THE BEGINNING: Like many couples in 2019, Erik and Ashley met using Bumble. Ashley had her fair share of whatever first dates through the app. Erik, on the other hand, had only ever scored one match–Ashley! Meeting strangers through the internet isn’t always easy, but Ashley thought Erik looked familiar from UCLA. She asked her close friend Laina, another fellow Bruin, "was this guy in Board Club with you?" to which she replied, "That's Woody!" With the confirmation that Erik was not a total weirdo, the two made plans to bike through Golden Gate Park during a rare SF heat wave. The conversation flowed more freely than the lite beer Ashley brought from her recent birthday party. The two realized they shared many mutual friends from UCLA, a preference for NorCal over SoCal, and a love of the outdoors. The evening ended with a fantastic sunset at Ocean Beach and plans for a second date were quickly made. COVID AND NOMADING: The first months of the relationship were filled with a myriad of experiences and adventures: running to make it for the last song at the local Karaoke bar, overnight trips to Mammoth, Ashley’s famous backyard brunches, Erik keeping Ashley out past her bedtime at techno clubs, going to shows, hikes, etc. While the pandemic lockdowns changed what Ashley and Erik could do together, the two merged bubbles, cooked countless tasty recipes, played rummikub, and socially-distanced in the park with friends. In November 2020, Erik found himself with departing roommates and a desire to leave his apartment which Ashley aptly named the “cueva” as it had horrible lighting. Yearning for a change of scenery, Erik pitched the idea of Ashley ditching her apartment to travel the country. The idea of “moving in” together and only spending time with each other in a place where neither had friends for an indefinite digital nomad journey may have been daunting, yet Ashley was swayed by the prospect of living in Portland, and both wanted to see where this relationship would take them. And take them places it did! They spent 4 months in Portland, OR becoming even more granola in the rainy Willamette valley, 2 months in Bozeman exploring all of Montana’s natural beauty while avoiding grizzly bears, and 2 months in Truckee living in a perpetual summer camp. It was during these 8 months of adventure, excessive “just the two of us” time, and joy amidst the craziness of reality that Ashley and Erik realized they had something special. PRESENT: Like many things, the grand road trip had to end, so the two moved back to San Francisco in July 2021 to cohabitate in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The adventures continued for a couple of years and the two agreed they should spend the rest of their lives together. Disregarding tradition, they booked a wedding venue before getting engaged. For the eventual proposal, Erik had the brilliant idea to do it during their annual “ski during the Super Bowl” trip to Tahoe. However, the jig was up when Erik told Ashley he made reservations at their favorite restaurant in Tahoe, Gar Woods, and Ashley immediately asked with a massive grin, “Are you going to propose to me on the dock??” Plans thwarted and only having weeks before Ashley was to go dress shopping, Erik needed an alternative. Fortunately, the opportunity presented itself the Friday before the ski trip happened with an amazing day that reminded Erik of their first date at Ocean Beach. Ashley is always in the mood for beach sunsets, so the two quickly biked down to the bluffs with homemade cocktails. A spot was found, cuddles were had, the question was asked, the answer was yes, and Erik probably cried more than Ashley. And until after they were engaged, Ashley didn’t mention she knew Erik was going to propose then as well. That leads us to today! We are in the midst of planning and cannot wait to celebrate with you all on October 12.