In 2021, on the heels of a global pandemic, I decided to whip myself back into shape and get a little adventure by joining a running and rock climbing club at my local gym. A month or so in, the club went to get food and drinks at the usual watering hole, and I found myself seated across the table from a new member: Marissa Burke. She was, and still is, extremely beautiful, a delight to talk to, and shared my interest for getting outside. My lucky day! I remember our first conversation vividly. I found out that Marissa shares a love for our local Vancouver library, so I asked her if she likes to read. Marissa, who speaks multiple languages, studied literature in college, and is a professional writer, kindly responded that she does, in fact, like to read. 

I eventually worked up the courage to ask Marissa out on a date and I was kindly rejected. However, Marissa and I continued going to our weekly running club, bumped into each other at the gym, spent the summer riding bikes, went hiking, met each other's friends, drank coffee, and really enjoyed each other's company. It was a lovely summer of genuine friendship, and I still think of it fondly to this day. After all this, in October 2022, Marissa surprised me by asking me out on a date. I don't think it surprised her when I agreed. 

Marissa and I have had so much fun together since I met her over 4 years ago. We've traveled to some incredible places, built a home together, planted gardens, climbed mountains, and adopted a cat. I consider myself incredibly lucky, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

I met Terris in early 2022, when I was very ready to be out in the world building community again. A friend invited me to Rock n Run, a running and climbing club, where I met several wonderful people, including Terris. We had a friendly conversation about the library, and I was intrigued. The more time we spent time together, the more I looked forward to our conversations. I thought he was genuinely a kind person, something I now know with my whole heart.

Even though he was interested, and yes, handsome, I wasn't ready to date. I tried to let him down gently, but worried it would end our new friendship. It was the opposite. Terris became an amazing friend. We spent a summer rock climbing with and without the club, running, riding bikes, watching nerdy tv shows, and simply enjoyed being together. I still smile thinking about it.

One weekend, I invited him to meet friends who were visiting. When he told me he was busy, I was surprised about how disappointed I felt. It took me a little while to understand that I wanted him to meet the people I care about. I missed him. Once I realized that, I hoped it wasn't too late. I risked the friendship by asking him if he still wanted to go on a date with me (10 months later), and I was very lucky he said yes.

Since then we have gone on many adventures, climbed lots of rocks, celebrated milestones, and built a beautiful life together. And since this is a wedding, I'm allowed to be cheesy and say that I'm so dang happy that I'm marrying my best friend.