Well, we met on Hinge. John was convinced to put himself out there despite some deep skepticism that he'd actually connect with anyone, and Liz had spent several years wading through ho-hum profiles and burning out on mediocre dates. John encountered Liz's profile and she had his attention...like stop him in his tracks woah. He made some "cool" comment about a photo of her backpacking in some stunning landscape and didn't have to wait long for her to reply..."A seven day trip in Glacier NP"...swoon. John's profile listed owls as an interest [big surprise] which intrigued Liz, who is a diehard bird nerd. Having met her share of imposters in the dating world, she expected a lame response when she asked John about his affinity for owls. John pluffed his plumage...."Why YES, I DO love owls!" He shared a video he'd made about the Great Grey Owl, and that he had done spotted owl surveys with the Forestry Service years ago. Whoa...this guy was no amateur! After a quick google of 'John Waller' Liz was dying to know more.
John and Liz decided to meet for their first date: a hike in Forest Park, where they found themselves lost in the beauty of tall, mossy maple trees and deep conversation about life, cancer, parenting, and finding joy through it all. The date went very well. The next day they met up for a picnic, where John showed up with enough food for 10 people. By the end of that date John invited Liz on a three day adventure to hike 17 miles on the North Umpqua Trail with a group of his friends she'd never met. Their conversations were easy and rich and open...that's when you know it's right. John couldn't believe this beautiful independent woman was so interested in him....and Liz found herself dying to know more and more about this wildly interesting hunk of a man.
Three years later, John and Liz still feel incredibly lucky to have each other to love, to support, and fluff their plumage with. Liz has shown John some of her favorite spots in Glacier; John showed Liz a Great Grey Owl. There's still so much more to see, and they can't wait to see it together.