It all started with two bees searching for the same honey on Bumble. The first date was filled with two beers and a three- and half-hour conversation (that seemed like only 20 minutes) at The Yard in Greenwood. Within the first two months, Melissa and Mark embarked on some incredible dates like going to The Gunderson’s Family Christmas concert (Melissa also lost a bet to wear Mark’s cheese head that night because of a Packer victory over the Seahawks), Santa-con, day dates around Pike Place, cooking numerous meals together, and learning that Melissa loves peonies and baths and Mark has some weird infatuation with ultimate frisbee and lighthouses. After those first few months, they wanted to be in each other lives and teach each other things. Melissa has taught Mark how to eat healthier and Mark has taught Melissa how to be a Packer Fan. From there they have gone on some incredible vacations together, spent quality time with their family and friends, moved in together, and are continually falling in love with one another and look forward to dating each other for the rest of their lives.

One of Melissa and Mark’s favorite dates have been day dates downtown Seattle at Pike Place. They enjoy drinking Smithwick’s at Kell’s, eating happy hour sushi at Japonessa, going to Old Stove Brewery, picking flowers at Pike Place and walking around enjoying each other’s company. On Sunday, August 25th 2019, nervous and giddy Mark (who couldn't stop nervously clearing his throat) took Melissa on a day date to Pike Place. While hiding the ring in his pocket for four hours, they headed to their sushi spot, bought some flowers, and walked down to the pier. Mark, who has never been on the Seattle Great Wheel on the pier before mentioned he wanted to try it out and that is where Mark got down on his knee. With Foy Vance’s Bangor Town playing on his phone, he slid down in the small pod and asked the woman of his dreams and his lighthouse to marry him and Melissa said yes!