Katharine & Carlton
10 . 25 . 2025
|
Portland, ME
Days Until Our Next Chapter Begins
How it began
We first crossed paths at work in 2016. Kat had joined the company as a conference coordinator; CJ was a web developer. Shortly after, Kat moved into sales, and from then on, our lives mostly ran in parallel—working on different floors, catching the occasional elevator together, and seeing each other at company outings on Peaks Island.
Years later, at a company holiday party in December 2022—held at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, where we’ll celebrate with you—a conversation at Top of the East changed everything. A friend nudged both of us, suggesting we grab coffee (two cute, eligible coworkers—what could go wrong?). We laughed it off in the moment, but after a bit of messaging on Teams the next day, Kat gave the greenlight to a mutual friend, and CJ followed through.
Not long after, we met for a drink at Little Tap House and discovered something neither of us had expected.
The Turning point
From the beginning, there was an ease—an incredible connection and an obvious spark that felt exciting and grounding all at once. Weekly dates turned into intentional time spent getting to know each other, and we quickly realized how aligned we were on the things that matter most.
We started taking turns planning dates—usually something new to one of us, a little adventurous, and the perfect way to connect. From axe throwing to tobogganing, concerts to art museums, every small adventure brought us closer together.
The Proposal
When CJ proposed, it brought everything full circle. He planned a walk down memory lane: starting at Little Tap House (our first date), then dinner at Boda (our first dinner), and finally Top of the East (where it all began).
Kat was convinced it would happen right away, so with every “not yet,” she grew a little more unsure. Meanwhile, CJ was feeling increasingly confident, convinced the pacing was perfect. By the time we made it to the porch at the end of the night, we were on completely different emotional wavelengths—but that was exactly the plan. It’s where CJ had arranged for the moment to be quietly captured on the Ring camera.
He asked (twice). She said yes.