Alex and Madelyn met at a concert at the Doug Fir. Alex had only been in Portland for two weeks when the only other person in town that he knew, Brett, invited him to a concert. Madelyn had been invited to the same concert by her best friend Ryan who was supposed to meet up with Brett. Quickly after meeting Alex, Madelyn managed to get separated from the group. This was not the first time that this had happened and Ryan knew that when this happens with Madelyn, it's no big deal. Madelyn just finds a comfy place in the crowd to dance and enjoy the music. But Alex was determined to find her. He dragged Ryan around the venue for hours until the end of the concert when he and Madelyn ran into each other going opposite directions on the stairs. Alex told Madelyn that he had been looking for her. Madelyn was surprised and touched by his concern for her. The four new friends went to a bar near by and Madelyn and Alex were inseparable for the rest of the night. That's when they both realized this could be something special.

It was Cinco De Mayo, about a week after Alex and Madelyn first met. Madelyn asked Alex to get some tacos with her at this spot in Northeast Portland. Por Que No is a little hole in the wall and on Cinco De Mayo the line was out the door and around the corner. The two stood in line for an hour and a half chatting, laughing, and having a great time. If you know Alex, you know he is a total social butterfly, so when he saw the couple in front of them taking a selfie he immediately offered to take their photo and struck up a conversation. It happened to be this couple's 20th wedding anniversary and they told Alex and Madelyn all about their love story. When they found out it was Alex & Madelyn's first date they insisted on taking our photo too. "You know," they said, "Just in case you two end up having a 20th anniversary some day."

Madelyn was suspicious when her girl friends invited her out to the gorge to go wine tasting one Saturday. The Royal Wedding was the same day, so her friends suggested that they dress up in honor, which made Madelyn even more suspicious. Madelyn knew she was the only one in this friend group who even cared about the Royal Wedding. But Madelyn went along with it and everyone put on their fancy clothes and went wine tasting. The girls went to three different wineries (which Madelyn later found out was all orchestrated by Alex). At the first, Madelyn's heart was racing expecting Alex to be there, ready to propose. But he never appeared. Madelyn decided he must be at the second winery, he wanted a little build up. But again, he never appeared. When Alex didn't appear at the third winery Madelyn was convinced that he would not be proposing that day. She was a little disappointed but so grateful to have a great day with her girl friends. Her friends suggested that they go to Rowena Crest for a picnic since the wild flowers were in bloom. When they arrived it was sunset and the flowers were incredible, it was absolutely gorgeous! As Madelyn and her friends walked down the path to their spot Madelyn noticed candles. When she looked up Alex was standing in a clearing surrounded by candles, waiting for her. She went to him, he got down on one knee and asked if they could spend the rest of their lives together. Of course Madelyn said, "YES!" Then they heard rustling and all of the friends that weren't able to come wine tasting popped out from behind a bush! Madelyn and Alex got to celebrate this truly joyous moment in the most beautiful place with their wonderful friends and it was all thanks to Alex.