We met on a blind date on May 3, 2019 in Portland. It was an instant connection and neither of us wanted the night to end. We kept bouncing around from restaurant to restaurant and had plans for our next date before the night was over. Our relationship progressed quickly, by typical standards, however it felt so natural to us. By the end of June, we held a cookout with both sides of our families to all meet and get to know each other. From that day forward, we've spent almost every day and night together. By the beginning of September, we decided to take the plunge and move in together and became a home of three, with Hadley.

On Christmas morning, Hadley reached for a gift from her Dad under the tree. She opened a tiny, precious white gold ring with her birthstone and "I love you HPB" engraved. Chris explained to Hadley that this ring means that no matter what, he will always love her and that she will always be his little girl. He then whispered into her ear and Hadley came running toward me and whispered into my ear, "Daddy has a ring for you too". Before I knew it, Chris was down on one knee in front of me. Before he had a chance to take the ring and put it on my finger, Hadley grabbed it from him and put it on my finger herself! It was a perfect moment, the three of us at home on Christmas Day. As we saw family and friends the coming days, Hadley loved having a ring to show off to everyone too. I wouldn't change it for the world!