If you knew me at all before I met Mark, you would know I did not believe in dating. When I was packing up to move to Oregon, every friend of mine said “I give you six months until you fall in love with a boy.” Long story short: even though I told them they were wrong, clearly - they were right. Mark and I both moved to Portland, OR in June 2019, started our new jobs in early July, and met in person on August 1st. We met on the dating app Hinge, and it took me approximately 4 days just to swipe right on him. I’d look at his cute face on the app’s home screen, but I was so scared to be rejected, I didn’t do anything - until one day when I was like “what do I have to lose?!” and finally swiped on him. He immediately asked me to get dinner with him and I said yes - because who in their right mind would turn down free Mexican food?! While Mark may say he knew on our first date, I definitely didn’t. But our first date quickly became our second which quickly became our third, and by then - I knew. His witty sense of humor had finally made an appearance, and the second he put his arm around me and kissed me on the forehead, I was his. Mark changed my world and changed my heart. He taught me to take my walls down, to trust him, and he showed me that I deserve the world. I had been so closed off from love because I was trying to protect myself, but by opening my heart up, I gained the best friend and life partner I could ever ask for. After just under a year of living life together, Mark got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife in our favorite place in the world. I wish I could say I was surprised (I sort of was, but I was also sure I signed for my ring package two months prior), but I definitely can say that I was blown away by Mark’s outpouring of love for me. He truly is my best friend, and I’ll always be grateful that I said yes to Portland after having never stepped foot in Oregon if for no other reason than meeting my future husband.

When I moved to Oregon in the summer of 2019, I too, never thought I would meet the love of my life. When we went out on our first date, it instantly felt different. I noticed her fun pink hair, her beautiful smile and how easy it was for her to be real. She was sincere, kind, and exuberant. It’s hard to explain, but she made me feel so comfortable. As some of you know, I am a bit quiet and shy at times. Emily livens up any room we enter and brings out my extrovert side (as much of an extrovert a mechanical engineer can be). Our first date was tacos at Por Que No. I didn’t know I was “free tacos” (see above) at first, but hey, I don’t blame her. Little did Emily know that I loved tacos as much as she did! I knew I really liked this girl and I wanted another date. When I got home, I couldn’t stop smiling and immediately text her asking for a 2nd date. A 3rd turned to a 4th and etc…. It’s been almost 3 years, but feels like we’ve known each other forever. Emily is my complete opposite … and I can’t be thankful enough for that.