of monotony. Their time with one another was exciting no matter what they were doing. Once, after spending hours in the park before migrating to a backyard fire chat, Jeff and Taylor were witness to the most horrendous sound imaginable. They peered around the hedges to find a car flipped upside-down in the middle of the road, after having crashed into another parked car. Taylor watched, stunned, as Jeff tilted the car up just enough to pry open the door that seemed to be smashed into the pavement. The driver got out and appeared (all things considered) okay, albeit shaken up. The shock was still setting in when another car pulled up and that driver asked if they could do anything to help. The first driver said, “get me out of here,” and the strangers drove off together — leaving Jeff and Taylor speechless, outside with the damaged cars as neighbors started to come out and sirens could be heard in the distance. That was their first date. Jeff remembers Taylor’s pink hair and overalls. Taylor remembers Jeff's striped shirt, and that he rescued someone from a car crash. Although subsequent dates may not have all held quite the same buzz, they each helped build the foundation of trust, communication, friendship, growth, admiration, respect, and love that fuel the relationship they thrive on today. Taylor initially won Jeff over with homemade rosemary bagels, garlic focaccia, and her confectionery capabilities. Jeff first won Taylor over with his immediate confidence in her to not kill the snake plant that he gifted her from his own collection on their second date, despite her insisting she had killed every other plant she’d ever had. Early on, Jeff and Taylor spent many nights squeezed together in Taylor's tiny attic bedroom, watching movies on a Hello Kitty box TV and sharing space with Lola, whom Jeff was severely allergic to. Both having lived with a handful of roommates at the time; Jeff, Taylor, and Lola took a trip to Brookings, Oregon where they rented a house for the weekend, walked the beach, went for a hike, and laughed uncontrollably as they stirred risotto for what felt like an eternity. It was their first time playing house, and it was perfect. Taylor fell in love with the way Jeff treated his friends, how his passion fed his creative talents, and how deeply he cared for her while still considering her excessive need for independence. Jeff fell in love with Taylor’s incredible thoughtfulness and care for the people close to them, as well as compassion for complete strangers. Nearly five years after they’d met, Jeff took Taylor (and Lola) to a familiar favorite spot on the coast on his birthday, where he proposed at the top of the sand dunes. She was completely unsuspecting and it was private and authentic in the most ideal way. They were overjoyed, and toasted with champagne before sharing the news with family and friends. They celebrated that evening with the loved ones that were coming over for Jeff’s birthday, most of whom he’d already told. Taylor and Jeff can’t wait to play house and stir risotto forever. P.S. Jeff is no longer allergic to Lola, and the snake plant is still alive.