How we met
Our story begins as every great story does…
in prison
Once upon a time in an Oregon prison, a Correctional Officer was discussing dating with a few officers. In walked a Legal Library Services Manager who was pulled into the conversation. They were discussing his dating options. Some of them were warning him away from or towards Mexicans and Latinas. After hearing their advice and his responses, she proceeded to “politely” explain to him that he was best off ordering a bride/girlfriend from somewhere European.
“Because,” she explained, “you do not seem like the type that will be able to handle a spicy Mexican or Latina.
And if you cannot handle a Mexican or Latina, then you seriously cannot handle an Asian. They are crazier than the others.
And most especially you are not going to be able to handle an Islander. They are craziest of all. I would know… I am one of them.
So stick with the white options.”
To solidify her pearls of wisdom she even regaled him with a couple crazy stories about Islander dating, like that one time a friend “allegedly” set the guy she was talking to’s car on fire because he was talking to someone else. They weren’t even dating, just talking.
This did not discourage him.
After a few days of reflection, she realized what she said may have been offensive. She was positioning herself for a promotion and after all she did tell a grown man he couldn’t handle certain women and to order a girlfriend. She made the decision to professionally apologize for any offense before an HR complaint could be lodged.
A quick instant message in her most professional tone apologizing and wishing him the best of luck was sent.
KATRINA: Hi - Just wanted to reach out and sincerely apologize if anything I may have said offended you. I don't know your relationship status and was wrong to presume or offer my opinion. I do hope things work out for you and again apologize if my conversation was offensive and unprofessional.
ARIC: I don’t recall you saying anything that could be taken as offensive or unprofessional. I thought the conversation was pretty entertaining actually.
KATRINA:I’m glad to hear that.
ARIC: But if you think HR should be involved….
This annoyed her and she stopped being very professional. After several messages back and forth.
ARIC: If you ever want to give your opinion again in the future, I can always use good advice. Proceeded by his phone number.
A day later, on Valentine’s Day, he asked her to drinks the following evening.
The day after, they went on their first date.
The Proposal
After a long hot day spent in a jam packed auditorium the last thing Katrina expected was…
to be asked to be Aric’s wife.
Aric, Katrina, and the boys traveled to Seattle for Katrina’s graduation from the University of Washington. Before the trip, Katrina joked that Aric better not propose that weekend because she would already be emotional and likely cry.
Early Saturday morning, they headed to the auditorium. It was a hot summer day, and after three hours in the sweltering heat, the boys and Aric proudly watched Katrina walk across the stage to receive her Master’s degree.
After lunch, Aric insisted they return to campus for photos. “You only graduate with a Master’s once,” he told her. Together, they walked all over campus taking pictures—with the gown, without it, with the cap, without it, with the diploma, and without it. Katrina jokingly asked after every few photos, “Are we done yet?” Eventually the joke became a demand.
Except Aric had one more spot he wanted her to get pictures at. He led her to her favorite place on campus and a spot that held special meaning for them, it was one of the places they visited together on their first trip, the Suzzallo Library.
After taking a few more graduation photos, Aric asked one of the boys to take a picture of the two of them. A couple quick shots later, he asked for just one more. And then he dropped to one knee and asked Katrina, “Will you give me the honor of being my wife?”
Overcome with emotion and amazed that Aric would ask especially after an afternoon of her being a brat, she first said, “No….”
Which was followed immediately by her saying yes—and ugly crying.
The Guerrilla Wedding
First, it was the library they explored together on their first trip. Next, it was the library Aric asked Katrina to be his wife at. Now, it is
the library they were married at.
Shortly after their engagement, the couple started to discuss wedding planning. While waiting for July 4th fireworks and in between a couple bottles of wine they started throwing out all the ideas they had for a wedding. After several huge and small ideas, it was decided they wanted the wedding to be a reflection of them. Something meaningful and intimate with their closest people. Aric insisted it needed to be soon, “I don’t want to wait two years for you to be my wife.”
That when Katrina made the joke that they should get married at the Suzzallo library where they shared their fondest memories at, Aric instantly loved the idea and said let’s get it done.
A quick google search determined that the library did NOT allow weddings, but it was relatively easy to get a marriage license in Washington.
Katrina being the mastermind she is, proposed a simple plan, “We get the two witnesses and an officiant that we need, and then we find a corner of the library and just do it. We should be done before they could kick us out. It’ll be like soft-trespassing, just apologize and say we didn’t know it was not allowed.” Aric laughed and then said, “That is it. That is the plan! We’re getting married in the library!” Katrina responded with a giggle, “Soft trespassing, here we come!” They finished that night watching fireworks and planning.
On February 15, 2026 Aric & Katrina were officially married in a soft-trespassing, guerrilla wedding at the Suzzallo Library on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. They were joined by the officiant (Aric’s best friend) and his wife, two witnesses (Katrina’s best friend and her partner), and an amazing photographer who captured it all.
