In November 2021, a California girl and her beagle, Molly, found herself starting fresh in Oregon. Not knowing many people yet, she gave Bumble a try — and that’s when Ethan appeared.


Their first date wasn’t your typical coffee shop meetup. She drove to Newport, where Ethan lived, and they spent their time exploring the coast together. They wandered through tidepools, watched harbor seals, enjoyed a delicious meal, and caught a stunning sunset over the ocean. It was an adventure filled with natural beauty and easy conversation, and Molly gave Ethan her full approval (which, let’s be honest, was the real test).

Those coastal dates quickly became a weekend regular for a while, as they discovered more beautiful beaches and hidden spots along the coast, always finding new ways to enjoy each other’s company.


From that time on, the adventures never stopped. They traveled to Alaska, Washington, Mexico, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento — and took plenty of trips to Bend and Hood River. They also rang in the new year in Nashville in 2024, taking in the music, food, and unforgettable memories. Together, they’ve gone to baseball and football games, laughed at comedy shows, sang loudly at country concerts, explored wineries, gone camping, fishing, shooting, visited Disneyland, and enjoyed their time with their nieces and nephews at zoos and aquariums. 


After a year of dating, they moved in together — settling into her apartment in Independence, just a short drive from Ethan’s family in Keizer. And because her family is spread across California, they made sure everyone got to meet Ethan — and he passed with flying colors. (How could he not? He’s wonderful — funny, sweet, patient, kind, and hardworking.)


Then, one day back where it all began — Agate Beach — everything aligned. They were walking the sand, searching for a sand dollar, with Molly running off-leash, happy as ever. After finding a perfect, unbroken sand dollar, she turned to show Ethan — and he pulled her in and asked her to marry him. He told her he knew she had been waiting for this moment, and he wanted it to be just right. It was. She said yes. They celebrated with wine and sunshine at Lumos Winery, feeling incredibly lucky.


Their love is grounded in partnership — not always 50/50, but always showing up for each other. There are times when one of them is running at full speed, and other times when the other carries a little more weight. But they balance each other out, support each other through the highs and lows, and make sure they’re always in it together — giving their best when they can, and always showing up when the other needs it most.


She’s loud, bubbly, a big planner, social, and a music lover — and he loves her exactly as she is. He’s calm, logical, and thoughtful, new to cooking but always wanting to try making something new, and is happiest outside — camping, cutting down trees, working on his property, and dreaming of a future space they can escape to together. He played baseball through college, loves the game, and still lights up when he talks about it.


He was born and raised in Oregon, the youngest of three boys, and grew up surrounded by the outdoors and a love of sports. His family took road trips all over the country, visiting iconic stadiums and national parks — experiences that sparked his deep appreciation for nature and adventure. He earned his degree at Oregon State and spent nearly a decade as a field biologist for NOAA, working in Alaska and along the Pacific Coast. After years of dedication in the field, he shifted career paths into plumbing, which not only offered him the opportunity to grow professionally with great benefits, it allowed him to relocate to Independence — where they now live, building a life and future together.


She grew up in the Bay Area, and after hopping around a bit, she moved to Oregon four years ago looking for a fresh start and a slower pace. Several months later, she met Ethan. For the last nine years, she’s worked in construction project management, putting her strong communication and organizational skills to good use. She's always been the bright, happy type — the mom of the group who plans the hangouts, road trips, concerts, and celebrations. She’s happiest when she’s out in a beautiful landscape, camera in hand, with Molly by her side. Molly, who’s been with her since she was 22, goes everywhere she can — just like she did the day she met Ethan. She played soccer and softball through high school and still loves anything that gets her moving — bowling, shooting hoops, or tossing a ball around with Ethan. While she’s all for a sundress on a sunny day, she’s just as comfortable in the construction world — holding her own on job sites, speaking up with confidence, and proving she’s right where she belongs.


With both of them working in construction, he in the field and she in the office, they each contribute their expertise in different ways. His focus on steady growth and future planning pairs perfectly with her skills in planning, organization, and problem-solving. Together, they make a great team, always looking ahead to build the future they’ve dreamed of.


Now, they’re ready for their greatest adventure yet — and they can’t wait to celebrate it surrounded by all their favorite people.