In 2016 Nate moved to Richmond, Virginia to start a new job. On his first day of work, he sat across Roberta who had started working at the company a month earlier. The workplace was so tight knit, and soon enough friendships started forming and post work happy hours became a regular past time. Early in 2018, Nate and Roberta started to catch each other's eyes and began to grow closer to each other. One evening, Nate threw a get together at his house and Roberta came over. Instead of mingling with everyone at the party, Roberta found herself stuck on the couch cuddled up with Chief all night. Unbeknownst to Roberta, this moment stuck with Nate forever. On St Patrick's Day, everything changed. Nate and Roberta finally worked up the courage to let each other know how they felt. At that point, Roberta was already set to move to San Francisco that July, but the two decided to continue to get to know each other without the pressure of thinking about the future. The two spent nearly every single day that summer together. When Nate dropped Roberta off at the airport for her move, they both knew that they couldn't say goodbye. The two spent one year in a long distance relationship, with each of them flying across the country to visit each other every month. After one year, Nate packed up his car and took Chief to move to Oakland, California, and the rest is history.

In March 2023, around Nate and Roberta's five year anniversary, they began talking about the future. They knew that they were ready for the next step in their relationship. In discussing what was important to the two of them, they decided to forgo the traditional route and elope instead. Once they decided to elope, it seemed like everything fell into place so perfectly. They picked the date July 6th to honor Roberta's grandmother, Erlinda, who raised Roberta in the Philippines. They learned that Colorado allowed for self solemnization and felt that it was perfect for the two of them. They started researching adventure elopements and their excitement grew even more. The date had been set, the plan was in motion, but there was still one thing missing. Nate technically hadn't proposed yet. On June 10th, 2023, Nate took Roberta to a scenic overlook in Boulder, Colorado and officially popped the question.

On July 6th, 2023, at a place called Piney River Ranch in Vail, Colorado - Nate and Roberta officially tied the knot. The day was nothing short of perfection, except for the 10 mile bumpy car ride up to the lake which made them almost second guess what they were doing (lol). Roberta got ready in a public bathroom with the kindest strangers offering their best wishes, while Nate and Chief were waiting by the lake. As Roberta approached, Chief turned around to steal the first look of the bride. Since they were self solemnizing and both were nervous to start, they kicked it off by playing rock, paper, scissors to decide who will say their vows first. They exchanged their vows and rings with the most picturesque backdrop, wildflowers everywhere, and Chief by their side. They rode a canoe to take the moment in and reflect on this milestone. After the "ceremony", they left Piney River Ranch and pulled off on the side of the dirt road for cake, champagne, and to sign their marriage license to make it official. To celebrate and end the day, they walked around the Vail town square and popped into a bar to cap the evening off with their favorite cocktails, an espresso martini and a moscow mule. The two went back to the hotel and enjoyed an intimate dinner together and spend the next few days as newlyweds in secret, before calling their families to share the news.

Although we eloped just the two of us, you were all in our hearts throughout the day. We are so appreciative of the love and support we have received from you all, and are overjoyed with the excitement that you share as we enter this phase of our lives as husband and wife. We love you so much and look forward to celebrating in person sometime in the near future. Love, Nate and Roberta