Kinsley and Julia met online during the tail end of pandemic lockdown in 2021. With vaccinations on the horizon, Julia had started going on a few "Zoom Dates" to explore the dating world again, and they had.... not been going well. She was ready to take a break and come back to dating in a few months when things were more normal, but she had one last Zoom date scheduled, and she figured she might as well finish up what she'd started.

That last date was different. The guy was funny and smart, they had read the same books, liked the same movies, and were active riders of their electric bikes. He was also from the Seattle area, and they shared a lot of the same favorite places. Several hours went by in a blink, and Julia knew right away -- this Kinsley person was going to be someone special. It turned out he even lived in her neighborhood -- just a few blocks away -- and they had several friends in common, but they hadn't ever met.

Because of the pandemic their early dating had to be creative. There were no restaurants or movie theaters to go to, so they settled for grocery shopping, Costco runs, and Netflix. Sometimes they say they "dated in reverse" -- starting with the simple domestic stuff and then getting to the dinner dates and trips way later on.

From those unusual beginnings, Julia and Kinsley grew to love each other and went together out of the pandemic and into the real world. They met each other's friends and family, traveled and explored together, and eventually moved in together in 2022 (right in the middle of Julia's first campaign for office). In 2023 they adopted their beloved cat Ernie, who will not be at the wedding but approves of the general idea.

On July 4, 2024, Julia and Kinsley rode their bikes onto the ferry to Vashon Island, one of their special places, and were looking forward to spending a few nights with friends. They stopped for lunch and then headed back to their bikes to finish the ride. Julia turned around to ask Kinsley a question and he was down on one knee. with a diamond ring in hand. Julia screamed. They spent a beautiful few days celebrating their engagement on the shores of the Puget Sound.

Julia and Kinsley can't wait to celebrate their love with you at their wedding.

Photos