee. The two sat in the shop for 3 hours talking about anything and everything. In those three hours, everything changed. A love was created and has grown ever since. We are so extremely appreciative of each of you who love us dearly and will be celebrating with us on this special day. You all have a piece of our hearts, lets celebrate! Cheers! - Katie and Kellan

To start off, I need to share a fact about Katie June. When it comes to surprises, she is NOT a fan. Whatever occasion, it's a challenge to keep a secret from her. While challenging, this gave me the chance to create a special moment. For context, Katie and I have been living in separate cities since July 2021. In May 2021, I accepted a teaching position in my hometown of La Center, WA while Katie had one year of nursing school left in Spokane, WA. Being on opposite sides of the state, this limited the number of weekends in which a proposal could happen. As we settled into the school year, Katie was set to visit two weekends in October. There were suspicions by Katie that, most likely, her parents were going to be present for the big moment. Katie’s mom, Laura, was supposed to attend a wedding in Arizona the first weekend of October. Using the wedding as cover, Laura told Katie that she would be going to the wedding as Katie made a trip to La Center. As the weekend began, I was careful to sidestep any questions encouraging her to not get her hopes up about a proposal. Little did she know, as we departed LC the morning of October 2nd, to hike in the Columbia River Gorge, I had the ring. As we drove on Washington’s Highway 14, we reached the Cape Horn Overlook. This displays a view of the Columbia River. In an attempt to look nonchalant, I pulled the car to the side of the road for us to look at the view. As we exited the car, I fumbled in my backpack for the ring. Katie was already walking around when I approached and took a knee. With the view below us, Katie June and I took a step into the future with excitement. That evening, another surprise came when Katie realized her mom was, in fact, not in Arizona. Jim and Laura made the trip from Woodinville to Vancouver, WA to celebrate the engagement with my parents, Ian and Kelly. That evening we ate, drank, and laughed as one family. A celebration to cap off a day neither Katie June nor myself will ever forget.