OUR STORY

I moved to Portland in 2017 with two of my best friends, Jenna and Olivia, after we finished physical therapy school. Besides exploring Portland, one of our favorite activities was scrolling and giggling on Bumble and other dating apps together. As our first year in Portland was ending, and they were planning to move back to the Midwest, I received a “SUPER LIKE” from Jeff on my Bumble app. If you don’t know, this is a very special distinction.

I liked Jeff’s profile--he had pictures of him with his grandpa, and with friends, and seemed fun! We decided to meet up at a restaurant only a block away from my house called Interurban. I knew it was going to be a good date right away--Jeff didn’t lie about his height! He also was really easy to talk to, and asked me lots of questions--he was genuinely interested in learning about me. I liked that he was funny and full of stories. Since we had met at the bar, Jeff drove me the block home in his truck. Weird coincidence--Olivia was also on a “first date” of sorts with her now husband, also named Jeff. They were sitting on the porch as my Jeff struggled to parallel park in front of our house, and they never let him live it down!

I also remember another early date to the Portway, a local dive bar that also happened to be a Packer bar. Jeff made a Velveeta cheese dip in a crock pot for everyone there, and I was very impressed with his culinary skills and Midwestern sensibility. My parents were also amazed to hear that I was dating someone who made me a cheese dip and was willing to watch the Pack with me. The Portway is no more, but it will remain forever in our hearts!

As Jeff and I got more serious, my friends moved away… and I decided to stay. Who knows what would have happened if we hadn’t crossed paths when we did, thanks to that SUPER LIKE. The rest is history!

Kelly and I met on a blind date after being set up by our mutual friend, the internet. I thought the date went great and was surprised at how fast the time flew by while we talked. I remember being so impressed with her PT career and how smart and dedicated she clearly was. I also got a sense of how much her friends and family meant to her and loved hearing about her journey out from the Midwest. We talked about growing up with German Shepherds, Ann Arbor, Motown, and Ford. I walked her home and prayed that she’d be up for a second date.

After several dates, Kelly and I ventured up to my favorite bar, the Portway (RIP). The former site of the “PW” isn’t far from our home now but was quite a trek from my condo and Kelly’s old house. The Portway was a great place to watch Packers games but was far from what one might consider a “fine dining” establishment. I brought a crockpot full of cheese dip to share with the bar and hoped for the best. The date was a hit! We spent hours having the best time; eating cheese, drinking cheap beer, and cheering for the Pack. The time we spent was so comfortable and fun, I knew Kelly was someone very special.

In our time together, Kelly and I have experienced a global pandemic, job changes, a new house, a new puppy, and countless other adventures. I could not be more excited to spend the rest of my life with Kelly and all the adventures that await!