Romance, Friends of Trees style: Christina and Paul

CHRISTINA AND PAUL have more than 20 years of combined experience as Friends of Trees volunteers, both as Crew Leaders and now as neighborhood coordinators for Mt. Tabor/Montavilla. They just had a baby in January.

Where did you two meet?

PAUL: We met in the summer of 2009 at a friend’s house, over guitars, and got together on the New Year’s Day following. We got married under a tree (Christina will recall what kind) on Mt. Tabor this past New Year.
CHRISTINA: It was a large, red oak.

What do you like about volunteering together?

P: She’s got a lot of knowledge of tree identification and how to care for trees [Christina helps lead the City of Portland’s tree inventory]. She knows what she’s doing.
C: Aww, thanks. Sometimes it’s really nice as a couple, just because of the way we work together, it can be fun. It’s a lot more fun than doing it by myself. The main reason why we do it is just the aspect of community with Friends of Trees. Every time we do it we meet people.

Describe a perfect, romantic day.

C: I was trying to think of a romantic outing and was thinking even being at home hanging out is so sweet. We garden, play music, cook. Doesn’t matter where we go or do! We do like going on adventures, too. We go for short hikes, camping, and sail in the summer.
P: Every day is romantic and perfect.
C: Aww.

Read other couples’ stories:
Kasandra & Liv
Kirsten & Pete