It all began over a cocktail at the Belamar Hotel bar in Manhattan Beach. Sasha suggested they meet there, as it was conveniently situated between Kortnie’s home in Long Beach and Sasha’s in Valley Village. Both felt a bit nervous and uncertain about what to expect. Online dating was new to them, and the odds of something serious developing seemed slim.

Kortnie likely shared her experiences as a German language major, which had taken her to Germany for a year. Born and raised in the LA area, she was in awe of the beauty and culture she had encountered abroad. Sasha probably mentioned his move to LA from Portland to pursue a career in TV and film, sharing his story of moving from Uzbekistan to Portland with his parents when he was eight. Kortnie eagerly asked him about his background, and they quickly connected.

Fast forward a few months, and Kortnie and Sasha were still going strong. They often met for sushi or Thai during the week, and on weekends, Kortnie would visit Sasha, who would cook for her—usually baked salmon, potatoes, and asparagus, a meal she still enjoys to this day.

Now, after over nine years together, Kortnie and Sasha have traveled the world, remodeled a home, and raised the cutest bunny in the universe, named Lamb. They are excited to embark on this journey called life, sharing many wonderful moments together and helping each other become better human beings.

Registry

Celebrating our big day with us is the best gift we can receive! But for our family and friends that would still like to buy us a gift, we are registered at the following places: