Hjalmar and Nicole's story began on November 23rd, 2018 all the way in Hanoi, Vietnam. Both were staying at a hostel at the beginning of a trip around Vietnam with their friend. Due to food poisoning and a missing school assignment, both Hjalmar and Nicole were left to make friends during the hostel's free beer hour. Striking up a conversation, they quickly bonded over, at 24, being some of the oldest people in the hostel. The next day, Hjalmar fatefully ran into Nicole while checking out and asked her out to lunch. Despite returning to their respective countries, they kept in touch constantly messaging and calling regularly. In February, Nicole visited Hjalmar in the Netherlands to see if this was something. It was. Over the next two years Hjalmar and Nicole switched off visiting each other, meeting their families and friends, and building their relationship. Their relationship flourished even as they navigated the challenges of long-distance, COVID lock downs, Senate run off elections, and many school exams. Even from far away, they supported each other and planned for a future when they could finally be together. In 2021, Nicole decided to pursue a Master's at the University of Amsterdam, and they moved in together in Utrecht. This period marked a new chapter in their lives: Hjalmar started his first job as an aerospace engineer, Nicole studied at school and worked in the wine bar, and they traveled to over ten countries during their two years in Europe. When Nicole finished her Master's, they made the decision to move to Seattle, her hometown. Nicole moved in January, and Hjalmar joined her in May. Shortly after, on May 7th, Hjalmar proposed during a hike in Olympic National Park. They live in the city with their cat, Merlin, and enjoy all forms of being outside in the PNW. They were legally married in a small civil ceremony in Volunteer Park on August 8, 2023. Sometimes they think back and cannot believe that their life together all began in a hostel in Hanoi. Now, they look forward to celebrating their marriage with all of their loved ones the way they have always talked about in Italy on September 22, 2025.