Katie & David

August 15, 2021 • Forks, WA

Katie & David

August 15, 2021 • Forks, WA

Our Story

David and Katie lived in the same residence hall at Whitworth University over his sophomore and her freshman year. They weren't on each other's radar (probably due to David's beard), and can't remember officially meeting each other. Katie's first recollection of David was his intense focus in a study room in Oliver during the fall semester of 2016. One question from Katie sent David running, and she quickly moved on to more friendly study buddies from then on. Alternatively, David remembers thinking Katie was a cutie and enjoyed seeing her around their mutual friends at movie nights or lawn parties, but from the study room to graduation, their paths rarely crossed. Katie and David lived their own journeys throughout college, growing into the people God made them to be through academic victories, lonely nights, laughter with friends, and everything in between. During that time, God began to shape Katie and David into the woman and man they are now. And that's where the story really starts.

David and Katie graduate from Whitworth University. They don't know each other yet, but somehow find themselves in a picture together after commencement.

April 19, 2019

David and Katie graduate from Whitworth University. They don't know each other yet, but somehow find themselves in a picture together after commencement.
Their friends Nick & Brittany Healey get married. David's in the wedding, and Katie sings for the first dance. Before the reception, David and Katie strike up a conversation. Though they both love dancing, Katie avoids David for the rest of the night, but invites him to a small friend gathering that evening. Sneaky.

December 07, 2019

Their friends Nick & Brittany Healey get married. David's in the wedding, and Katie sings for the first dance. Before the reception, David and Katie strike up a conversation. Though they both love dancing, Katie avoids David for the rest of the night, but invites him to a small friend gathering that evening. Sneaky.
Carrying on the Whitworth tradition of "All Tied Up" in Coeur D'Alene, David and Katie get to see each other for the first time after the Healey wedding. They're obviously "just friends" at this point, but the crush is real.

December 14, 2019

Carrying on the Whitworth tradition of "All Tied Up" in Coeur D'Alene, David and Katie get to see each other for the first time after the Healey wedding. They're obviously "just friends" at this point, but the crush is real.
Katie drives across Washington to celebrate New Year's Eve at David's family's house. She meets David's folks for the first time. Fireworks are goin' and sparks are flyin'.

December 31, 2019

Katie drives across Washington to celebrate New Year's Eve at David's family's house. She meets David's folks for the first time. Fireworks are goin' and sparks are flyin'.
Unofficial double-date snowshoeing in Mt. Spokane. They talk about life dreams, favorite hobbies, and passions. David convinces Katie to go sledding and makes her hot cocoa afterward.

January 20, 2020

Unofficial double-date snowshoeing in Mt. Spokane. They talk about life dreams, favorite hobbies, and passions. David convinces Katie to go sledding and makes her hot cocoa afterward.
Katie's high school student catches her and a "cute guy" walking from the grocery store. Three nights before – January 25 – David and Katie share their first date at Evans Bros, Bath & Body Works, and Panda Express for dinner.

January 29, 2020

Katie's high school student catches her and a "cute guy" walking from the grocery store. Three nights before – January 25 – David and Katie share their first date at Evans Bros, Bath & Body Works, and Panda Express for dinner.
David and Katie adventure to Painted Rocks in Nine Mile Falls. They get drinks after the hike and enjoy live music. It remains one of their favorite dates to this day.

February 08, 2020

David and Katie adventure to Painted Rocks in Nine Mile Falls. They get drinks after the hike and enjoy live music. It remains one of their favorite dates to this day.
First picture of the dating couple at Cliff Park in Spokane. It becomes apparent to them both that this is real and rich. David shaves for Katie and she can't help but start falling in love.

February 23, 2020

First picture of the dating couple at Cliff Park in Spokane. It becomes apparent to them both that this is real and rich. David shaves for Katie and she can't help but start falling in love.
Katie and David decide to make it official and now dub themselves: "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." They celebrate with a face mask and several episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

February 24, 2020

Katie and David decide to make it official and now dub themselves: "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." They celebrate with a face mask and several episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Hammocking at Manito Park, David and Katie start delving into life stories and the nitty gritty. David almost slips and says "I love you."

