5 years ago we went on our first date to a restaurant called Stateside in Seattle, WA. After a wonderful evening, we received a postcard that was attached to the bill. We thought this was fun and decided to take that postcard and write a note to our mutual friends who brought us together. Little did we know that this postcard would come to define the beginnings of our relationship... Only a month later, Alexis found out she would be moving 3,000 miles away to New York City. Derek was okay with this, as he would now be multiplying his Alaska Airline miles that much faster (although he has still not reached MVP Gold). With a three hour time difference making phone calls difficult, Alexis decided to keep the Stateside tradition alive and write a postcard to Derek. Ever since then, whether living in Seattle, New York, or Rhode Island - or traveling to Super Bowls or Switzerland - whenever either of us visited a restaurant and received a postcard, we would send it to each other, as we lived on opposite coasts & were traveling around the world.

After living on opposite coasts, other states, and always having to travel to see each other, we finally landed back in Washington at the start of 2020. From there, we headed straight into quarantine and haven't left each other's side ever since. One evening in July, on a walk to Kerry Park overlooking Seattle, Derek handed Alexis a postcard from Stateside and at the bottom it read: "5 years ago... you came into my life and it's been the most incredible journey ever since. Today, I look ahead at our future and I don't want to miss another moment without you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will You Marry Me?"

*Updated June 5th* We are excited to welcome all of our guests and happy to report that with Washington state re-opening on June 30th, our wedding will be in compliance with all state and local regulations. We understand that everyone's comfort level is different, and we want to ensure that all our guest can enjoy the wedding safely. While they are no longer required, we will have masks available for those who wish. We will also have hand sanitizer available throughout the venue. Both Derek and I, as well as our families, have elected to get vaccinated and will do everything we can to ensure everyone's health and safety. Also, we are leaving for an international trip 72 hours after the wedding, that will require a negative covid test. If you are feeling unwell ahead of the wedding or have come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for covid, then we please ask that you stay home and we will celebrate with you at a later date. Enough of the boring stuff, Now Let's All Have Some Fun!