The “Proposal” - the hike where it all happened…
In the heart of the digital age, Corbin and Tammy’s romantic journey began, quite fittingly, on a dating app — a.k.a. Hinge. Corbin, a passionate filmmaker with an animated sense of humor, fell for Tammy, an ambitious management consultant who could match his goofy antics beat for beat. Their exchanges were filled with laughter, shared love for dad jokes, and an uncanny connection that quickly convinced Corbin to take the leap. After a heart-sinking cancellation of their first date due to an unexpected work emergency, Corbin was granted a reprieve weeks later when Tammy decided to say yes to a rescheduled rendezvous. Corbin chose the perfect location for their first date — the Watershed Pub, the same place where he had recently shot his short comedy, "Swipe Right." They laughed, shared stories, and Tammy was even introduced to Tabasco on pizza, a combination she diplomatically declined to enjoy (something she still feels passionate about to this day). In March 2021, Corbin and Tammy found themselves, like many others, sharing a 600 square foot apartment in Seattle – where the bedroom was “conference room A” and the main room was “conference room B.” Seeking additional space, they moved temporarily to Sisters, Oregon into a family member’s spare condominium. After floating the Deschutes river, hiking the Metolius, sipping wine at Evoke, and skiing at Hoodoo, they decided to make the stay permanent and purchased a new home. Four years later, Corbin and Tammy are about to embark on the next chapter of their love story. Their shared journey has been a testament to the power of second chances and the serendipity of shared paths. This theme has been echoed beautifully with the arrival of Zoë, their new rescue dog, with Corbin and Tammy being the second couple to adopt her after she had been returned to the foster system. Echoing the timeless words of Frank Sinatra, they firmly believe, "The best is yet to come."
Discussing our wedding inevitably brings us to the story of the proposal, a moment that didn't unfold as I had meticulously planned. I had envisioned a picturesque scene: proposing in front of a waterfall at dusk, accompanied by a speech rich in verbosity and charm. However, reality took a different turn. The process of getting the ring was fraught with delays, making it challenging to coordinate the proposal without having the ring in hand. I had hoped to align the proposal with the anniversary of our first date on May 15th. Despite the uncertainty from the ring designer, Tammy and I planned to celebrate our anniversary with a hike that Saturday. When the ring finally became available just a few days before our planned hike, I was thrown into a panic. I hastily sought her father's blessing over the phone and organized a surprise engagement party with our local friends for the night of the proposal, intending to stick to the original plan as much as possible. Upon arriving at the trailhead, we were greeted by an unexpected obstacle: the path was completely snowed in, leaving Tammy waist-deep in snow and without snowshoes, an ironic twist given the sunny spring weather. Despite her initial reluctance, we persevered, finding an alternate route through unfamiliar terrain, without cell service to guide us. Miraculously, we found our way to Tamolitch Blue Pool, a place of significant beauty and importance to us both. As we settled down for a picnic by the pool's crystal blue waters, interrupted only by a group of teenagers daring to jump from the cliffs, the moment to propose arrived. Yet, instead of the eloquent speech I had planned, I found myself overwhelmed, managing only to ask, "Do you love me?" Tammy's laughter and gentle urging led me to formally propose, to which she joyfully said yes. Our engagement was then celebrated by our unsuspecting friends who had prepared a surprise party at our home, making the day unforgettable despite the unforeseen challenges. This series of unplanned events only underscored the unpredictable nature of our journey together, a journey filled with love, adaptation, and the joy of shared experiences.