Our journey began in February 2020 at Karl Strauss Brewing Co., where Natalie worked as a server and Clayton as an engineer. Thanks to fate—and our friends Matt and Jenae—we met on February 19th during a 'Karl Strauss Night Out' at a San Diego Gulls hockey game. The evening started at Bay City Brewing, moved to the rink, and wrapped up at a karaoke bar. Though Clayton missed Natalie’s star performance that night, it was only the beginning of countless moments that would leave him in awe. From that night, sparks ignited. Over the next three weeks, we dove into dates and deep conversations, uncovering a shared connection. Then COVID-19 struck, shutting down the world. With work on hold (and Natalie still in nursing school), we found ourselves with endless time together—and discovered just how perfectly we fit. Our love for the outdoors, great food and drinks, family, and travel became the heartbeat of our bond, and it still is today. Over the years, we settled into our beachside apartment, growing closer and dreaming of marriage and kids. On October 26, 2023, Clayton made it official with a surprise proposal at Torrey Pines State Park, one of our favorite hiking spots. Since then, we’ve been adventuring, celebrating family weddings, and planning ours. We’re beyond grateful for our amazing friends and family—you mean the world to us. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all on October 18th. Thank you for your love and support!