It all started in October 2022 with a heart on Hinge that somehow felt a little different. Riley saw Kaitlyn’s profile and thought, “Wow, she’s special.” Kaitlyn saw Riley’s and thought, “He better have a good dog or good personality.” (Luckily, he had both.) After messages that somehow managed to be both chaotic and charming, we met in person and immediately realized this wasn’t just another date. By the end of November, we were spending more time together than apart — cozy nights in, spontaneous adventures, and laughing way too hard at our own jokes. Then came Brew at the Zoo in Portland. After wandering around looking at animals and gorgeous Christmas lights, we walked out to the parking lot, still buzzing from the night. Riley, fueled by nerves and pure certainty, asked Kaitlyn to be his girlfriend right there between the cars. Romantic? Maybe not in the traditional sense. Perfect for us? Absolutely. Fast forward to August 16, 2024. Riley had a ring, a plan, and a completely clueless girlfriend. An awkward car ride and dropping on one knee, Kaitlyn said yes (after the appropriate amount of happy tears), and just like that, the next chapter of our story officially began. Now we’re getting married in one of the most beautiful places in Oregon, surrounded by the people we love — and we can’t wait to celebrate the story that began with a heart, a zoo, and a parking-lot promise and so many stories and memories since then.