Katie and I met back in January of 2020, BP (before pandemic). It truly is incredible to think that the majority of our relationship has been in the midst of a global pandemic, the size and scale of which the world has never seen before. But nevertheless, we persisted, always adapting to better serve the other and serve Jesus. That selfless love is what keeps us together. I can't imagine my life without Katie, and I don't want to. Her infectious laugh and smile, dry sense of humor, and incredible optimism when it comes to friendships and relationships just draw me in deeper every minute we share together.

Our story begins on an app called Hinge. "The app meant to be deleted". Well, spoiler alert, it works. It worked for us; it worked for other friends of ours as well. Very shortly after meeting, I knew we had something special. And I truly mean 'very'. By the end of our first date, I was texting my roommates saying how into Katie I was (LOL). Thankfully the feeling was mutual and this began a life together of going on dates and ice cream and flowers & cards.

When I knew it was time to propose, I turned to her sister, Steph, to help plan it. Who better to help plan a proposal than a professional wedding photographer? After some deliberation and changing the plan, it became apparent to me that I wanted to propose on the Pacific Crest Trail. Both of us love hiking and had dreams to through-hike the trail at some point in our lives. So, on October 10, we drove up to the trail near Idyllwild, California, and embarked on our trip. It wasn't very far, to be honest. Probably only two or three miles in. We turned around and started walking back to the car - it was starting to get dark. On the way back to the car, we talked about being engaged and what that would look like. It was no surprise to either of us that we knew we'd spend the rest of our lives together. About a mile from the car, we rounded a corner on the trail and heard a familiar sound - Touching Heaven by the band Johnnyswim. I knew it was my time to shine. First we heard the music, but the closer we got, Katie realized that her sister and mom had set up a picnic with pictures of us strung between brush on twine. There was a blanket, wine, food, photographs, and music; it was go-time.

If you know me, you know I'm an emotional person. I cry in movies, I cry at music, reading books, and well, most things, honestly. So it was expected that when we rounded the corner on the trail and saw the picnic, I immediately teared up. When it was time for me to get on one knee, I barely could get the words out. "Will...you...marry me?" I sobbed. Thankfully I didn't have to be the only emotional person there as Katie started crying immediately as well. "Of course" she said, and those words changed my life forever. And with that, the adventure we are on together really started.

I truly can't believe why God blessed me with the opportunity to share my life with a woman as incredible as Katharine Caroline McDonald, but I know I am eternally thankful he did. And I'll probably ask why for the rest of my life, but I just have to trust he brought us together to change the world and further His kingdom.