March 21, 2020

Hammocking at Manito Park, David and Katie start delving into life stories and the nitty gritty. David almost slips and says "I love you."
First adventure skipping rocks at Sullivan Lake. They buy vanilla wafer cookies and turkish delight at a convenience store in Metaline Falls. It's a feeling like nothing other, to share adventure – watching the light move across water, listening to the slow hum of music in the car, munching on snacks and hearing the wind against the windows – with someone you love. The pandemic at this point has shut down the world around them, and Katie and David decide to cling to each other amid the craziness.

March 28, 2020

First adventure skipping rocks at Sullivan Lake. They buy vanilla wafer cookies and turkish delight at a convenience store in Metaline Falls. It's a feeling like nothing other, to share adventure – watching the light move across water, listening to the slow hum of music in the car, munching on snacks and hearing the wind against the windows – with someone you love. The pandemic at this point has shut down the world around them, and Katie and David decide to cling to each other amid the craziness.
First bike ride together – 20 miles on the Centennial Trail. David becomes Katie's encouragement on the big hill, and Katie beats him up it.

April 18, 2020

First bike ride together – 20 miles on the Centennial Trail. David becomes Katie's encouragement on the big hill, and Katie beats him up it.
Day trip to Priest Lake. Katie and David walk on the beach, get rained on, and watch the sunset. In a crazed hunger, they scare a Zips worker and munch on burgers at midnight.

April 25, 2020

Day trip to Priest Lake. Katie and David walk on the beach, get rained on, and watch the sunset. In a crazed hunger, they scare a Zips worker and munch on burgers at midnight.
First camping trip together near Bead Lake. David and Katie survive ticks, forest service roads, and thunderstorms, realizing they can survive most things with a little teamwork and a little help. On the hike, Katie tells David that he's her best friend. David agrees. Later, a fellow camper in America shorts and a cowboy hat saves their pitiful fire with a flamethrower. They enjoy camp coffee the next morning and connecting with the Lord together through a devotional.

May 02, 2020

First camping trip together near Bead Lake. David and Katie survive ticks, forest service roads, and thunderstorms, realizing they can survive most things with a little teamwork and a little help. On the hike, Katie tells David that he's her best friend. David agrees. Later, a fellow camper in America shorts and a cowboy hat saves their pitiful fire with a flamethrower. They enjoy camp coffee the next morning and connecting with the Lord together through a devotional.
David meets Katie's parents for the first time and goes adventuring with them. They blaze off trail and name the peak "Mt. Cairn." It's a good fit.

May 23, 2020

David meets Katie's parents for the first time and goes adventuring with them. They blaze off trail and name the peak "Mt. Cairn." It's a good fit.
Katie shows David her hometown on their 4 month anniversary. They walk in the rain and on the beach at Lincoln Park in West Seattle, where Katie used to go as a kid.

May 25, 2020

Katie shows David her hometown on their 4 month anniversary. They walk in the rain and on the beach at Lincoln Park in West Seattle, where Katie used to go as a kid.
First group camping trip includes fires, games, and lots of mosquitos near Ione, WA. With COVID in full swing, it's refreshing for the couple to spend some time outdoors with friends. David and Katie realize how greatly they value shared adventures.

June 21, 2020

First group camping trip includes fires, games, and lots of mosquitos near Ione, WA. With COVID in full swing, it's refreshing for the couple to spend some time outdoors with friends. David and Katie realize how greatly they value shared adventures.
This time, David and Katie arrive together to a wedding. They celebrate 5 months of dating and gear up for a month full of outdoor excursions.

June 26, 2020

This time, David and Katie arrive together to a wedding. They celebrate 5 months of dating and gear up for a month full of outdoor excursions.
Hiking at Fault Lake – 12 miles in an afternoon. Upon arrival, David and Katie realize it's bear country – and bear season. When dusk hits, the forest is eerily quiet. At the lake, Katie and David are greeted by the cutest dogs.

July 11, 2020

Hiking at Fault Lake – 12 miles in an afternoon. Upon arrival, David and Katie realize it's bear country – and bear season. When dusk hits, the forest is eerily quiet. At the lake, Katie and David are greeted by the cutest dogs.
Backpacking at Gothic Basin. After a grueling hike over rocks and snow, Katie and David find themselves in a snow-covered basin. The view is breathtaking. They set up camp, complete with a dining room (two rocks by the creek), bedroom (tent pinned to a rock, sticking above the snow), bathroom (a hole in the rock some feet away from the tent), kitchen (David's portable gas stove and freeze-dried dinner), and view. The next morning, they get to watch the sun rise over the mountains and praise the Lord with a reading of the Psalms. Magical.

