Our Story
How we met...
Jamie and Chris first met in person at a cozy wine tasting room in Woodinville called The Library June 8th, 2012. They first met on eHarmony and corresponded for 3 months before their busy schedules aligned for a date at the Library, one of Jamie's favorite wineries. She arrived well ahead of time and settled in with a glass of Long Shadows Feather. Chris also arrived early and walked up to the open door of the tasting room to scope it out. Inside he saw a gorgeous woman in green dress talking to an older gentleman. He thought to himself, "that can't be my date since she's far too beautiful from the pictures I've seen". Chris walked into the adjoining tasting room to pass the time until his date arrived. As he pretended to be interested in their cheese and jam selections, he kept glancing through the door at the woman in green in the other room. Eventually he realized that it was Jamie and went to introduce himself.
They spent the next several hours conversing with each other. During this time another couple sat down next to Jamie and Chris and the four of them chatted. At some point, the other couple inquired how long they had been married, since they were talking so freely and with ease with each other. They were quite surprised to find that it was their first date! A group picture was taken by the couple, which we were eventually able to obtain through the help of a friend that worked at The Library.
The date was going so well Chris decided he should take Jamie out to dinner that very evening so they walked across the street to Purple Cafe. They ended up sharing each other's dinner, which for a first date would seem a bit odd, but they already felt a strong and comfortable connection with each other that it didn't phase either person. The server inquired what life event they were celebrating and she too was quite surprised to learn it was our first date. Eventually the night came to a close and like any true gentleman, he walked her back to her car. As they approached, she started digging in the purse for keys... or maybe it was a delay tactic. Chris seized the moment. He spun her around to face him and kissed her under the soft falling rain. They rest as they say, is history.
Chris only learned months later that several of Jamie's friend had been on standby to drive her home, "in case he sucked, the wine wouldn't!" Ha!
The Engagement
Chris proposed to Jamie April 8th, 2014 in Mazatlán, Mexico.
Chris took the ring to Mexico knowing he was going to propose, but didn't have an exact idea on the when or where and was going to "wing it". One of the evenings Jamie's family was going to head into to town for dinner at Cilantro's, Jamie "got the idea" to head into town an hour early for them to have some couples time. Chris recognized this was the opportunity he was looking for and scoped out the surrounding area on Google Maps. He spotted a walkway which extended out into the Pacific Ocean which close to the restaurant. Bingo! This was going to be the spot. After securing a table for the family, Chris suggested they take a stroll on the beach and they made their way to his destination.
As they got closer, Chris started to ask ‘odd’ questions of Jamie which started to make her suspicious. They strolled out onto the overlook with only the sound of the birds, waves, and wind as the backdrop for the moment. With the sunset on his back, Chris got down on one knee and asked Jamie to marry him. After the tears of joy cleared their eyes, she said yes!
Back at Cilantro's, they waited until everyone had arrived and settled in until Chris made the exciting announcement to her family. Everyone was surprised by this news, except her father who was aware of what was coming, as Chris had already asked for his permission.
Upon their return to Seattle, Chris and Jamie visited his parents for an impromptu dinner which was followed by a game of cards. When it was Chris’s turn to deal, he dealt the cards out to everyone and set their plan in motion. Earlier in the evening Jamie had taken another deck of cards and pulled out all the Diamonds, in addition to taking off the engagement ring. After receiving her dealt cards, Jamie remarked how it was odd she got all Diamonds. Stealthily, she slipped on her ring. She showed everyone the straight flush in her hand, revealed the ring, Chris’s parents caught on and were delighted with the news.
Mazatlán - Right after the proposal.