We're getting married!!!

I had been on the hunt for a new pair of ski touring boots that wouldn't break the bank and found a pair of kids' boots to try on at the Seattle REI. I gave them a call and Sean picked up. He somehow made me chuckle while we were on the phone for just a few minutes. I was tired from my own work day at the Issaquah REI and debating whether I should even drive over there, but something in me told me to go that night. I arrive and make my way back to the ski shop to grab the boots. "That's one hot mom," Sean thought to himself as he hands them over, but is momentarily stunned when I take the boots over to try them on. "Those are for YOU?" Sean helps me try on the boots and we chat the whole time until store-closing about skiing, snowboarding, and rock climbing. As I'm starting to walk away, he asks if he can give me his number! He looked nervous, which was endearing. I said yes and commented on his unique last name; little did I know that it would one day be mine. It was slow moving. We started as climbing partners... then climbing partners with benefits... until one fateful Fourth of July, we stayed in and did a paint by number together. I realized that this kind of hobby was more intimate than what most "climbing partners" do together. I brought this up to him on the Sixth of July, 2022, and how I wanted to be partner-partners for realsies. He was ecstatic! Flash forward to three years later, on August 13th, 2025. We were wrapping up a busy summer of travel with family and made it out to Leavenworth for a quiet couple of days, just the two of us. We spent the first day bouldering and relaxing by the river. It was an extraordinarily hot day so I was exhausted by the time we set up camp, but it's our tradition to walk down to the rock ledge that overlooks Icicle Canyon and watch the sunset. He told me to hang out in the hammock at camp while he set up our couch (the crash pad) and the grill for dinner. I was called down shortly after, and was completely caught off guard to his plan. He took my hands, gave an amazing speech, and finally got down on one knee. We spent the next five hours on that ledge, eating, laughing, chatting, taking a million photos, and enjoying each other's company. It was the most perfect evening. We're so excited to have you join us on our special day. You all are the reasons we aren't just eloping!