Written by Dylan

The first time I saw Sarah was when she was running up Colfax High School’s senior steps. From that moment, there was an undeniable spark. Sarah was everything that could light up a room—intelligent, bubbly, independent, and absolutely enchanting. I, and everyone around, were instantly captivated.

I started my earnest but unsuccessful attempts to win her over—awkward expressions of love like home deliveries of tea and classroom peonies —the timing just wasn't right. We shared laughs, inside jokes, and even went to prom together, but a relationship remained just out of reach.

Life took us in different directions after high school. I headed to UC Davis, and Sarah went to UC Berkeley a year later. We each carved our own paths, made new friends, and gathered stories to tell. Years passed, and we lost touch.

Then, during Thanksgiving of 2018, fate intervened back in Auburn. We started running into each other—at the grocery store, at REI – as if the universe was nudging us together. We reconnected, sharing adventures in San Francisco and Berkeley, catching up on lost time. Yet, despite the rekindled spark, the timing still wasn't quite right. I tried every trick in the book—flowers, concerts, you name it—but Sarah remained just out of reach.

Fast forward to 2020, when the world stood still. Both of us moved back home, and suddenly, we found ourselves in the same place with time on our hands. We began spending more moments together—long talks, shared laughter over dinner, and the simple joy of each other's company. I, ever the hopeless romantic, took Sarah on a sunrise kayak trip. As the world woke up around us, something between us finally clicked.

We officially began our journey together on August 1st, just a day before my birthday. Since then, we've grown closer, embracing each other's families, friends, and dreams. We've built a life filled with love, laughter, and the occasional adventure gone awry (ask us about the concert we almost missed, or the bunny ranch).

Eventually, on Whidbey Island – a spot that holds countless memories and meaning for us, I proposed, and Sarah said yes, turning our simple twist of fate into a lifelong journey.

Now, we're excited to start this new chapter together and can't wait to celebrate with all the people who have been part of our story.

- Written by Dylan, talk to Sarah if you want the truth!