They were born and raised in Snohomish, lived only a few blocks from each other, and even went through first, second and third grade at the same time.
But Victoria Vail and Peter Courtney didn’t know each other until their sophomore year at Snohomish High School.
Victoria took a Chinese class and began to notice Peter. When the class took a trip to China, the two got to know each other.
“I thought he was cute and smart,” Victoria said. “We started talking and hit it off.”
Since then, Victoria and Peter have been inseparable. After high school, they both attended the University of Washington. They finished college a year apart and once they began their careers they moved into a house together. The couple then adopted Bruce, their great dane.
On Feb. 7 as Victoria was driving up to the couple’s house, she noticed something. It looked like the house was on fire. What she didn’t know was that Peter was inside ready with Chinese food, candles in the fireplace and a ring.
“It was Chinese New Year,” Victoria said. “It was Chinese-themed.”
When she opened the door Peter said, “I know you know what’s coming …” After eight years together Peter got down and proposed to Victoria.
Victoria Ashley Vail and Peter Jacob Courtney plan a June 13 wedding at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish. Ben Pratt, a friend of the couple, will officiate at the wedding.
Their parents are Randy and Terry Vail of Snohomish and Herb and Teresa Courtney of Snohomish.
Victoria works at Silicon Mechanics in Bothell. Peter works at Hacker Group in Seattle. They will live in Edmonds after their wedding.
Victoria says that she and Peter get along well and make a great team. She looks forward to buying a home, having children and building a family with him.
“It seems like a great next chapter,” Victoria said. “We’ve been dating for eight years.”
After dating for so long the couple does a lot together, including reading the same series of books, training Bruce and going to movies and dinner.
“Lately it’s been geocaching,” Victoria said.
Victoria describes Peter as funny, a person to whom everyone gravitates, and smart.
“He can talk about anything. He’s a typical great guy who is there for his family, friends and me whenever I need him,” Victoria said.
Victoria and Peter enjoy traveling together and have goals to visit places they have never been to before, someday perhaps traveling back to China.
“He has always been there for me,” Victoria said. “He’s the greatest guy.”
For information on Love Story and free Celebrations, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.
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