Welcome to our Love Story

We met at the gym in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Chris was patient in the process of courting me, however when the time was finally right we decided to go on our first date to the movies. I can still remember that date, being that it was almost five years ago. From then until now, I remember there never being any moments of doubt or regret with Chris. Our relationship has always felt right and has always come naturally to us. From the very first day we spent together, we became inseparable and that has continued to today. During that time I began to fall in love with the most caring and loving man I have ever known. He quickly became my best friend and soon after that, the love of my life. There are endless memories we have created together, so many that I will cherish forever. Although time has passed and so much has changed within our lives I truly feel that our journey in this life is only beginning. I truly thank God everyday for placing such a wonderful man in my life; one that calls to my soul. Chris will soon become my husband and I his wife. I have never been so sure of something in my entire life. I look forward to marrying the best man I have ever known, my soul mate, and my one true love.

It’s hard to tell the story of the day I said yes to my soul mate without giving the full story. The location of our engagement was a flash from our past. It all began in 2013 when Chris, myself, my best friend and her now husband went on a hiking trip. This trip was one of the first occasions that Chris and I went public with our relationship. There were a few weeks prior to this that we had kept our relationship private, unsure of where it would go. Our plan was to take this newly made hiking trail around Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The trail was estimated to be roughly two miles long. Well that two mile hike quickly turned into an eight mile hike. Although it sounds like a disaster, and at some points I believe we all felt that way, it was a trip that helped our relationship flourish. Chris, at the time, was a complete stranger to my friends, however by the end of the hike we all had become closer and have continued to do so since. I think back to that day and know why Chris chose that location to propose to me. At the time he didn’t know much about me but knew how much I cared for my best friend, and how close we were and continue to be to this day. On that trip he got a peek into my world and quickly learned how much those people meant to me.

This brings the timeline back to June 15th of 2017. Prior to the special day Chris proposed, I had been working in Ruidoso for two weeks while he was working in Albuquerque. Those of you that know Chris and I know we hate being apart. Being that it was in June, his birthday was coming up. Chris had asked for his birthday that we go to breakfast just him and I and then go on the hike around Grindstone again (of course the right one this time) . At first I was surprised by his suggestion, as it had been several years since we hiked that trail but knowing it was beautiful I was excited. I can still remember on that day my heart was so full and the weather was perfect. I was enjoying time with my love when he began to talk about our future as we had done many times before, so of course, I didn’t think anything of it. During our hike he asked us to stop to look over the lake and to take a break. At that moment, I still had no idea what was to come. Chris had been planning this day for many months and it was important to him that I be completely surprised, which I can honestly say I was. He had told me that he knew we were celebrating his birthday, however that he had gotten something for me. Once again I thought that for the time we were apart he must have gotten me something small for the time we had missed being together. I began to unwrap my gift when I came across the ring box and I just remember looking up and seeing him on one knee and speaking the sweetest words I had ever heard. Of course I said yes! I had known Chris was the one for a long time (shortly after our first hike together in 2013).

I know it may seem strange, however there is so much I have taken from our experiences between our first and our second hike together around Grindstone that I have related to our journey in life. For starters in the beginning I wasn’t sure of what would come of Chris and I and most certainly wasn’t expecting to find my soul mate at the age of 18. Just as we weren’t expecting a two mile hike to turn into an eight mile hike. Our relationship quickly turned into a journey that I hope would last a life time and beyond. On our eight mile hike there were many times we weren’t sure of the direction we were headed and somehow made it. I feel that in our relationship we have not always been certain of the decisions we made the only certainty we had was that as long we had each other we could face whatever might lie ahead of us. There have been some things I had never imagined happening; the loss of Chris's brother Mark being at the very top of that list. It was the hardest time of my life and I can only imagine the pain Chris experienced and will live with the rest of his life. Even after something that completely shattered our world, we have made it and continue to make it on a daily basis together as one. Our love only continues to grow stronger and richer. Sometimes in life one decision can change the outcome of everything. In my life, I am grateful I chose Chris... and I will continue to choose him for as long as I am able. I know that our journey has only began and there will be times that we may doubt ourselves or lose sight of the right direction, however regardless of what is to come I truly treasure every step I’ve taken with Chris by my side.