While it's possible Jessie and Michael crossed paths unknowingly at some point in the past, living within a block of each other in 2016 and attending the same summer camp as kids, the official introduction came in April of 2019 in Denver, thanks to the magic of the dating app algorithms. On their first date they bonded over their Pacific Northwest roots and their love for the Bachelor tv franchise. Michael was excited when Jessie proposed going to a mini-golf spot for date two, and Jessie got to experience Michael's perennial putting yips firsthand (still working on those) as she proved to be the better mini-golfer that night. Other highlights of early dates included frequenting the local neighborhood bingo bar, taking in some of Colorado's many hikes, and exploring a couple hidden away speakeasies.

Things continued to get more serious from there, and while a global pandemic limited some of the aforementioned activities, Jessie and Michael found lots of joint enjoyment rollerblading around Washington Park in Denver, doing virtual bar trivia, exploring new recipes, and embarking on their first of many multi-day road trips together. After many hours of sample size in an enclosed space, they confirmed they still enjoyed each others company. In late 2020, in between Thanksgiving and New Years, Jessie and Michael gave cohabitation a shot, living together for a month in Astoria, Oregon. Despite limited space in a one bedroom apartment that was simultaneously serving as two offices, Michael and Jessie had a successful month of trying out living together.

A few months later, they made that cohabitation more permanent and moved out to Seattle together, with both Jessie and Michael returning to their native land of the Pacific Northwest. They grew as a partnership, jointly wearing their large tentacle arms to Kraken games, beginning an annual tradition of hosting a holiday cookie exchange, and with them now being much closer to family, they each were able to get to know the other's family much more.

Then, on a rainy day in late December (back in 'twenty-three) after taking a ferry to Vashon Island, Michael got up the courage to ask Jessie if she was interested in adding a new label to their partnership. She noted that she was interested. Since then, their family has grown from 2 to 3, with a new puppy Clover joining the Gau-Dunns in April of 2024. Jessie, Michael and Clover (who doesn't know she may not be attending) are all excited about the wedding and are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends, and showing out of towners what the Pacific Northwest summers have to offer!