Despite growing up 8.9 miles from each other, (yes, we mapped it), in Santa Rosa, California, Greg and Madison met in Seattle, Washington. As was customary for pandemic times (remember that everyone?), they met on a dating app.  Madison was at a horse show in Kentucky and slightly exaggerated about where she was and where she lived, not wanting to scare off Greg by admitting how far away she actually lived from Seattle. This led to her being late for the first three dates, but Greg stuck it out. Within two months of dating, Greg had demonstrated his superior problem-solving skills by off-roading his 4Runner out of a locked beach parking lot and getting a COVID test to come visit Madison while she horse showed in Canada. Madison was hooked and decided to move in to his apartment complex - the application was submitted before Greg was informed. To be clear, they were in separate buildings, so still a five minute walk away, but this made the commute to see each other much easier.

Since then, they have road tripped up and down the West Coast. They have run a marathon and a 70.3 Ironman (although more impressively flew 2 dogs and 2 bikes across the country to do so). Greg has taught Madison how to ski, Madison has taught Greg how not to fall off a horse. They grew their herd to three dogs and a cat. Greg graduated from the University of Washington with an MBA. They both got new jobs in new industries and have moved twice. They have driven, hiked, biked, run, skied, swam, jet-skied and ridden thousands of miles together and continue to love finding new adventures.

Greg popped the question on September 30th while they were at Sunset Beach, OR. All three dogs were playing when Moose brought Madison a special tennis ball that Greg had modified into a ring box. Before he could even get down on one knee, much less say anything, Madison had already said yes. The three dogs were all there to watch, although Moose was mostly concerned with when he could have his ball back and Harper was just excited to have stolen Moose’s other ball unnoticed.

Happily ever after kicks off in Maryland 2024.

07/20/24 - The KRICKLs