This is the story of a true Tinderella and how she met the Viking prince.

Once upon a time, a strapping young man named Jonas left his home in Norway in the pursuit of knowledge and less brutal winters. His computer savvy landed him in the heart of Silicon Valley for a while. He was surrounded by like-minded peers, but not many women--a productive environment, but not a fun one. A new engineering job led Jonas to San Francisco, where he found himself looking to meet people in the big, exciting city.

Meanwhile, Susanna toiled away at her lack-luster oil refinery job, dreaming for a prince to come save her from the monotony. Susanna was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and after years and years of running into the same people she'd known since kindergarten, she decided to give online dating a chance.

The world of Tinder is a scary one--lots of beasts and monsters out there. By the time Susanna started talking to Jonas, she had all but given up hope. For their first date--an impromptu meeting for coffee--she showed up with unkempt hair, Birkenstock sandals, and a men's sweatshirt. She'd just come from a failed attempt to kiteboard nearby, but this was unapparent to Jonas, who read her as a girl that wasn't interested in impressing her date.

Both Jonas and Susanna immediately recognized that the other wasn't interested, and yet they felt instinctively that the date shouldn't end. Instead, they went on a walk and with both parties relaxed, talked more freely. Jonas felt comfortable asking interesting but controversial questions, and Susanna answered without hesitation. Without the pressure of being “On A Date”, Jonas and Susanna were able to bond quickly and the “date-turned-not-a-date” changed back into a date again. By the time the clock struck 12, Susanna was sure that Jonas would text her again.

And text her he did!! Unlike other suitors, Prince Jonas used flair and creativity in his messages. He was reliable and respectful and planned their next date: In-N-Out Burger in his supercool car, Sharky. Susanna, up in her highest castle in the tallest tower, was impressed by the man who could be so elegant yet so casual. She wasn’t sold quite yet though--was he fun? Would he like her friends and family? Jonas for his part, had just one test for the beautiful Susanna: “How many centimeters are there in a meter?” “100, duh, I studied engineering?!” And that was that for him.

Over the next few months, Susanna and Jonas went on many exciting adventures that were new to both of them: music festivals, road trips to LA, company trips to Tahoe…. And slowly but surely, the couple developed their own “favorites”: a breakfast cafe, a dip in the hot tub, a walk to the coffee shop where they first met, a Netflix series. It was all seeming very couple-y. This was more than apparent to Susanna and Jonas’ friends who supported them and encouraged them to grow closer together (Thanks, friends!!)

Under the sparkling fireworks after a beautiful music concert, Jonas told Susanna that she should call him “Boyfriend.” This was the first time Susanna would use that word… with anybody. It was totally uncharted territory for the girl with a hundred boy-friends but no boyfriend. Jonas made every moment of the night special, periodically stopping to reveal in whispers all the feelings he had for her. It seemed hard to top this romantic milestone in their relationship, but when it came to a marriage proposal, Jonas had no problem.

In spring of 2017, he had decided that soon would be the time to ask Susanna to marry him. And for months, Susanna had known in her heart that the answer would be yes. But they never sat down and discussed it...They were F-U-N fun! Each brought joy and energy into the other’s life in a way that felt like pure addictive adrenaline. Susanna and Jonas were always on the move, making plans and the next big plan was to participate in Burning Man, the largest hippie festival in the world. Jonas suspected there would be a romantic opportunity in the otherworldly desert full of loving strangers.

On the morning of Aug 31, 2017, with the red sun rising and gently warming the desert, Jonas and Susanna visited the Temple--a sacred Burning Man landmark. Jonas took Susanna’s hand a drew her a few feet away from the crowds. He knelt; she cried. Everything was wrapped up in that moment and it was just them two. They hugged and kissed and Prince Jonas carried Tinderella Susanna up on his shoulders, walking around the world which, just 5 minutes ago was a temporary campout, but which now felt like the first day of forever. They were greeted by a lovely woman with a professional camera who offered to capture the moment, and encouraged Susanna not to try to stop the tears of joy from flowing.

After that, the event could not get any better. The newly engaged slowly made their way back to camp, reveling in the life and possibilities before them. Susanna was shocked--how did he know?! How did Jonas assess that my deepest wish for a proposal was that it take me completely by surprise? And that, it did. Susanna didn’t even think about a ring until she found her friend and shared the news. Her friend was shocked and happy for them and asked to see it. “We don’t have one yet but whatever!” said Susanna. Little did she know that Jonas the Romantic had had a ring made custom by a friend in Norway and it was sitting there waiting for her in the car.

Jonasanna decided it was time to go home. The heat was hot, the dust was dirty, and there would be no better way to celebrate than sleeping in real beds. Jonas drove Susanna’s little blue Subaru out of Black Rock City and into cell reception, where she called her parents in Europe. They were overjoyed, though not the least bit surprised. Although they’d only met Jonas twice at the beginning of their relationship, The Nordrums felt sure that Susanna had found her match. Jonas told his mother who was equally happy, but even less surprised since it was she who smuggled the ring in from Norway during a vacation with Jonas that summer!

Susanna and Jonas are very excited to continue living their lives together even closer and spend time with family and friends in the California and Norway. The city of Sausalito is the perfect setting for their marriage, with sweeping city views, lush green mountainsides, and close proximity to all their San Francisco friends. Their ceremony will be held by the gregarious and funny Father Chip who happens to speak Danish (and thereby, some Norwegian) at a quaint little wooden church. Built in 1880, this church is considered “old” for an American building and is reminiscent of the stave churches in Norway. We look forward to seeing you all there!!!