Marie and Ben met in Salem, Oregon while attending Willamette University. Although the small liberal arts school had less that 2,000 students it took an 80s house party their Junior year for their paths to cross. Their love story started in a dimly lit basement and became the brightest part of their college career.
Their adventures together started that year, exploring new things like Vietnamese food for Ben, and attending football games for Marie. They also developed a love for hiking and it became a regular part of their relationship, along with post-hike beer and ice cream. After graduation Ben started graduate school at Portland State University and Marie stayed in Salem to work for the Marion-Polk County Food Share.
After a few years and many adventures together Ben thought it was time to make an honest woman out of Marie. So on a beautiful summer day in Oregon they took a day trip to Multnomah Falls. After sweating profusely on the way to the top (not all from the hike) Ben got down on one knee and asked Marie to spend the rest of their lives together. And she said yes! (Whew!)
Marie got into graduate school to study health care management at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and that brought the biggest change for our lovely couple so far. Marie set off as the pioneer to the foreign land of the South and Ben followed a few months later. They settled into life in Carrboro, North Carolina and even adopted a puppy.
Marie is wrapping up graduate school and will start working at the UNC Hospital as one of their administrative fellows. Ben is working as a budget analyst at Guilford County where he’s been since November of 2014.
Ben & Marie Wedding 