Join us as we take the leap

In May of 2016 after the annual fun-run and 8 mile costumed street party, Bay to Breakers, of all the parties in all the neighborhoods in all of San Francisco, Carrie ended up in Adam's back yard, fatigued and donning a dragon headdress. Despite the boyfriend at the time, and Carrie's friends running interference, the chemistry was tangible - after all, who could resist the charm of the Aussie pirate? Pirates wear flipflops and black Tshirts, right? After a few years of a budding friendship, and one or two false starts because Carrie is a slow learner, the magic of Zachary's Pizza and Smitten ice cream bonded this pair. Shortly thereafter we moved in together, Adam inherited Carrie's (and Lee and Coreen's) German Shepherd, Odin, and the rest is history.

For years we'd talked strictly about not getting married. After all, wasn't choosing to wake up next to our person every day more romantic, or meaningful, than being legally required to do so? Maybe he had a change of heart, or maybe it was all part of the elaborate plan to throw Carrie off the scent - either way, Adam found himself luring Carrie up a mountain with a ring in his backpack and a question in his heart. Naturally, the day began with a quarrel about which trail we'd hike. Finally Carrie conceded to take on a 10 mile incline in $20 tennis shoes from Ross with the promise of amazing views and unusual volcanic formations at the summit. After a grueling ascent, Carrie perused possible routes to rock climb, while Adam scouted out the perfect spot - which he found, nestled on a private ledge accessible only by limboing under a fallen boulder. Calling Carrie through, and playing it cool initially by taking selfies and focusing on the views, Adam hoped that Carrie would take interest in the box without any nudging. But Carrie's focus wouldn't be broken from the vista. After an interminable amount of time, he feigned genuine curiosity, 'hey, what's that at your feet?' Carrie responded, 'I don't know, probably somebody's ashes, or something weirdly spiritual' (Mt. Shasta is home to liberal crystal healers, conservative survivalists, and psychics alike - she learned not to make assumptions). 'Oh shit' was the thought running through Adam's head, but out of his mouth came 'uhhhhh looks too small to be someone's ashes, you have to be curious right?' Carrie had seen one too many horror movies in the previous few months and wasn't taking any chances on releasing a jinn so Adam had to take matters into his own hands, kneeling down with her and opening up the box to reveal a shiny ring. Adam began a touching, genuine speech, something about 'imagining so many different futures - US/Australia, city/mountains.... - but the one constant is you...'. Carrie wasn't amused that Adam would joke around with someone else's thoughtfully placed surprise and told him to stop messing around. Only when she saw the expression on his face did her own expression change to something like 'oh shit, you're serious' and shortly after to a beaming smile. Realizing that they were on the edge of a cliff and he also had the car keys she sensibly said 'yes' to his proposal.