Chris and Rosie met in 2015 in Eugene, OR while Chris was working as an Assistant Crew Boss for McKenzie River Fire and Rosie was working on her PhD in Economics at the University of Oregon. They met “the old fashioned way” through mutual friends Drew McNichols and Mindy Ingebretson-Wolowicz. Their relationship started off very casual, as both Chris and Rosie were not looking for a serious commitment. However, after two years of on and off dating and driving their friends crazy, they finally made things official in November 2017. Chris had an epiphany of sorts after reuniting at the Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffer 5k in Thurston and decided he wanted to give the committed relationship thing a real chance. Rosie moved to Walla Walla in August 2018 to start her teaching job at Whitman College. Chris left his position in primary fire at McKenzie to work in policy with the Forest Service, which allowed him to relocate to Walla Walla in January 2019. Chris and Rosie bought their dream-home fixer-upper farmhouse in 2020, which Chris has been making amazing progress renovating. They have welcomed two border boys, Theo (3) and Ollie (1), and a flock of backyard chicken ladies into the family.

Chris proposed to Rosie in the Eagle Cap Wilderness last September. He was sneaky about it and she was very surprised.