Alison and Nate met on a dating app in January 2020, where they connected over their recent historical road trips – hers, a civil rights tour through the South; his, a tour of historical nuclear landmarks through the Southwest.

On their first date, they realized that Alison would be moving into a new apartment just one block away from Nate’s. If not for the 15-foot concrete wall, he could practically jump into her backyard! They spent their first few weeks together getting margaritas and tacos, seeing The Book of Mormon musical, BBQing with friends, and visiting Disneyland with Nate’s Air Force buddies. They got a lot packed in before the pandemic shut everything down 7 weeks into their relationship. Lucky for them, they both enjoyed staying in just as much as going out, and all the time stuck inside gave them the ability to grow close.

In October of 2021, they moved to Bend, OR, so Nate could be the audio editor for his high school friend's YouTube channel. In Bend, they grew their relationship, made friends, and adopted a scruffy senior miniature pinscher/chihuahua/poodle mix from the animal shelter, who came with the name “Beth.” They call her Bethie, and the three of them love the little family they created.

After two winters in Bend, they grew tired of all the snow in the high desert and made plans to move to a new city. Nate, Alison, and Bethie now live in a split-level house in Seattle with friends.

Their proposal story is much like many couples who have dated and lived together for years…one day, they looked at each other and said, “let’s get married sooner rather than later” and they declared themselves engaged. And now, here we are, heading towards their wedding day, where they get to celebrate their relationship with all who love them.