Our story is simple...

William and Erin met online through Match.com and chatted for about a week before William gathered the courage to ask Erin out. Someone was looking down on them as Erin considered canceling the date as she was sick of one bad date after another, thank goodness she came.

On July 13, 2019, they met for the first time at an Italian restaurant in downtown Tucson. Since then, they’ve celebrated their anniversary there every year. William arrived early, but Erin, running late, messaged him to push the date by 30 minutes. She ultimately showed up 45 minutes late due to difficult parking. William still insists she was 90 minutes late, which Erin disputes vehemently. They had a wonderful dinner, covering all the taboo first-date topics—religion, politics, Scottish strippers—and discovered their compatibility despite some differences. They parted ways without a kiss, to Erin’s disappointment, but had their first kiss after a few more dates.

William and Erin, both very busy, soon figured out a schedule that worked for them and began seeing each other regularly. When COVID hit in 2020, they got to know each other even better. Erin couldn’t referee, and William couldn’t train in martial arts or go to the climbing gym, so they went on multiple hikes and climbed Mount Lemmon. When Mount Lemmon caught fire that year, they turned to canyoneering and camping trips throughout Arizona.

Once everything reopened, they realized they still enjoyed each other’s company. Quiet William and spirited Erin were “two terrible peas in a terrible pod.” They moved in together in January 2022, deepening their love. Erin knew William was the one within 3-6 months, but William took a bit longer. They made it there in the end. Their proposal date puzzled many as their wedding Save the Date cards had already been sent. They booked a wedding venue, went on a pre-wedding honeymoon in Scotland, and finally got engaged. The typical order of events.

In August 2023, they traveled to Scotland after several COVID-thwarted international vacation attempts. Exploring the Scottish Highlands was deeply meaningful for them as both have Scottish heritage. They camped out of a moving van, hiked up waterfalls, wandered through lush forests, and soaked in the beauty of this wonderful country.

In early 2023, they started discussing marriage and began designing an engagement ring in May. Due to a series of delays, the ring wasn’t finished until March 2024. On March 12, in San Diego, William got down on one knee and proposed. Though they’re unsure if Erin actually said yes, her tears of joy were a clear indication.

The ring holds special significance as they designed it together, incorporating gold from both their families. They call it their “sourdough starter gold.” Erin’s contributions included her maternal grandmother’s engagement ring and her paternal grandfather’s wedding band, along with pieces worn by her parents. William’s contributions included gold his father found while living in Scotland, and gold William found as a child while panning with his family. This ring symbolizes the union of their families, with the extra gold to be used for their wedding bands and future jewelry.

To round out their story, both being a bit crazy, they bought their first house together, closing on April 19th, 2024. Moving is a huge endeavor, but buying a fixer upper 5 months before a wedding is downright insane. They are somehow making it work and figure if they can make it through this crazy adventure they can make it through the rest of their lives together.

As you read this and RSVP to their wedding, know that heritage and culture are dear to them. They are planning a Scottish-themed wedding with kilts, bagpipers, and traditions from their German, Nordic, and Croatian heritages. They encourage everyone, especially those from different cultures, to wear their formal cultural attire. They hope to see you there, as each of you has shaped their journey in some way.