After 30 years, all of them right here in Oregon, I was finally ready to get serious about finding a partner. I'd gotten an engineering degree, settled into a career I loved, and was filling my time with great friendships and outdoor adventures. The more pieces that fell into place, the more I wanted someone special to share it with. Eventually, that desire overcame my fear of online dating. This profile photo, kindly taken by Brian Clark while we walked for coffee at work, was my first big step.
Born and raised in Findlay, Ohio, I couldn't wait to set out for college in the big city. Seeking a degree in business, skyscrapers, concert venues and new adventures, in Chicago I found all of the above and some amazing friends.
In 2014 I took the leap to follow my interest in wine to the west coast. As I settled into Portland, I made the most of my new pacific northwest life by learning to hike, camp, backpack and ski all the while deeply wishing to meet someone to share it all with.
"Hey Christina, the Frenchie in a sweater drew me in but then I looked at your profile and you turned out to be very cool as well! :)"
On January 11, 2020 Sam and I met for the first time over coffee. We made small talk for a while. Just as I was finishing up my coffee thinking, "well, maybe this isn't going to go anywhere..." we struck up an engaging conversation and talked for an hour over empty coffee mugs barely noticing anything going on around us! And with that, we started dating.
The first two months we dated were blissfully normal but in March 2020 most places began closing due to the pandemic. We both began working from home and hanging out a lot more, splitting time between Sam's new home in Beaverton and my apartment in Portland. We worked on his house, planted a garden, walked around the empty streets of Portland and I learned how to cut his hair by watching Youtube videos! It was a scary time but also a sweet and simple opportunity to get to know each other.
On Feb. 14, 2021, Sam and I received the best Valentine's Day present we could have asked for - our Australian Labradoodle, Archer was born! We drove down together to pick him up on April 10 and he's been claiming an ever-increasing spot in our hearts - and sofa! - ever since. Archer's arrival turned our nascent relationship into the foundation for a family and Sam and I into a team. Our pup keeps us laughing and loving every day.
Sam and I traveled to visit my family in Ohio for Christmas 2021. While we were there, my parents, grandma, Sam and I rented a cabin in the woods where we hiked, sat by the fire and enjoyed the hot tub.
One night Sam asked me if I'd get a picture with him in front of the Christmas tree. While we were standing there posing, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!
Eventually, I quit saying "oh my god, stop it!!" and Sam managed to extract my hand out of my pocket. I shook my head yes - I don't think I actually said it! - and he slipped on my finger a beautiful 110 year old diamond ring.
It means so much to me that he planned the proposal so that my parents and grandma could be there for it. It was a precious moment I will never forget.