Linsey & Aaron
March 15, 2025
In April 2023 we both were in the process of life transitions that were perfectly timed to bring us together. Linsey's coworker emailed her about a guy who she believed could be "the one." During the intro phone call, Linsey was put at ease by Aaron's inquisitive nature, and was further sold on a first date after Aaron listed all the magazines he subscribes to. What followed was a summer of epic dates.
As Aaron returned to Oakland after more than 20 years away, Linsey, a Bay Area transplant of as many years, planned most of the first dates to help reacquaint Aaron with his hometown. A lot of overthinking led to some choices that could have made for awkward first dates, including a solstice cemetery concert and a group tasting at a sake storehouse and museum. But Aaron didn't bat an eye and we both leaned into the experiences with ease and quick banter, energized by one another's curiosity.
With time, our dates could no longer be considered 'firsts,' and turned into dog walks, meals at home and with family, and a life together. We learned that the curiosity, fun, and ease continued on and the overthinking became a combined effort... wait, do we like how this section ends?
We both knew it was love early on, but kept it to ourselves well past the point of it being obvious. At the dog park one day in the fall, Aaron slowed down to get out of earshot of an unknown Corgi, and finally told Linsey he loved her. Linsey, upset that she didn't say it first, said it back.
A year later, on a lazy, hazy sort of Sunday, Aaron and Linsey set out for a day of grocery shopping capped by a visit to that very special dog park, Point Isabel. Linsey, whose rough week was made worse by her least favorite errand, was none the wiser that Aaron had a ring in his pocket at Whole Foods.
At Point Isabel, we always slow down when we get to the "I love you" stretch to get a little schmaltzy. Aaron slowed for longer that day and checked with Linsey that it was the right spot and, kicking up the cheesiness, said, "Then we've come full circle, because this is also where I asked you to marry me." It was a big 'yes' from Linsey and, after basking in the moment for 15 minutes and losing track of our dogs, we shrugged and said, "well, obviously." No overthinking needed for this decision.
Linsey & Aaron
Gallery