July 18, 2020

Backpacking at Gothic Basin. After a grueling hike over rocks and snow, Katie and David find themselves in a snow-covered basin. The view is breathtaking. They set up camp, complete with a dining room (two rocks by the creek), bedroom (tent pinned to a rock, sticking above the snow), bathroom (a hole in the rock some feet away from the tent), kitchen (David's portable gas stove and freeze-dried dinner), and view. The next morning, they get to watch the sun rise over the mountains and praise the Lord with a reading of the Psalms. Magical.
Olympic National Park: Day 1. On their way down to the night's destination, one of the seven lakes, Katie and David meet a bear. He's a nice bear, a fairly nice bear, and they survive to hike another day. They're met by a swarm of mosquitos at the lake and some unfriendly campers. It's not a great evening, admittedly, but Katie learns to pack hydrocortisone cream, and David learns that his hunting knife is an effective safety tool when the bear returns in the middle of the night. Don't worry, he doesn't have to use it.

July 27, 2020

Olympic National Park: Day 1. On their way down to the night's destination, one of the seven lakes, Katie and David meet a bear. He's a nice bear, a fairly nice bear, and they survive to hike another day. They're met by a swarm of mosquitos at the lake and some unfriendly campers. It's not a great evening, admittedly, but Katie learns to pack hydrocortisone cream, and David learns that his hunting knife is an effective safety tool when the bear returns in the middle of the night. Don't worry, he doesn't have to use it.
Olympic National Park: Day 2. Best view of the glaciers on the slopes of Olympic Peak. Katie and David scramble up High Divide and enjoy lunch at the top. It's a hard and long day, and they find that they can do hard things together. The evening's destination is at a waterfall and stream. Such a well-deserved place of solace.

July 28, 2020

Olympic National Park: Day 2. Best view of the glaciers on the slopes of Olympic Peak. Katie and David scramble up High Divide and enjoy lunch at the top. It's a hard and long day, and they find that they can do hard things together. The evening's destination is at a waterfall and stream. Such a well-deserved place of solace.
Olympic National Park: (also) Day 2. David picks a bouquet for Katie out of the many wildflowers. They enjoy conversation on the trail and the views of rolling mountains.

July 28, 2020

Olympic National Park: (also) Day 2. David picks a bouquet for Katie out of the many wildflowers. They enjoy conversation on the trail and the views of rolling mountains.
Olympic National Park: Day 3. Katie and David make it down to the parking lot, absolutely exhausted after 19 miles and two nights of tenting. They get burgers and beers at Lake Crescent and take a nap outside in a grassy field in the shade.

July 29, 2020

Olympic National Park: Day 3. Katie and David make it down to the parking lot, absolutely exhausted after 19 miles and two nights of tenting. They get burgers and beers at Lake Crescent and take a nap outside in a grassy field in the shade.
Kayaking in Lake Diablo at the North Cascades. They push their way through a wind storm and white caps. Afterward, the couple enjoy hotdogs with the Lacayo parents. Bless.

July 31, 2020

Kayaking in Lake Diablo at the North Cascades. They push their way through a wind storm and white caps. Afterward, the couple enjoy hotdogs with the Lacayo parents. Bless.
David's favorite hike in the North Cascades: Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm. Incredible views and exhausting but amazing terrain. To Katie, the best part was the marmot. After the couple arrives back in Spokane, they begin to seriously discuss the M word: marriage. It's clear they're meant for a life partnership.

August 01, 2020

David's favorite hike in the North Cascades: Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm. Incredible views and exhausting but amazing terrain. To Katie, the best part was the marmot. After the couple arrives back in Spokane, they begin to seriously discuss the M word: marriage. It's clear they're meant for a life partnership.
Hike in the Selkirks with David's mom. After a rough drive in Montana backroads, they enjoy wild huckleberries.

August 31, 2020

Hike in the Selkirks with David's mom. After a rough drive in Montana backroads, they enjoy wild huckleberries.
David's birthday. Drinks at the Davenport and dinner at Chaps. They cherish how special it is to celebrate with each other and get excited for all the celebrations to come.

