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How it Began

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Like every good modern love story, ours started on Hinge. We matched over a shared love of music, and conversation came easily from the very start. After our first date, we discovered something unexpected: A mutual fondness for a quiet, niche stretch of Washington’s far northwestern coast. A place most people, even Washington natives, have never heard of ventured to. Justin had long loved the area for camping and surfing. Heather’s family has a longtime history with the area and frequently spent summers there, but she had no idea that people surfed out there. That summer, when she went on their annual trip, he inspired Heather to give it a try. She booked a lesson with her mom, and on her very first lesson, she stood up!

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A Wave and Then a Text

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When Heather returned home from that trip, she reached out to Justin to thank him, not just for the recommendation but for inspiring her to discover something genuinely cathartic. Surfing had brought her more joy than she’d felt in years, and she wanted him to know that, even if he had moved on.

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Rocky Road & Lavender Gin

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With schedules and life, being what they are, it took a little while for them to reconnect. But Heather had brought something back for Justin from a local shop in Westport; a bottle of locally made lavender-infused gin, and they arranged to meet to drop it off. They met at Atticus Coffee & Gifts, a cozy local spot, and Heather fully expected it to be a brief, final goodbye. She showed up in her most comfortable jeans, a Seattle Seahawks crewneck, and her most natural self.

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She could not have been more wrong about how the afternoon would go.

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Justin walked in looking even more handsome than she remembered, dressed in sharp business casual. They ordered their drinks and fell right back into conversation. It was just as effortless, warm, and easy like before. When Heather handed over his gift, Justin surprised her with one of his own: a pint of Rocky Road ice cream, her favorite flavor.

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He had remembered, and that made her heart melt faster than the ice cream the longer they talked! What was supposed to be a quick exchange of gifts turned into hours of seamless conversation. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Building a Life Together

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Justin moved in with Heather in the summer of 2024 and promptly won over the toughest critic in the household: Jasper, her Miniature Australian Shepherd, who is not impressed easily and is her fiercest protector. Justin was the first of Heather’s significant others to earn his genuine love and respect and not receive a nip on the butt of disapproval.

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We’ve happily settled into life in the Spokane Valley suburbs, working toward our goals side by side. Last year, we adopted one more to the family: Milo, a chatty tabby cat, full of personality.

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Justin proposed to Heather on October 13, 2025.

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The proposal was quiet, beautiful, and exactly right. Justin’s close friend’s wife, Becky, captured the moment on camera, and reflecting back at the memory, the whole experience feels almost surreal. It was full of signs and candid moments that seemed to carry the warmth and blessing of loved ones that are no longer with us. Our family and friends were overjoyed when we shared the news.

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We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with the people we love most, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Heather, Justin, Jasper, & Milo