In 2014, Katherine and Nolen met through Nolen’s high school friend who was Katherine's college roommate. Their humor and personalities sparked a fast friendship which grew over the year amidst group hangouts at the apartment, meetups at the campus climbing gym, and TV & movie marathons. Romantic tensions also grew, but it was Nolen's first year at Oregon State University and Katherine's last - not an ideal situation for a lasting relationship. But come summertime, when Katherine moved back to Washington while Nolen remained in Oregon, the distance only pulled them closer. Not wanting to lose a best friend and potential love, they gave in to the romantic pull and officially started dating.

The next few years were spent in a mid-distance relationship, connecting over the phone and in-person whenever time allowed. When Nolen graduated in 2018, taking a job in Arizona, they decided to make the move together after traveling the Yucatan. Their Arizona apartment became a home with the addition of three rabbits, then in 2020 they bought and moved into a house. Katherine and Nolen enjoy seeking out various adventures like their many hikes and music festivals and their 2022 trip to Bali.

On a chilly Saturday morning, we went for a hike at the Hassayampa River Preserve up in Wickenburg, AZ. KATHERINE "Hiking is something we've both started doing together since moving down to Arizona, so although I had my suspicions that day (I knew he had a ring, bought 12 months prior), I never knew when he'd pop the question. We got to the top of a hill with a lookout and, like the nerd I am, was studiously matching the horizon's peaks to those on the educational sign. When I turn around to look for my boyfriend, Nolen's on one knee and begins a beautiful speech about our journey together and how he'd love to spend the rest of his life with ME! Honestly, the details are a little fuzzy thanks to the overwhelming excitement and joy that was rushing over me while hearing his words and seeing the love in his face. So, of course I said "YES!" and walked out of those woods with a fiancé!" NOLEN "Since moving down to Arizona, we've adjusted to the heat and the desert, but growing up in the Pacific Northwest left me wanting to propose somewhere full of natural beauty. While driving home from a climbing trip, I spied a beautiful valley filled with trees nestled in the mountains fairly close to home and knew it was the spot. I only told Katherine that I'd found a pretty hike for us the next weekend. The Cottonwoods were a pale yellow in the morning light when we got there. We wandered the reserve until we ended up at the top of a ridge overlooking the valley. As Katherine was reading the landmark placard, I pulled the ring from my pocket and got on a knee behind her and just waited, snapping a quick picture while she was distracted. When she finished going through the landmarks and turned back to me, we had a moment where we both laughed - she thought I was just riling her up, but I knew I had her ring in my pocket. She said yes." We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you!