Our story
Written by James
Our first date.
Hannah sent James a Bumble message that much like her goldendoodle, Nova, was short, sweet and with a little bite.
James, too floored by her beauty to play it cool, responded immediately with earnest enthusiasm (and a lot of bite—like his pitbull Pastrami).
To his surprise, Hannah replied with a bold proposition that would change their lives forever.
“Wanna grab a drink?”
Terrified of fumbling this golden goddess, James proposed a meetup at an underground Tiki Bar, Three Dots and a Dash.
The night of their first date, James arrived 45 minutes early* and Hannah arrived 45 minutes late, the first sign of their perfectly complementary natures—Hannah, the artist, and James, the writer.
*He waited an hour and a half for her, which was well worth it.
The plot thickens.
Shortly thereafter, Hannah left for a long European vacation with her girlfriends. Nervous that he’d lose out to some smelly Frenchman, James sent one of her bridesmaids (and his grade school classmate!) a small token of his affection to be spent on cheese, bread, and wine.
It worked because upon her return they kept hanging out and things went so well that James invited Hannah to his best friend, Dylan's* wedding in Seattle that summer.
After, they extended their trip and headed for nearby Whidbey Island, where they drove around swapping songs, eating oysters, and falling in love.
*Our officiant
Our home.
Over the next year, they went on numerous adventures, none more formative than a cross-country road trip to California. On the way back, James got to meet the Smiths in Austin and explore Hannah’s hometown, and Hannah got to meet James’ family in Missouri (who immediately approved).
By year-end, things were going so well that they moved in together into Hannah’s beautiful Wicker Park home where they would cook, dance, and continue building their life together.
The proposal.
After a Year Two filled with concerts, fireworks, dinner parties, and somehow even more weddings, James knew that she was the one.
He was so sure and so impatient, that he asked Hannah’s dad for permission through the window of his car as he dropped them off after dinner.
A few weeks later, just before a trip to Hawaii for Hannah’s birthday, James surprised Hannah in her hometown by proposing in front of her family and friends at Flo’s wine bar (she said yes).
And now we’re here, let’s dance.