As most modern love stories begin, Mick and I found love on the internet. It was not love at first swipe, however. Let me walk you through March 7, 2021, the story of our first date. 

Before the first date, we realized we shared mutual friends (hi Hopi and Ferdie!) who in fact had tried to - unsuccessfully - set us up previously. Unsuccessfully, because Mick’s inaugural Tonkon Torp headshot resembled that of a used car salesman with a bounty of kids.  However, I was reassured by the familiarity of mutual friends, but still not totally convinced that going on this date was a good idea. Before the first date, Mick asked if we could meet close to his house, as he “didn’t have a car and was in between bikes right now.” I reluctantly agreed, much the urging of my friend, Rose, who browsed Mick’s Bumble profile and texted me “You just have to go. Just one date! He looks cute. Get married. How fun!” Oh Rose…if only we knew!

Fast forward to the next rainy, winter day when I downed a shot of tequila while my friend, Frannie, foraged through my closet helping me decide what to wear. I settled on the classic jeans and a black t-shirt, donned my puffy parka and drove to go meet this stranger at a dive bar in SE Portland. That stranger, I found, was cute and friendly, despite the weird fuzzy red things on his wrists. “What are those?!” I asked, completely unable to stifle my judgmental tone. “They’re wrist warmers that my coworker’s Korean grandmother hand knit for me,” Mick replied, “I also have a matching beanie.” Well, that’s awfully sweet, I thought, feeling a hint of guilt about my blatant distaste. 

The conversation carried easily, until mid date, when I suddenly overheard a group of people chanting in unison and slamming their fists on the picnic table near us. “Are they saying…your name?” I asked, slightly confused and equally amused. “Oh, yeah, those are my buddies,” Mick replied, “it’s my friend Jason’s birthday.” I glanced over to a table of people, smiling joyously and waving to us. As my mind pieced together the fact that this guy just had me meet him at a bar with a group of his friends, we were interrupted by the bartender handing us two shots with birthday sprinkles on them. We cheers’ed and chatted late into the evening.

As our relationship continued, and the dates got a little nicer, this bar became the backdrop to many of Mick and I’s most treasured times. It was there we talked about our ideological views, our families, our careers, whether or not we agreed on Mick’s fashion choices. It was where we gathered with friends, drank mediocre beer, pondered new recipes to make for dinner. It was the bar where I told Mick I loved him for the first time (he says I said it first, even though he knows he told me he loved me after three weeks). Although now, we frequent that dive bar way less, we have moved those conversations into other spaces we love - our home, our favorite restaurants, neighborhood wine bars, and our oasis at my family’s beach house. We are so excited to celebrate our love with so many of our dearest friends and family, who helped entwine our lives together so seamlessly. We cherish you and we cannot wait to party!

When I met Bri, we were smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic and I was treading a meandering path through life. Embarking on a life journey with a sassy, smart nurse who took no guff was not on my bingo card. However, in a moment of uncharacteristic wisdom, I decided to get my act together and pursue this firecracker. And, let me tell you, it took a bit of work to charm this Portland belle.

After a couple of dates at local dive bars…on outdoor patios…in winter (look, the wrist warmers are both debonair AND practical) - I upgraded the setting to a quaint Italian restaurant. Next thing you know, we were eating bagels and lox on the couch on Sunday mornings, watching Architectural Digest videos, and dreaming up all the ways to make a house into a home. These small, sweet moments gained momentum and soon I was invited to spend a weekend with Bri and her close friends at a beautiful cabin in Trout Lake, Washington (thanks for the invitation, Rose!) where I witnessed the magic of lifelong friendship and a warmth that perfectly underscored the meaningful bonds that Bri has forged throughout her life.

On the heels of our trip across the Columbia Gorge, we decided to adventure to New Mexico where Bri learned of my dedication to “always read the plaque” as we wandered around historic Santa Fe. We bought our first Christmas tree ornament together in a small shop off the plaza as we saw the future unfolding. After that, we road tripped from Santa Fe to Las Cruces, where Bri saw my old stomping grounds and acquainted herself with the expansive skies and afternoon storms of the American Southwest.

The following spring, she suggested we explore a slightly more tropical climate, and we took off to Kauai. I’ll never forget the unbridled love and gratitude I felt as we kayaked up Hanalei River and I knew I had found a lifelong adventure buddy and a best friend with a heart of gold.

We’ve now been to NYC three times together, which is a testament to our undying love of walking a cityscape, eating Italian food, and marveling at the wonder of theatre and art. Bri continues to surprise and delight me each time I see another facet of her luminous personality shine. On our first trip to the Big Apple, she sat completely enraptured by the three-hour revival of Death of a Salesman. I remember looking over at her as the curtains fell, feeling tremendous gratitude for her curiosity and open mind.

Sticking to a theme, we decided to take our love of pasta to the next level with a jaunt to central Italy last April. We spent two glorious weeks in the bel pasese, adventuring through Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany. While so many of you thought I would pop the question in a European paradise, I already had a perfect (and different) spot in mind.

In May 2021, a few months after we met, Bri invited me to visit her parents’ home in Surf Pines—the same place that we’ll walk down the aisle. I immediately thought it was the most wonderful corner of the globe. There was no question in my mind that it should be the gateway to our life together. All I had to do was concoct a plan involving a great white shark, bargain with a bald eagle, and convince Bri to walk for a mile in sideways rain. It worked.

Since that fateful winter night four years ago (See “Bri’s Version” for the deets), we have shared countless meals, drank innumerable bottles of wine, jet set across the globe, cried, laughed, and discovered the beauty of companionship. Ah, to be lucky in love.