Well, would you look at that!

We had met in passing through mutual friends, but the sparks didn't begin flying until Mary was pulled into a surprise, and extremely awkward, double date with our friends Val and Keith. According to Chris, "Since that day we have been stuck together like flies on honey [bbq wings]!".

Freezing rain, historic cobblestone, and lots of happy tears.... Later that evening we celebrated our engagement by hopping aboard the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley for a haunted tour of the local cemeteries (ahh the romance)!

We began dating in early February 2014, officially becoming a couple later that month on Chris' birthday. By May of that year, we had swapped those special three little words and began planning our first vacation: a trip the the grand canyon to celebrate Mary's college graduation. Our relationship continued to flourish and in August 2015, we decided to move in together. Our fur-babies Olivia and Crush were not too pleased in those early days, but we made it work! In January 2016, we got our sweet loving doofus, Shield. (Also, at some point Chris acquired his snake Dotty, to whom Mary remains indifferent). For the next few years, we worked to take strides in our careers, growing as individuals and growing together. Chris completed his five-year apprenticeship as a Union Sprinkler Fitter and now serves with his union brothers as a Foreman. Mary obtained her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently serves the community within the school district and in private practice. Everyday we continue to grow as a team. We got engaged in May 2018, went into escrow on our first home in December 2019, and are planning to wed in September 2020.