We met in Chicago at a kumtziz (singing gathering) and then again the next day at Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner. Max texted Shira right after Shabbat and we ended up texting late into the night (or early morning). Two days later we had our first date, cooking a Thai curry in Shira’s apartment. Our love grew through our adventures together - swimming, biking, exploring new neighborhoods and cities, spending time with each other’s friends and families and through our shared values and hobbies. We are so excited to continue this journey with our wedding and cannot wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family.

We got engaged in the Sawtooth National Forest on a four day backpacking trip. At our first evening at Alice Lake, we exchanged letters and rings. Shira receiving her mother’s engagement ring and a beautiful necklace Max had made, and Max receiving a ring Shira had made with their birthstones. We each sang a verse from Song of Songs that we hope to continue to say to each other every Friday night after our wedding.