October 01, 2020

David's birthday. Drinks at the Davenport and dinner at Chaps. They cherish how special it is to celebrate with each other and get excited for all the celebrations to come.
Backpacking at Beehive Lake with best man Ian. They have a full-on bonfire and enjoy freeze-dried breakfast (the only food remaining after a mouse ravages their stash).

October 04, 2020

Backpacking at Beehive Lake with best man Ian. They have a full-on bonfire and enjoy freeze-dried breakfast (the only food remaining after a mouse ravages their stash).
Sandpoint! David and Katie drink Evan's Bros coffee and stay in a yurt (which is the coolest ever – highly recommend). Weekend trips become their favorite.

October 10, 2020

Sandpoint! David and Katie drink Evan's Bros coffee and stay in a yurt (which is the coolest ever – highly recommend). Weekend trips become their favorite.
David and Katie celebrate 9 months in Glacier National Park. It's cold and windy, but beautiful.

October 25, 2020

David and Katie celebrate 9 months in Glacier National Park. It's cold and windy, but beautiful.
Katie and David meet the newest member of their forming family: Ember.

November 11, 2020

Katie and David meet the newest member of their forming family: Ember.
Domestic life with the baby kitty.

November 21, 2020

Domestic life with the baby kitty.
David scolds Ember for eating Katie's plants. In training a kitten, David and Katie navigate their parenting styles and work together to teach Ember how to be a good cat. The next day, David fractures his ankle, and their teamwork is tested even more. It's a rough month for them, but they're stronger for it.

November 26, 2020

David scolds Ember for eating Katie's plants. In training a kitten, David and Katie navigate their parenting styles and work together to teach Ember how to be a good cat. The next day, David fractures his ankle, and their teamwork is tested even more. It's a rough month for them, but they're stronger for it.
Katie and David venture to Leavenworth to see the Christmas lights and enjoy old friends. They buy nutcrackers, a Lacayo family tradition, and prepare to celebrate the holidays together.

December 19, 2020

Katie and David venture to Leavenworth to see the Christmas lights and enjoy old friends. They buy nutcrackers, a Lacayo family tradition, and prepare to celebrate the holidays together.
Christmas with the Hendricks at a lovely cabin in Priest Lake. David and Katie enjoy good wine and their new favorite card game: Swipe.

December 27, 2020

Christmas with the Hendricks at a lovely cabin in Priest Lake. David and Katie enjoy good wine and their new favorite card game: Swipe.
Over the holidays, the Hendricks gift Katie with a family stocking, and the Lacayos give David a matching ugly Christmas sweater. They're part of the family now.

December 30, 2020

Over the holidays, the Hendricks gift Katie with a family stocking, and the Lacayos give David a matching ugly Christmas sweater. They're part of the family now.
David shows Katie his hometown of Mercer Island. They share past memories of their childhoods and make plans for what their future might look like. David asks for the Lacayo parents’ blessing, and they give it gladly.

January 03, 2021

David shows Katie his hometown of Mercer Island. They share past memories of their childhoods and make plans for what their future might look like. David asks for the Lacayo parents’ blessing, and they give it gladly.
David pops the question on their one-year anniversary at Spokane's Pavilion, where they shared Valentine's Day almost a year prior. Katie takes a seat at the top of the Pavilion, under the lights, with candles and pictures of their adventures surrounding her. David gets down on one knee and reads her a letter about his love for her, his desire to always be her best friend, his wish to spend the rest of his life with her. He asks Katie to marry him, and she says yes, of course.

January 25, 2021

David pops the question on their one-year anniversary at Spokane's Pavilion, where they shared Valentine's Day almost a year prior. Katie takes a seat at the top of the Pavilion, under the lights, with candles and pictures of their adventures surrounding her. David gets down on one knee and reads her a letter about his love for her, his desire to always be her best friend, his wish to spend the rest of his life with her. He asks Katie to marry him, and she says yes, of course.
The next big day in the story awaits. Katie and David continue to learn and adventure, finding new ways to be outside and make memories together. They look to marriage and all the great things to come with expectation, hope, and trust in God and His plans for them. The future Lacayo-Hendricks are excited to continue sharing everyday life together, one step at a time.

August 15, 2021

The next big day in the story awaits. Katie and David continue to learn and adventure, finding new ways to be outside and make memories together. They look to marriage and all the great things to come with expectation, hope, and trust in God and His plans for them. The future Lacayo-Hendricks are excited to continue sharing everyday life together, one step at a time.