Our journey together started online. Chris had an instinct that the intriguing woman behind the Match nickname "Sparkle Wolf" would be extraordinary and boldly invited Lisa to dinner. Chris donned his favorite hat, and Lisa fondly recalled how dapper he appeared wearing it, or at least, she recalled that he wore a hat, and together they shared a lovely dinner. Chris was a little shy, and Lisa did most of the talking (surprised?), and while saying goodbye, Lisa decided to leave it up to fate whether Chris asked for a second date, wondering if he was too shy to do so. Luckily, Chris mustered the courage to ask, and Lisa’s response was a resounding, “Yes!” From that moment forward, we embarked on a beautiful journey together. We quickly recognized our shared joy in simply being in one another's presence, talking about big things or ordinary daily things. Even to this day, when dining out, we prefer sitting at the bar, allowing us to lean into each other without a table between us. Our first trip together whisked us away to the beach with our beloved pups, Lucas and Daisy. By day we enjoyed the beach, by night, we made dinner and hosted our own impromptu dance parties. It was then we realized we both loved to be a little silly and were not afraid to show off our dance moves, such as they are. Our first big adventure was a bicycle trip through the stunning San Juan Islands, where we left our car behind and explored the rolling countryside of the islands over several days. There were hills (such large hills), sore muscles, a flat tire, rainy days, and a camel. There was also great fun, trust, beauty and a shared ability to go with the flow. The experience was spectacular, and we realized we were excellent travel partners. As time went on, we grew into a wonderful, blended family, welcoming Chris's sons, Gabe and Henry, and other cherished family and friends into our life together. Our family moments were filled with game nights, kayaking, camping, backpacking, visits to the Coast, Black Butte Ranch, Disneyland, and Mexico, creating cherished memories along the way. Our shared adventures have been plentiful, filled with laughter, but we have also weathered our share of challenges. We faced numerous losses, including three of our four parents, cherished pets, and dear friends. Just as we discovered our compatibility during exciting journeys, we also learned to extend love and support during our most trying times. And, of course, there was the unparalleled challenge of COVID. Not only were we both “front line” workers, but we moved in together while simultaneously embarking on a significant remodel of Chris's home during that time. We bonded through the chaos, seamlessly making decisions about big and little things with ease and affirming our ability to navigate life’s hurdles hand in hand. We are now settled into our beautiful home, and while we continue to navigate the grief of our losses, we hold gratitude in our hearts for our friends, family, and the privileges we enjoy. We find joy in our shared moments cocooned in our home, but we also cherish the opportunity to host friends and family for holidays and spectacular dance parties. Man, our friends can dance!!! After eleven beautiful years, Chris finally orchestrated the perfect moment to propose to Lisa. On a stunning diving excursion, he popped the question one evening on a picturesque dock with the Caribbean Ocean as our backdrop. It is worth mentioning here that he presented a stunning ring that used to belong to his grandmother, on a dock, with slats open to the ocean below them. Fortunately, Chris’ hands were steady as a rock and Lisa’s enthusiastic response was, once again, “Yes!”, followed a little confusingly by “Holy Shit Balls!”. If you are reading this, it means you are dear to our hearts, and we can’t wait to share the joy of our wedding day with you…or perhaps we just want an excuse for another epic dance party.