Our story is a COVID love story. Nathan recently had moved back to Portland after spending seven years in the Bay and just so happened to match with Yuka on a dating app called Hinge.


Not having dated at all in Portland Nathan suggested the two meet at a bar called the Vault in the Pearl District. When they arrived, it just so happens that we were the only people there. Nathan of course made the joke that he had rented out the place himself and Yuka's genuine laugh was a great sign that she might surrender to the relentless charm of Nathan's dad jokes and sarcasm.


Quickly, Nathan fell for Yuka's sweet smile and adventurous spirit. He also loved how motherly she was towards her golden retriever Rupert and through the coming months began to enjoy co-parenting this loveable pup. In December 2020 Nathan decided to commit to living in Portland and signed a lease in the Carson apartments not too far from Yuka's place in the Pearl.


That first year we were blessed to travel the country to be a part of friends weddings, explore new cities, and get to enjoy life as a new couple learning what it means to create a life together. We grew close to each other's families and enjoyed getting to bring the two groups together as much as possible.


Fast forward to now, and we have had such a full life together with so much more excitement and love ahead of us. Yuka has done an incredible job navigating her career and transitioned from a med-surg nurse to a level 3 neonatal ICU nurse. Nathan has ascended to be a Director at Salesforce and continues to enjoy working from home with the occasional work trip around the country.


This past year was one full of tremendous growth and change as we bought a house in Lake Oswego and remodeled it, had to say goodbye to our beloved Rupert due to aggressive cancer that cut his life too short, and are now planning this amazing wedding bringing together our favorite people to celebrate our love and commitment.


We are so thankful to those of you that can make the trip out to Maui, and are very excited to celebrate with you all in July!