Nate and Grace’s love story began as a friendship. They had both studied at UC Davis and graduated in 2017 but never crossed paths until the spring of 2019 when they met through mutual friends. Nate had been living in Petaluma and working for Lagunitas Brewing Company after graduating from school while Grace had been abroad working harvest internships to gain experience in winemaking. Grace had moved back home to Healdsburg when a convergence of events found them in the same circle of friends.

A close-knit friend group of six was soon formed: Nate, Grace, and two long-term dating couples spent the summer getting to know each other over many charcuterie boards and craft brewery visits before Grace moved to Napa to start the last of her winemaking internships. Fast-forward to spring of 2020 and we all know what happened then – a global pandemic. The group of six friends then became a lifeline during uncertain times. Nate and Grace along with their friends went on hikes nearly every Saturday, cooked together, worked out in front yards or garages, and leaned on each other for support. Nate and Grace’s friendship flourished amidst the trials of the pandemic, laying the groundwork for their future relationship.

On Christmas Day of 2020, Nate asked Grace out as they neared the end of a hike in Annadel State Park and they planned to eat fresh sourdough sandwiches on the beach and see where it went from there. Over their 3-plus years of dating, the couple have been there for each other through career changes, moves, and new academic pursuits. Grace decided to leave the wine industry and pursue a career in nursing soon after they started dating, worked hard over 2 years to complete her prerequisite courses while working full time, and started a Master’s program in nursing in January of 2024. Nate also chose to follow a different career path, leaving the brewery to become a Chemical Process Engineer for a consulting company in Santa Clara where he helps design large-scale manufacturing facilities. They have enjoyed life by each other’s side and grown closer with each camping trip, beach house stay, and hike through the redwoods. Nate made it official, proposing to Grace on March 15, 2024, on one of their favorite hikes in Jenner Headlands Preserve. They look forward to many more fresh sourdough sandwiches shared on the beach for the rest of their lives.