Becky and Chris started chatting on the app "Happn" in December 2015. Becky was home in Baltimore for the holidays, browsing through her phone, when she was alerted that someone else on the app had been at both Mt. Hood Meadows and Intel Jones Farm campus at the same time as her. Sure, his photos weren't the best, but she decided to say hi anyway. They talked a bit about work and then went to bed on separate coasts. 8 days later, without another word, Becky decided to check in again. They chatted a bit more and decided to set a date to have dinner later that week. They first met face to face on January 13th at a sushi place in Hillsboro. Becky was ecstatic to see that Chris didn't look anything like his photos, meaning he looked more like a grown adult man and less like his freshman year college portrait. Chris was excited to learn they had many things in common like snowboarding, board games, and talking nerdy. Three days later Becky had plans to go snowboarding with a big group of friends and spontaneously invited Chris along. She was a bit surprised (and impressed) that he said yes. From there they went on several more snowboarding trips, a book reading at Powells Books and a Portland Trailblazers game. 2 months had passed and neither one actually knew if they were just friends or something more. Not being well known for her patience, Becky grew tired of waiting and made her move. Turns out, Chris was trying to find the courage to do the same. From then on they found their lives filled with new experiences, new friends, and new adventures.

Exactly 2 years after that first fateful text message, Becky and Chris were on a Caribbean Cruise for Christmas with both of their families. The ship was docked in St. Kitts that day and they had decided to go on an excursion involving snorkeling, a catamaran cruise, and bottomless rum punch. Their boat dropped them off in Nevis for a beach break and they quickly sought out shade for their pasty white Portland engineers skin. Laying on the beach under a large palm tree Chris brought out the ring, remarked on the adventures they had shared so far, and asked Becky to join him for a lifetime full of more adventures. She said "of course." Then they named the palm tree "Archibald the Great," had way too much rum punch while sailing back to the ship, and had to keep the engagement secret for a whole 28 hours because they couldn't wrangle all their family members into the same spot.

One of the easiest decisions we ever made as a couple was to have our wedding in Portland during the winter. Sure, it's not exactly the most dry time to explore the Pacific Northwest, but it's always been a season full of family, friends, and fun memories. Long after the leaves have fallen, Oregon stays green and majestic (and sometimes white). As our favorite saying goes: "When it's raining in Portland, it's snowing on Mt. Hood." There are few things more cozy than curling up next to the fireplace with a glass of local Pinot, craft beer, or uniquely-flavored cider. We hope to share some of this magic with you for our wedding, but you should probably bring a raincoat. We are so excited to have all our friends and family together in the same place to help us celebrate our commitment to one another. Each of you has been there for us in countless ways over the years. We could never thank you enough for those precious moments of companionship, advice, and cheer-leading. Photos by Colleen Cahill Studios